Podcast Summary: The History of Literature Podcast
Episode Title: 725 The Trial by Franz Kafka (#21 GBOAT) | Edith Wharton and Patrick O'Brian (with Olivia Wolfgang-Smith) | An Uplifting Story
Host: Jacke Wilson
Release Date: August 14, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 725 of The History of Literature Podcast, host Jacke Wilson delves into a multifaceted discussion that intertwines literary classics with contemporary narratives. The episode primarily focuses on Franz Kafka’s The Trial, an exploration into its enduring relevance, and features an insightful conversation with novelist Olivia Wolfgang-Smith about her latest work, Mutual Interest. The episode weaves themes of literary influence, historical context, and character development, offering listeners a rich tapestry of literary analysis and creative inspiration.

Exploring Franz Kafka’s The Trial

Jack Wilson initiates the episode by presenting an uplifting story before transitioning into the literary analysis. He introduces The Trial as number 21 on the podcast’s list of the "25 Greatest Books of All Time," highlighting Kafka's pivotal role in 20th-century literature.

Key Discussion Points:

• Opening Analysis:
  Jack quotes the opening line of The Trial with attribution:

  “Someone must have traduced Josef K. for one morning without having done anything wrong, he was arrested.”
  (Timestamp: 10:05)
  He critically examines the ambiguity of the term "traduce," exploring its impact on the narrative’s interpretation.

• Themes of Absurdity and Bureaucracy:
  The discussion delves into the pervasive sense of absurdity and bureaucratic nightmare that Kafka infuses into the novel. Jack draws parallels between Kafka's portrayal of an oppressive system and Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic themes, particularly the fear of false accusation and loss of personal agency.

• Relevance Today:
  Jack emphasizes the timelessness of The Trial by asserting its continued relevance in modern society:

  “It's as relevant in 2025 as it was 100 years ago.”
  (Timestamp: 24:30)
  He discusses how Kafka’s themes resonate with contemporary anxieties about governmental power and individual freedoms.

• Critical Reception:
  The episode touches upon the initial mixed receptions of Kafka’s works, citing critic Edmund Wilson’s harsh critique:

  “Kafka's works started coming out in English in the late 1930s. His name was still virtually unknown… he is the half expressed gasp of a self-doubting soul trampled under.”
  (Timestamp: 15:20)
  Jack contrasts this with the enduring legacy Kafka has achieved posthumously.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack reflects on Paul's introspective nature:

  “I like his quote that his guitar is his psychiatrist. He talks to it and it talks back to him.”
  (Timestamp: 05:55)

• On the mysterious nature of Kafka’s narrative:

  “Nightmare Logic, the signs and symbols are empty. They suggest, but they don't signify.”
  (Timestamp: 22:10)

Interview with Olivia Wolfgang-Smith

The latter half of the episode features an engaging interview with Olivia Wolfgang-Smith, author of Glassworks and the upcoming novel Mutual Interest. Olivia discusses her literary inspirations, particularly the works of Edith Wharton and Patrick O'Brian, and how these influences shape her own storytelling.

Key Discussion Points:

• Introduction to Mutual Interest:
  Olivia describes her novel as a "queer Wharton pastiche," set in the early 20th century New York City. She introduces the main characters—Vivian Les France, Oscar Schmidt, and Squire Clancy—and explores their lavender marriage and complex business and romantic dynamics.

  “It's a story about characters who are really trying to make their own rules and carve out a space where they define their relationships and identities.”
  (Timestamp: 40:03)

• Setting in the Gilded Age:
  Olivia explains her choice of the Gilded Age, emphasizing its technological and social transformations that mirror contemporary existential challenges. She highlights the subway's debut in 1904 and the consolidation of New York’s boroughs as significant backdrops for her narrative.

• Literary Influences:
  Olivia articulates how Edith Wharton’s meticulous character development and Patrick O'Brian’s immersive naval settings inspire her writing style. She discusses the importance of an omniscient narrator, a technique reminiscent of 19th-century novels, which she employs to enrich her storytelling.

  “The best part is when they suddenly second guess themselves or realize they've misrepresented something. That's catnip for readers.”
  (Timestamp: 50:10)

• Character Development and Tropes:
  The conversation delves into how Olivia subverts traditional tropes to portray her queer protagonists authentically. She discusses the dynamic between her characters—their mutual support, vulnerabilities, and the blending of personal and professional realms.

• Historical vs. Modern Sensibilities:
  Olivia reflects on the challenges and liberties of writing historical fiction with modern sensibilities, particularly in representing sexual and gender identities that were marginalized in the Gilded Age.

  “Trying to replicate the experience of reading Wharton but with characters and relationships that resonate with a contemporary audience.”
  (Timestamp: 54:20)

Notable Quotes:

• On the psychological depth of characters:

  “This is like the kind of story and the kind of book that I wanted to put myself on the shelf among.”
  (Timestamp: 47:17)

• Regarding the relationship between Jack and Steven in Patrick O'Brian’s series:

  “They complete each other in ways that almost make them one person by the end.”
  (Timestamp: 70:20)

• On the influence of personal experiences on her writing:

  “This reminded me of that sense of a two-person bubble universe while the rest of the world is doing its own thing.”
  (Timestamp: 75:39)

Insights and Conclusions

The episode masterfully bridges the analysis of Kafka’s The Trial with the creative processes behind modern historical fiction. Jack Wilson and Olivia Wolfgang-Smith elucidate how timeless themes of bureaucracy, personal agency, and complex relationships continue to inspire and resonate across different literary periods. The discussion underscores the importance of narrative voice, historical authenticity, and character depth in crafting stories that are both reflective of their time and universally relatable.

Jack Wilson concludes by encouraging listeners to engage with the literary tour planned for 2026, reinforcing the podcast’s commitment to exploring literature both academically and experientially.

Additional Resources

• Visit the Podcast Tour:
  For those interested in joining the literary tour to London, Oxford, and Bath in 2026, visit historyofliterature.com or contact via email at jackwilsonauthormail.com.

• Follow Olivia Wolfgang-Smith:
  Learn more about Olivia’s work and her essay on Patrick O'Brian’s books on Lit Hub.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, and outros to focus solely on the substantive content of the episode.