Episode · The Book Review · 2022-09-10
Jennifer Egan on The Book Review: books mentioned (Sep 2022)
Jennifer Egan and the Goon Squad
Gilbert Cruz discussed A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, The Candy House by Jennifer Egan, and Heroes by Stephen Fry. Stephen Fry discussed The trials of Oscar Wilde by H. Montgomery Hyde, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh, Enemies of promise and other essays by Cyril Connolly, Mythos by Stephen Fry, On Writing by Stephen King, and The Greek myths by Robert Graves.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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A Visit from the Goon Squad
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel told in a series of fragmentary, interconnected vignettes exploring time, music, ambition, and memory.
Discussed“this year she published her novel The Candy House a sort of sequel to a visit from the Goon Squad you don't have to read or reread goon squad to enjoy the candy house”
Where to get it
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The Candy House
The Candy House by Jennifer Egan is a compelling novel that functions as a structural sequel to A Visit from the Goon Squad, exploring themes of memory, technology, and interconnected lives.
Discussed“this year she published her novel The Candy House a sort of sequel to a visit from the Goon Squad you don't have to read or reread goon squad to enjoy the candy house”
Where to get it
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Heroes
Heroes by Stephen Fry is a popular retelling of classical Greek mythology that brings ancient legends to life with wit and narrative flair.
Discussed“his newest book is called Heroes the Greek myths reimagined”
Where to get it
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The trials of Oscar Wilde
Discussed“I saw a book called The Trials of Oscar wild I said oh I'll take that she said well I think you might be a bit young for that”
Where to get it
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Brideshead Revisited
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh is a classic British novel exploring nostalgia, memory, faith, and the aristocratic machinations of the English upper class during the interwar period.
Discussed“and Evelyn War the British novelist a male Evelyn he wrote Brides head Revisited and Decline and fall and many extraordinary satirical novels and again absolute master of pros”
Where to get it
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Decline and Fall
Evelyn Waugh's classic satirical novel Decline and Fall showcases the author's mastery of prose and biting wit through the misadventures of its unassuming protagonist and eccentric cast.
Discussed“and Evelyn War the British novelist a male Evelyn he wrote Brides head Revisited and Decline and fall and many extraordinary satirical novels and again absolute master of pros”
Where to get it
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Enemies of promise and other essays
Enemies of Promise by Cyril Connolly is a celebrated work of literary criticism and essays examining the various personal, social, and aesthetic pitfalls that threaten to derail a writer's career.
Discussed“sir Conelly who was a great critic founded Horizon magazine and he was a friend of all the writers of the Bloomsbury group and many others in the 20th century he wrote a book called the enemies of Promise in the first half of which he talks about two types of writing”
Where to get it
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Mythos
Mythos by Stephen Fry is a contemporary retelling of classical Greek mythology that brings ancient pantheons and legendary tales to life with modern wit and accessible storytelling.
Discussed“in fact even we're going to come on to these books on Greek myths at one point but funny enough when I was writing the first one Mythos I I was about halfway through it when I suddenly heard”
Where to get it
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On Writing
On Writing by Stephen King is a celebrated memoir and masterclass that blends the author's personal experiences with practical, no-nonsense advice for aspiring writers.
Discussed“and and Stephen King wrote a book didn't he about his style guide as it were yes on writing and again you know no adverbs no this no that”
Where to get it
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The Greek myths
The Greek Myths by Robert Graves is a comprehensive, two-volume reference work that retells classical Greek mythology while providing extensive commentary and anthropological context.
Discussed“apart from Robert Graves who was hugely influential who wrote a magnificent two volume edition of the Greek myths”
Where to get it
