Episode · The Book Review · 2019-10-04
Books mentioned on Ben Lerner's New Novel and the Politics of Language
Gilbert Cruz discussed The Topeka School by Ben Lerner, How to Fight Anti-Semitism by Bari Weiss, The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy, and Relish by Lucy Knisley. Garrett John Capp discussed Leaving the Atocha Station by Ben Lerner and others, 10:04 by Ben Lerner, and Reality Hunger by David Shields. Elizabeth Flock read We the corporations by Adam Winkler for a book club. Tina Jordan recommended 1222 by Anne Holt. John Williams recommended Will and Testament by Vigdis Hjorth. Greg Cowles recommended The Body in Question by Jill Ciment.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Topeka School
The Topeka School by Ben Lerner is a deeply resonant and intricate novel that explores the shifting tactics and complex politics of high school debate in the American Midwest during the 1980s and 1990s.
Discussed“Garris calberg will be here to talk about Ben learner's latest novel The Topeka school”
Where to get it
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How to Fight Anti-Semitism
How to Fight Anti-Semitism by Bari Weiss is a timely nonfiction book addressing the historical roots and contemporary resurgence of anti-Jewish prejudice.
Discussed“Barry Weiss will join us to talk about her book how to fight anti-Semitism”
Where to get it
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Leaving the Atocha Station
Leaving the Atocha Station by Ben Lerner is a critically acclaimed contemporary novel that follows an American poetry fellow in Madrid as he navigates art, language, alienation, and the aftermath of the 2004 Madrid train bombings.
Discussed“his first novel leaving Thea station which was published by a wonderful independent press out of Minneapolis just kind of came out of nowhere”
Where to get it
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10:04
Discussed“it was called 104 10 col 04 for those who don't know the title like waking up and seeing 104 flashing on an alarm clock”
Where to get it
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Reality Hunger
Discussed“but the brief which was propounded by most notably David Shield in reality hunger is that somehow we're all kind of tired of fiction stories plot character”
Where to get it
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The Mayor of Casterbridge
Thomas Hardy's classic novel The Mayor of Casterbridge was referenced across multiple episodes of The Book Review in July 2024.
Discussed“I notice you're reading the mayor of casterbridge”
Where to get it
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We the corporations
Adam Winkler's non-fiction work We the Corporations: How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights offers a comprehensive historical look at the long view of corporate rights in America.
Book club“our October book club pick is Adam Winkler's we the corporations how American businesses won their civil rights”
Where to get it
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1222
1222 is a gripping thriller novel by the Norwegian writer Anne Holt that strands a diverse group of train passengers in a massive blizzard, leading to a suspenseful locked-room style mystery.
Recommended“so I'm reading a book by the Norwegian Thriller writer Anne Holt called 1222”
Where to get it
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Will and Testament
Will and Testament is a contemporary novel by Norwegian author Vigdis Hjorth that explores complex themes of family trauma, memory, and inheritance.
Recommended“which is a new novel called will and testament by vigdis HTH”
Where to get it
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The Body in Question
The Body in Question by Jill Ciment is a remarkably short novel, described almost as a novella, featuring precise and artistic construction.
Recommended“I've got a book called The Body in question it's a novel almost a Nolla really it's a very short novel by Jill cement”
Where to get it
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Relish
Discussed“she's written some graphic travelogs too which I'm not including in this but her first one was called relish my life in the kitchen”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (6) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“and Ben Lerner's mother is Harriet learner the author of probably most famously the dance of anger”
“and he reviews this week on the cover of the book review Ben learner's new novel The Topeka School”
“f Barry Weiss's new book is called how to fight anti-Semitism”
“I mean I would even say Song of Solomon over beloved where it it's the writer is just trying to hold that much more in her grasp”
“I mean I would even say Song of Solomon over beloved where it it's the writer is just trying to hold that much more in her grasp”
“and it reminded me in some ways of the Jenny aul novel Department of speculation”