Michael and Ethan continue their discussion of The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich, while drinking Jura 12yo single malt.

In this episode:

Who is the real fool: the fool or the fool who edits him?

A bespoke toast, or, the most work anyone has ever done to prep for this podcast

Does the adjective “ghost” actually indicate simply the inclusion of a ghost, or does it mean something more?

Is a ghost actually a vampire? Are novels vampires? Is COVID a vampire? Is COVID a ghost? Is a novel a ghost? Is this podcast a ghost? Will Michael slip and say “vampire”? If he does, will Ethan notice?

Parameters of author self-insert technique

Paradoxes of being essential

Unparsability: a definitely real word

Obligatory Hamlet reference (but this one’s pretty good)

Ghosts as political actors

Next time Michael and Ethan will begin to discuss Beloved, by Toni Morrison! Join the discussion! Go to the Contact page and put "Scotch Talk" in the Subject line. We'd love to hear from you! And submit your homework at the Michael & Ethan in a Room with Scotch page.

Donate to our Patreon!

BUY A NIHILIST BLANKET!

Your Hosts: Michael G. Lilienthal (@mglilienthal) and

Ethan Bartlett (@bjartlett)

MUSIC & SFX:

"Kessy Swings Endless - (ID 349)" by Lobo Loco. Used by permission.

"The Grim Reaper - II Presto" by Aitua. Used under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License.

"Thinking It Over" by Lee Rosevere. Used under an Attribution License.