Best Classic Literature Podcasts (2024)

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669B: Interlude 13:31

28m ago13:31

13:31

Ep. 669B: Interlude This week, we're hitting the pause button on our usual programming. But don't worry, we've got a special treat for you—an Interlude filled with your wonderful voicemails and email, and some messages from Heather herself. We hope you enjoy this little break with us, and we can't wait to be back with you next week! ---------------…

1
John Webster's Sensational The Duchess of Malfi 39:33

1d ago39:33

39:33

Send us a Text Message. Let's head back to the theatre for a really blood-soaked tragedy! And while we're at it, let's think about the intersection between art and social criticism. Support the Show. Please like, subscribe, and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever you listen. Thank you! Email: classicenglishliterature@gmail.com F…

1
669: Ch 41 — Emma 54:46

1d ago54:46

54:46

Ep. 669: Lonely Closets | Chapter 41 / Volume 3, Chapter 5 Book talk begins at 12:08. In this exciting chapter, we get a little of Mr. Knightley’s viewpoint! Mr. Knightley suspects symptoms of attachment between Frank (Who he does not like) and Jane, which Emma happily pooh-poohs. Plus, a quick discussion on the extinction of third places and the f…

1
668: Ch 40 — Emma 46:01

8d ago46:01

46:01

Ep. 668: Tech Wisdom | Chapter 40 / Volume 3, Chapter 4 Book talk begins at 6:32. Today’s episode is short and sweet. Emma tries very hard to learn her lesson. Additionally, we ask the question, “Why is Google stupid all of a sudden?” and discuss how difficult it is to achieve real in-depth knowledge with tech. -------------------------------------…

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Flesh and Spirit: The Writing of John Donne 40:49

17d ago40:49

40:49

Send us a Text Message. Poet and priest John Donne's work seems to transcend its early 17th century moment and feels as fresh and alive to us as anything written today. In this episode, we look at the following texts: "The Bait" "Elegy 19: To His Mistress Going To Bed" "Batter my heart" "Death, be not proud" "The Flea" "A Valediction: Forbidding Mo…

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667: Ch 39 — Emma 31:24

11d ago31:24

31:24

Ep. 667: Thank You For Your Faith | Chapter 39 / Volume 3, Chapter 3 Book talk begins at 5:49. Thank you for having faith in the stories that we listen to on CraftLit, for loving creation, and for sacrificing your time to great literature. --------------------------------------------------------------- • • • by • • CraftLit’s socials: • Find everyt…

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666: Chs 37-38 — Emma 1:09:34

19d ago1:09:34

1:09:34

Ep. 666: Cloud Fail | Chapters 37-38 / Volume 3, Chapters 1-2 Book talk begins at 17:05. And now for the beginning of volume 3! Things start to come together. Emma doesn’t like the idea that she's just like Mrs. Elton, and Jane Austen leaves us some important foreshadowing at the end of our chapters. ------------------------------------------------…

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"Drink to me only with thine eyes": Ben Jonson's Lyrics 27:28

1M ago27:28

27:28

Send us a Text Message. Today, we'll wrap up our Jonsonian mini-series by looking at some his lyrics, including poems from the 1616 Works and songs from his plays. If you'd like to read along, just ask Uncle Google to serve up these titles: "On Something, that Walks Somewhere" "On My First Daughter" "On My First Son" "Song: To Celia" "Still to be N…

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665: Chs 35-36 — Emma 1:16:27

29d ago1:16:27

1:16:27

Ep. 665: Point and Picken | Chapters 35-36 / Volume 2, Chapters 17-18 Book talk begins at 11:51. We’ve reached the last 2 chapters of volume 2! In this episode, we read a part of Jane Austen’s famous letter to her niece and generally just try to survive Mrs. Elton. --------------------------------------------------------------- • Mary BROOKS Picken…

51
664: Chs 32-34 — Emma 2:33:25

1M ago2:33:25

2:33:25

Ep. 664: OPTs | Chapters 32-34 / Volume 2, Chapters 14-16 Book talk begins at 13:19. Chapter audio is at 50:37. Post-chapter book talk is at 1:46:56. This week’s episode is loaded with Jane Fairfax’s tact, Mr. Knightley’s dry sarcasm, and Emma’s snarky comebacks. That—plus some stuff about Hartfield and Maple Grove—and so much more! ---------------…

51
663: Chapters 29-31 — Emma 1:26:06

1M ago1:26:06

1:26:06

Ep. 663: Mildred and Lacey | Chapters 29-31 / Volume 2, Chapters 11-13 Book talk begins at 13:45. Frank’s charm starts to fade. Emma begins to see the consequences of her meddling. But old habits die hard, and Emma starts thinking, maybe Frank could be useful in mending Harriet’s broken heart… -------------------------------------------------------…

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English Comes to America 41:12

2M ago41:12

41:12

Send us a Text Message. It's Independence Day here in America, so today's show takes the opportunity to look at some of writing of early English colonists in New England and how their ideas contributed to the national ethos that would emerge in the coming centuries. Additional music from Internet Archive: "Stars and Stripes Forever." John Philip So…

101
662: Chs 27-28 — Emma 1:08:13

2M ago1:08:13

1:08:13

Ep. 662: Buckle Up For Bates | Chapter 27-28 / Volume 2, Chapter 9-10 Book talk begins at 7:59. This delightful episode is a fun one! We talk recipes, music, and enjoy a lovely slice of life description of Highbury. --------------------------------------------------------------- • Mildred's ! • • • • • • • • • • Last chance! Join our June raffle gi…

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661: Chapter 26 — Emma 1:15:55

2M ago1:15:55

1:15:55

Ep. 661: Mildred | Chapters 26 / Volume 2, Chapter 8 Book talk begins at 10:04. Emma's agenda for today: Chat with Frank. Play the piano. Shut down the idea of Knightley having the hots for Jane. --------------------------------------------------------------- • • • • • • • • Pg 127 of the book • • • Mildred! • Time is running out! Join our June raf…

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"A Pretty Kind of Game": Ben Jonson's Volpone and The Alchemist 34:06

2M ago34:06

34:06

Send us a Text Message. We'll finish our look at Ben Jonson's comedies today with perhaps his most well-regarded efforts: Volpone, or The Fox and The Alchemist. Additional music: "In Town Tonight" by Eric Coates, perf. Reginald Dixon. From the Internet Archive. Support the Show. Please like, subscribe, and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google…

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660: Chapters 24-25 — Emma 1:08:07

2M ago1:08:07

1:08:07

Ep. 660: The Franky Doth Protest Too Much | Chapters 24-25 / Volume 2, Chapters 6-7 Book talk begins at 9:08. --------------------------------------------------------------- • Join our June raffle giveaway of the ! • CraftLit’s socials: • Find everything here: • Join the newsletter: • Podcast site: • Facebook: • Facebook group: • Pinterest: • TikTo…

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659: Chapters 22-23 — Emma 1:08:56

3M ago1:08:56

1:08:56

Ep. 659: But Have You Tried Yoga? | Chapters 22-23 / Volume 2, Chapters 4-5 Book talk begins at 12:17. This is some of the snarkiest Jane Austen writing we've seen—and that says a lot. In this episode, we enjoy two chapters worth of just snark and sass about Mr. Elton and his new wife (who isn't Harriet!). ------------------------------------------…

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Humorous Humors: Ben Jonson's Early Comedies 30:45

3M ago30:45

30:45

Send us a Text Message. Today, I look askance at two plays by Ben Jonson, whom many see (not me, though) as the greatest English playwright bar Shakespeare: Every Man In His Humour and Every Man Out of His Humour. These have become the paradigmatic examples of the 17th century "comedy of humours." Thank you to the Internet Archive for providing pub…

101
658: Chs 19-21 — Emma 1:41:52

3M ago1:41:52

1:41:52

Ep. 658: Huswifs | Chapters 19-21 / Volume 2, Chapters 1-3 Book talk begins at 11:35. This week, we chat with a woman who talks in hilariously long, winding sentences, often interrupting herself and losing her train of thought. Oh, and her niece—with a heartwarming backstory—joins us too! ------------------------------------------------------------…

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657: Chs 16-18 — Emma 1:13:12

3M ago1:13:12

1:13:12

Ep. 657: Miasmic Book talk begins at 14:31. Emma attempts damage control while Mr. Knightley’s prejudice against a particular stranger surprises our heroine. --------------------------------------------------------------- • Join our raffle giveaway of and visit Aimee's shop . • IS for sale at Etsy. • Map showing the location of Weymouth • Jane Aust…

1
The Bible in English 54:04

3M ago54:04

54:04

Send us a Text Message. Today, we take a historical survey of the Bible in English, from early partial translations and paraphrases in the 7th century through the magnificence of King James I's Authorized Version of 1611. Support the Show. Please like, subscribe, and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever you listen. Thank you! Ema…

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656: Chs 13-15 — Emma 1:43:40

3M ago1:43:40

1:43:40

Ep. 656: Sampled Book talk begins at 14:31. John Knightley complains about the cold while Mr. Elton does something surprising. 😨 • Join our raffle giveaway of and visit Aimee's shop . • Clip from When you watch the know that the actors are: —Samuel West (SO good right now in the Slow Horses series), —Eleanor Tomlinson (who—after this—played a marve…

1
655: Ch 12 — Emma 57:50

4M ago57:50

57:50

Ep. 655: Brick Book talk begins at 15:02. Fainting fits, Mr. Woodhouse’s quirks and whims, and a cure-all remedy? All in this week’s episode! (And Belated Happy Birthday to Heather! 😁 — Valkyrie and Erik) --------------------------------------------------------------- • Join our raffle giveaway of • Brick Pics • Map • Bags and fabric from Auntie Ch…

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More than the Dark Lady: Aemilia Lanyer's "Eve's Apology in Defense of Women" 33:02

4M ago33:02

33:02

Send us a Text Message. Today we look at Aemelia Lanyer's pioneering and influential work, "Eve's Apology in Defense of Women" from 1611's Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum. Support the Show. Please like, subscribe, and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever you listen. Thank you! Email: classicenglishliterature@gmail.com Follow me on Insta…

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654: Ch 10-11 — Emma 1:12:49

4M ago1:12:49

1:12:49

Ep. 654: Speed Bumps Book talk begins at 8:41. We hit Emma's famous "I need not marry" speech that you see in every adaptation of Emma! And when it comes to making moves with Harriet, Elton moves at a snail's pace. But Emma persists and is determined to make this match a reality, despite having little interest in getting married herself. ----------…

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653: Ch 9 — Emma 1:01:20

4M ago1:01:20

1:01:20

Ep. 653: I’ve Been Sandersoned Book talk begins at 4:34. Today is a standalone chapter! Covering commonplace books, enigmas, and riddles. This may be one of the only chapters in Emma where I actually feel sorry for Elton. --------------------------------------------------------------- • Last chance to join our raffle giveaway of • • • • • • • Riddl…

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Fair Youths and Dark Ladies: Shakespeare's Sonnets 47:19

4M ago47:19

47:19

Send us a Text Message. For our final episode focusing on Shakespeare, we look at his sonnets, arguably the most famous collection of lyric poems in the language. Support the Show. Please like, subscribe, and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever you listen. Thank you! Email: classicenglishliterature@gmail.com Follow me on Instagr…

1
652: Chs 6-8 — Emma 1:34:27

4M ago1:34:27

1:34:27

Ep. 652: Valid, But Not Sound Book talk begins at 9:54. Emma does a lot of Emma-ing. Her arguments are valid and shared with great conviction, but are they true? --------------------------------------------------------------- • Join our raffle giveaway of • Join our Howl’s Moving Castle book party on April 25, 2024 by becoming a or joining us on Yo…

1
651: Chs 4-5 — Emma 1:27:55

4M ago1:27:55

1:27:55

Ep. 651: Confirmation Bias Book talk begins at 8:16 Emma's matchmaking prowess is in full swing! Will her plans for Harriet end in a fairytale ending, or is disaster lurking just around the corner? And who is this guy named Frank? --------------------------------------------------------------- • Join the raffle giveaway of • • • T • • CraftLit’s so…

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"You taught me language": Shakespeare's The Tempest 40:08

5M ago40:08

40:08

Send us a Text Message. For our (probably) final episode on Shakespeare's plays, we sail through The Tempest, a late romance which has attracted historical and psychoanalytical interpretations, but stands out for many readers as perhaps a play in which a version of Shakespeare himself appears as the protagonist. Audio clip from The Tempest ; 2004 N…

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