Podcast Summary: Hardcore Literature, Episode 83 - Reflecting on Reading the Great Books in 2024

Release Date: December 29, 2024
Host: Benjamin McEvoy

Introduction

In Episode 83 of Hardcore Literature, host Benjamin McEvoy takes listeners on a reflective journey through the past year's literary explorations. Departing from the usual deep dives into specific books, this episode serves as a consolidation of the book club's readings, personal growth, and insights garnered from engaging with some of the greatest works ever written.

Year in Review: Reading and Personal Growth

Benjamin McEvoy begins the episode by outlining his annual tradition of reviewing the books read over the year and assessing personal development across various life domains. This structured reflection allows for setting meaningful goals for the upcoming year.

“We use our books, the books we read across the year, they scaffold on to key moments in our life and in our personal development, our psychological, intellectual, spiritual, emotional development.”
— 00:05

McEvoy emphasizes the interconnectedness of reading and personal growth, highlighting how each book contributes to different facets of one's life.

The Shakespeare Project

A significant highlight of the year was the Shakespeare Project, an ambitious endeavor to navigate the complete works of Shakespeare in a proposed chronological order.

Project Methodology

Participants were encouraged to grade each play from A to F or rate them IMDb-style out of 10, inspired by Kurt Vonnegut's grading system for literature. This subjective assessment fosters personal engagement and critical thinking about each play's impact.

“You bring your subjective feelings to the work. How do you feel about 'The Taming of the Shrew'? How do you feel about 'Henry V'? Do you feel about these fantastic characters?”
— 22:15

Additionally, readers were tasked with isolating a passage that resonated most with them, aiding in the consolidation of their aesthetic experiences.

Impact and Progress

The project has significantly grown, nearing completion with just a few plays left. McEvoy expresses immense pride and satisfaction with the community's participation and the profound insights gained through this immersive study.

“It is a saga to follow Will's life, his life in the works all the way through. And at time of recording we have a few more plays to get through before we've read everything the Bard has ever penned.”
— 17:30

Overview of Books Read Throughout the Year

McEvoy provides an extensive overview of the diverse range of literature tackled by the Hardcore Literature Book Club over the past year, spanning classics to modern masterpieces.

1. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Kicking off the year, Steinbeck's sweeping saga delved into themes of good versus evil, drawing parallels with biblical narratives like Cain and Abel.

“How do you feel about the Taming of the Shrew? How do you feel about Henry V? How do you feel about these fantastic characters? Iago, Cleopatra, Hamlet, Macbeth?”
— 22:15

2. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

This work introduced members to magical realism, contrasting sharply with previous Russian literature readings, and underscored the resilience of great art under oppressive regimes.

“Great art often needs to go underground. And great art springs from great pain, from great suffering.”
— 45:10

3. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Whitman's poetry offered an uplifting counterbalance to the more somber works, emphasizing personal contribution and the affirmation of life.

“You can contribute a verse. That's his philosophy. Life is a grand pageant. It's a grand procession.”
— 31:40

4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Despite initial challenges, Austen's exploration of social dynamics and personal growth became a beacon of psychological healing and escapism.

“Jane Austen offers us healing. I feel like she heals the rift between many and women and she heals the rift in our hearts.”
— 37:55

5. Plays of Molière

Molière's comedies of manners provided a complementary exploration of societal satire, enhancing understanding of character-driven narratives.

“He writes comedies about everyday people, like domestic comedies... He was very popular as a comic.”
— 42:20

6. The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu

Venturing into Eastern literature, this epic highlighted the depth and longevity of long-form storytelling, emphasizing character development over time.

“The long form is king, and it pretty much always has been.”
— 52:05

7. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

A challenging postmodern novel, Infinite Jest explored themes of communication and addiction, enriched by Kafkaesque influences.

“The novel is a communication device. This whole book is about communication, or lack of communication.”
— 60:45

8. Short Stories by Franz Kafka

Kafka's bizarre and nightmarish narratives provided profound metaphors for the human condition, enhancing the group's analytical skills.

“Kafka's stories are unique because they are bizarre, absurdist night nightmares that ring true.”
— 65:30

9. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

Morrison's work delved into identity and heritage, intertwining African mythology with personal liberation and self-discovery.

“The key image of flight in the novel... she is interested in the literal story, the phenomenon, the literal flight phenomenon.”
— 73:10

10. Dante's Inferno

Aligning the reading with seasonal changes, Inferno offered an allegorical descent into the self, promoting moral introspection and purification.

“We must descend in order to ascend. That's what stays with me when I reconsider Dante's Inferno.”
— 80:20

11. Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Hardy's poetic prose and pastoral settings provided a serene yet profound exploration of love and nature.

“With that book, we found poetry in prose. As E.M. Forster said, Thomas Hardy as a novelist was essentially a poet who conceived of his novels from a great height.”
— 85:15

12. Foundational Thinkers: Montaigne, Nietzsche, Machiavelli, Freud

Engaging with essayists and philosophers enriched the group's understanding of literature's philosophical underpinnings and psychological dimensions.

“Montaigne is required reading for anybody who wants to pen great nonfiction, great works of autobiography, great articles.”
— 95:45

Insights and Themes

Throughout the year, several overarching themes and insights emerged from the collective reading experiences:

Long-form vs. Short-form Literature

McEvoy advocates for the depth and connection fostered by long-form literature, contrasting it with the fleeting nature of short-form media. He underscores the enduring appeal of expansive narratives that allow readers to develop profound relationships with characters.

“A book is great in direct proportion to how fully you can reread it and drop back in and hang out with the characters.”
— 58:50

The Influence of Classic Works and Pioneers

Drawing from the Bible, Shakespeare, and other foundational texts, the episode highlights how these works continue to shape modern literature and personal philosophies.

“We can trace so much of our great literature back to the Bible.”
— 19:25

Scriptural Reading Approach

McEvoy promotes a method of deep, contemplative reading akin to scriptural study, encouraging listeners to engage with literature on a spiritual and emotional level.

“Read books like East of Eden and Anna Karenina. Read The Brothers Karamazov like Scripture.”
— 24:40

Communal Reading Benefits

Emphasizing the power of community, McEvoy highlights how shared readings and discussions enhance understanding and provide support through challenging literary works.

“With the Hardcore Literature Book Club, you can read a section of a book, and then you can come, you can listen to what I have to say about it, but you can also see what other readers have to say.”
— 20:00

Personal Development Through Reading

The diverse selection of books served as catalysts for personal transformation, fostering intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth among participants.

“Deep reading is work, but it's also play. It's joyful, joyful play. And the moments in which I've wrestled most ferociously over my works... often intersect with the times in which I've had the most fun.”
— 35:00

Conclusion and Looking Forward

As the episode draws to a close, McEvoy reflects on the invaluable experiences of the past year and sets the stage for the upcoming year's literary journey. He extends an invitation to listeners to join the Hardcore Literature Book Club via Patreon, promising continued exploration of monumental literary works and fostering a warm, passionate community.

“Have a little reflect around this festive period. It's a really good time of year to take stock and look back over the year, just gone. And then once you've done that, you can then look forward.”
— 100:00

McEvoy expresses heartfelt gratitude to participants, celebrating their collective love for great literature and encouraging ongoing engagement with profound literary endeavors.

“Thank you for listening today and thank you so much for reading with me. Thank you for continuing to keep these books alive, and thank you for sharing your deep love of great literature with me.”
— 103:55

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Personal Growth Through Reading:
  “We use our books, the books we read across the year, they scaffold on to key moments in our life and in our personal development, our psychological, intellectual, spiritual, emotional development.”
  — 00:05

• On Subjective Engagement with Shakespeare:
  “You bring your subjective feelings to the work. How do you feel about 'The Taming of the Shrew'? How do you feel about Henry V? Do you feel about these fantastic characters?”
  — 22:15

• On Magical Realism in The Master and Margarita:
  “Great art often needs to go underground. And great art springs from great pain, from great suffering.”
  — 45:10

• On Whitman's Uplifting Influence:
  “You can contribute a verse. That's his philosophy. Life is a grand pageant. It's a grand procession.”
  — 31:40

• On Jane Austen's Healing Power:
  “Jane Austen offers us healing. I feel like she heals the rift between many and women and she heals the rift in our hearts.”
  — 37:55

• On Kafkaesque Themes:
  “Kafka's stories are unique because they are bizarre, absurdist night nightmares that ring true.”
  — 65:30

• On Long-form Literature:
  “A book is great in direct proportion to how fully you can reread it and drop back in and hang out with the characters.”
  — 58:50

• On Communal Reading:
  “With the Hardcore Literature Book Club, you can read a section of a book, and then you can come, you can listen to what I have to say about it, but you can also see what other readers have to say.”
  — 20:00

• On Scriptural Reading Approach:
  “Read books like East of Eden and Anna Karenina. Read The Brothers Karamazov like Scripture.”
  — 24:40

• On Reflection and Forward Planning:
  “Have a little reflect around this festive period. It's a really good time of year to take stock and look back over the year, just gone. And then once you've done that, you can then look forward.”
  — 100:00

Final Thoughts

Episode 83 of Hardcore Literature serves as a testament to the transformative power of literature. Through reflective analysis and communal engagement, Benjamin McEvoy and his book club have navigated a diverse literary landscape, enriching their lives and fostering a deeper appreciation for the written word. As they look forward to the next year's readings, the invitation remains open for new members to join this enriching literary journey.

Join the Conversation:
Share your thoughts and experiences with the Hardcore Literature Book Club by visiting patreon.com/hardcoreliterature. Engage with a passionate community that thrives on the love of great books and profound discussions.

End of Summary