Desperate Readers

VII. Subversive Voyeurism: The Ravishing of Lol Stein by Marguerite Duras

Niko and Tatiana welcome their first guest, Sophia, to discuss 20th century French literature. While tackling Le ravissment de Lol V. Stein (The Ravishing of Lol Stein), the three talk about desire, obsession, reality in fiction, and the works of Marguerite Duras.

VI. Go West, Irish Man: The Dead by James Joyce

Niko and Tatiana read the last story in James Joyce’s Dubliners. They discuss food, Irish heritage, and long lost loves in “The Dead.”
"The Dead" is easily accessible online at Project Gutenberg.

V. Make Your Marriage Bed and Lie in it: Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez

A classic why-dunnit. Niko and Tatiana talk about honor, the significance of marriage, Angela and Bayardo, and the death of Santiago Nasar in this short novella by Gabriel García Márquez.
Production notes: There is a consistent tapping noise in the background. Apologies in advance.

IV. Let’s Get Bacchic: The Bacchae by Euripides

In this episode Niko and Tatiana share a glass of wine to honor the god Dionysus while discussing ceremonial violence, bodily ecstasy, and the divine madness. This play is easily available online for your reading pleasure.

III: Duties and Resemblances: Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka

According to the Yoruba tradition in Nigeria, the King’s Horseman, Elesin, must die by ritual suicide 30 days after the king’s death. Conflict arises as District Officer Pilkings tries to put a stop to it with universe-altering effects—Niko and Tatiana discuss metaphysics, traditions, and dance in this multifaceted play by Wole Soyinka. In the last 10 minutes they discuss the film adaptation (now available on Netflix) and who they would want to cast in the play. The play is easily available online for your reading pleasure.
Production notes: We dive in pretty quickly to this episode and may have skipped over some plot details. Apologies in advance.

II: Heritage (or Raising the Bar): the Odyssey by Homer

Why is no one talking about the Odyssey by Homer? We discuss translation, violence, and the possibility of homecoming in the story that started story-telling.

I. Seaweed and the Abyss: 2666 by Roberto Bolaño

The podcast starts strong with the novel that opened the twenty-first century, 2666 by Roberto Bolaño. Niko and Tatiana introduce themselves and discuss the critics, Amalfitano, Fate, the murders, and Archimboldi.