This week, our hosts Kofi, Sylvia, and Laura take a deliciously taboo deep dive into the books that mess us up—in the best way. From Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! to Nabokov’s Lolita, Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Yanagihara’s A Little Life, we’re talking about the reads that leave you gutted, haunted, and somehow... wanting more.
Why do we love books that break all the rules? What do these messy, morally complex stories say about the world—and about us? Buckle up for a bumpy ride through trauma, obsession, broken systems, and beautiful prose.
Because let’s be honest: the more f’d up the book, the deeper the obsession.
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33:40
The Parade by Dave Eggers
In this episode, Kofi, Sylvia, and Laura discuss Dave Eggers’ novel, The Parade (2019). They dive into the allegorical story about two men, Four and Nine, who are charged with paving a road between two cities in a country that had been ravaged by war.
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29:10
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
In this episode, Kofi, Sylvia, and Laura discuss The Vegetarian by Han Kang, translated by Deborah Smith. They talk about the novel's themes and the controversy around its translation. Han Kang is a South Korean author. She is the recipient of this year’s Nobel Prize in literature.
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25:50
Joyful Readings
In this episode, Kofi, Sylvia, and Laura share their thoughts on readings that inspire joy or delight. They mention The Book of Delights by Ross Gay, What Comes Next and How to Like it by Abigail Thomas, One Man’s Meat by EB White, An Alphabet for Gourmets by MFK Fisher, and “Vertigo” by Les Murray.
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26:44
James by Percival Everett
In this episode, Kofi, Sylvia, and Laura report back on their summer reading and dive into a discussion of James by Percival Everett. Spoiler Alert: We do talk about the ending of James!
Discover your next literary adventure with HCC English professors Kofi Adisa, Sylvia Lee, and Laura Yoo! Dive into thought-provoking discussions about books and get expert recommendations for your next captivating read. Fuel your imagination and expand your literary horizons with these insightful educators
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