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The Common Reader

Henry Oliver
Shakespeare
Capitalism
Iris Murdoch
Ayn Rand
Atlas Shrugged
Jane Austen
The Sea, the Sea
George Eliot
Narcissism
Love
Masculinity
Peter Pan
Literature
Collectivism
Individualism
Libertarianism
Leo Tolstoy
Thomas De Quincey
Muriel Spark
Middlemarch

Literary discussion www.commonreader.co.uk

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes37Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksSociety & CultureArts

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Latest Episodes

Hermione Lee is the renowned biographer of Virginia Woolf, Edith Wharton, Penelope Fitzgerald, and, most recently, Tom Stoppard. Stoppard died at the end of last year, so Hermione and I talked about the influence of Shaw and Eliot and Coward on his w... more

This episode of The Common Reader podcast is a little different. I spoke to both Jeffrey Lawrence and Julianne Werlin about literature, politics, and the future of the academic humanities. Questions included: what do we mean when we talk about litera... more

Tuesday is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, so today I spoke to John Mullan, professor of English Literature at UCL, author of What Matters in Jane Austen. John and I talked about how Austen’s fiction would have developed if she had not ... more

I was delighted to talk to Rebecca Lowe, who is, like me, a great admirer of Solvej Balle’s On the Calculation of Volume series. We discussed Calculation as a philosophical novel: how it’s narrative voice is like that of a philosopher, the thought-ex... more

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Recent Guests

Catherine Lacey
Famous novelist and substack writer
Episode: Video of my discussion with Catherine Lacey about Iris Murdoch's The Sea, The Sea
Clare Carlisle
Philosopher at King's College London and biographer.
King's College London
Episode: Clare Carlisle: George Eliot's Double Life.
Natasha Joukovsky
Novelist and Substack writer who consults at Accenture.
Accenture
Episode: Natasha Joukovsky: literature, capitalism, and Jane Austen.

Host

Henry
Host of discussions around literary works, sharing insights and engaging with authors and critics.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 30 ratings
  • Incredibly refreshing

    Podcasts are almost entirely hosted by gawping clowns desperately trying to flog their lame jokes and feeble opinions. This is so totally unlike anything else I have heard on a podcast platform - the closest thing I can liken it to is The Rest is History. But minus the slightly tedious joshing. And it’s serious - unashamedly concerned with literature and the aesthetic. Quite unsuited to the times, and one of the reasons I like it so much.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dfg 325
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Great literary podcast, with a techy twist

    Love the lack of faff, the great questions (second best after Tyler imho), and fantastic guests who I’ve not usually heard of. Keep going Henry!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Flaahton2003
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its thoughtful discussions that are refreshingly devoid of frivolity.
The format is praised for its ability to incorporate complex literary topics while remaining accessible to a general audience.

Top Books Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hermione Lee: Tom Stoppard. “It’s Wanting to Know That Makes Us Matter”
Q: What does Stoppardian mean?
Stoppardian describes works that are witty, intellectually dazzling, and filled with verbal energy, but it also encompasses deeper themes of grief and mortality.
Hermione Lee: Tom Stoppard. “It’s Wanting to Know That Makes Us Matter”
Q: How important is the idea of the quest to the way you work, and also to the way you read Stoppard?
The idea of the quest is central to understanding Stoppard's work and is mirrored in biographical work, as it emphasizes the importance of understanding an individual through knowledge.
Hermione Lee: Tom Stoppard. “It’s Wanting to Know That Makes Us Matter”
Q: What sort of influence did T. S. Elliot have on him? Did it change the dialogue or was it something else?
Elliot's influence is noticeable in Stoppard's work, especially in the tone and themes of feeling like an outsider, with echoes of Elliot present in plays like Rosencrantz.
Hermione Lee: Tom Stoppard. “It’s Wanting to Know That Makes Us Matter”
Q: How shavian is Stoppard's work?
Stoppard's work is similar to Shaw's in terms of delighting in intellectual debate, but he differs by presenting multiple sides to an argument without a clear moral resolution.
Literature, politics, and the future of the humanities
Q: What is the relationship between literature and Marxism in academia?
Marxism has become more philosophical and alienated from traditional concerns about labor and economics, leading to confusion and a perception that modern Marxism is disconnected from practical politics.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Common Reader

What is The Common Reader about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features engaging discussions centered on literature, intertwining literary analysis with contemporary cultural reflections. Notable topics include in-depth explorations of classic works from authors like Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and T.S. Eliot, as well as conversations around significant literary figures and their impacts on society. Episodes may tackle themes such as identity, power dynamics, and the intersection between literature and current events, making it a unique space for listeners interested in both literary scholarship and its real-world implications. The format emphasizes thoughtful dialogue with authors, academics, and literary critics, creating an intellectually stimulating environment for those passionate about... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Common Reader?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Common Reader:

1. Conversations with Tyler
2. EconTalk
3. The LRB Podcast
4. In Our Time
5. Past Present Future

How many episodes of The Common Reader are there?

The Common Reader launched 4 years ago and published 37 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Common Reader?

Recent guests on The Common Reader include:

1. Catherine Lacey
2. Clare Carlisle
3. Natasha Joukovsky

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