Reviewing Roland Topor's "The Tenant', which is a French novel exploring primarily identity. It follows protagonist Trelkovsky and narrates his descent into madness, which raises questions about his identity and how it's molded by alienation, p

Gothic Fiction - Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". Part III, Episode III.

Oct 26th, 2020 15m 40s

The venerable Dr. Jekyll, the ignominious Mr. Hyde, the dark, clammy streets of 19th-century London... they're all best enjoyed with a glass of Redbreast 15! This episode, I review the horror fiction classic - The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and

Gothic Fiction - Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". Part III, Episode II.

Oct 14th, 2020 11m 30s

Monsters, doctors, murders! Are they all one and the same? This week I discuss Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" in all of its Gothic and Romantic glory, while touching on themes of loneliness, companionship, fervor, and of course, beer!

Gothic Fiction - Robert Nye's "The Life And Death of My Lord Gilles de Rais". Part III, Episode I.

Oct 9th, 2020 12m 50s

The perfect Christian, demons, chateaus, Joan of Arc, and alchemy! To kick off October, I review Robert Nye's masterpiece 'The Life and Death of My Lord Gilles Rais', a historical fiction telling the story of Joan Of Arc's right-hand man. Dicho

Magical Realism - Machado de Assis' "Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas" or "Epitaph of a Small Winner". Part II, Episode I.

Aug 18th, 2020 21m 24s

This week we have Brazilian legend Machado de Assis' magnum opus (debatable), Epitaph of a Small Winner. Escapades, ruminations, absurdity abound. Listen for a fun kick-off to Part II!

French Bastards - Jean Lorrain's 'Monsieur de Bougrelon'. Part I, Episode III.

Aug 5th, 2020 20m 59s

Reviewing French Decadent Fin de siècle novel "Monsieur de Bougrelon', written by Jean Lorrain in the late 19th century. Brilliant imagery and prose abound, Monsieur de Bougrelon is brilliantly written and surely matched with an equally interes

French Bastards - Jean-Paul Sartre's "Nausea". Part I, Episode II.

Jul 28th, 2020 15m 8s

We review existentialist classic Nausea written by Jean-Paul Sartre in 1938. Which drink could possibly accompany a novel of such unique, daunting, and horrible nature?

French Bastards - Michel Houellebecq's Serotonin. Part I, Episode I.

Jul 23rd, 2020 15m 1s

Episode 1 of Part I: French Bastards. John Wesley reviews the ever-contentious Houellebecq and his latest novel Serotonin. He finishes the episode with a glass of... listen to find out!

Books And Booze: An Introduction Episode

Jul 20th, 2020 6m 6s

Why? And also, what? I introduce myself (briefly) and review what this pod is about: What will each episode entail? What is included in a book review? What are we drinking? Listen to this short introduction episode to find out!

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