Two Month Review

Open Letter Books
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Each “season” of Two Month Review highlights a different new and amazing work of world literature, reading it slowly over the course of eight to nine episodes. Featuring a rotating set of literary guests—from authors to booksellers, critics, and translators—the individual episodes recap a short section of the book and use that as a springboard for a fun (and often irreverent) discussion about literature in a general sense, pop culture, reading approaches, and much more. Talking about great books doesn't need to be deadly serious, and the levity of 2MR makes it accessible to everyone (even if you’re not reading along). threepercentproblem.substack.com

  1. TMR 30.6: "Second-Rate Attilas of the Disunited Provinces" [I the Supreme]

    1D AGO

    TMR 30.6: "Second-Rate Attilas of the Disunited Provinces" [I the Supreme]

    Chad has Covid, giving this episode a feverish quality—and making it even more entertaining than usual? Regardless, he’s joined by Kaija and Brian and they talk about their struggles with the book, what’s pulling them through (or not), the philosophies and big ideas of it all, and failure. This week’s music is “Mata Zyklek” by Angine de Poitrine. Next week’s episode will cover through page 381. If you want to follow along, the complete schedule can be found here. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large. Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com

    43 min
  2. TMR 30.5: "I Am Highly Optimistic But Not Amnesiac" [I the Supreme]

    APR 3

    TMR 30.5: "I Am Highly Optimistic But Not Amnesiac" [I the Supreme]

    Carlos Labbé (Navidad & Matanza, The Murmuration) joins Chad and Kaija to talk about his experience reading Yo el Supremo in college, influences on this period of “el Boom,” Latin American history, and much more. They also discuss the plot, as it relates to Paraguay’s independence and the instillation of Francia as Supreme Dictator, and make predictions on what’s to come. Also: More skulls!! This week’s music is “Northern Wind Brings Redemption” by Saagara. Next week’s episode will cover through page 326. If you want to follow along, the complete schedule can be found here. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large. Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com

    1h 10m
  3. TMR 30.4: "Construction of the Super-Race by Means of Nutrition" [I the Supreme]

    MAR 27

    TMR 30.4: "Construction of the Super-Race by Means of Nutrition" [I the Supreme]

    Sometimes a pen is just a pen, and sometimes it’s a magical object that might contain all of Dr. Francia’s madness. Although this week’s episode covers pages 166–216, most of the time is spent on the Compiler’s note starting on page 197, in which “the Compiler” finally becomes a fully-fledged character—one who is in possession of the Supreme Dictator’s pen. Kaija, Brian, and Chad talk about how this adds a new dimension to the novel and helps to frame the various threads we’re following (Francia’s dying days, the history of Paraguay gaining independence, the occult, Francia’s reign of terror, etc.). They also discuss Latin American and French influences in the writing, isolationism and nationalism, and much more! This week’s music is a song about dictators called “L.O.S.E.R.” Next week’s episode will cover through page 269. If you want to follow along, the complete schedule can be found here. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large. Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com

    56 min
  4. TMR 30.3: "Man Is an Idiot" [I the Supreme]

    MAR 20

    TMR 30.3: "Man Is an Idiot" [I the Supreme]

    Speculation about the Supreme Dictator and his pet skull dominates this episode of the Two Month Review, although it also includes a comparison between Francia and Alex Jones, an assessment of Francia’s argument as to why he should lead the independence movement, stray thoughts about the Compiler, and a bit about the interplay between the Supreme Dictator’s representation of himself and his reign, and the historical documents that exist. This week’s music is “Skulls” by The Lemonheads. Next week’s episode will cover through page 216. If you want to follow along, the complete schedule can be found here. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large. Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com

    59 min
  5. TMR 30.2: "Representation of Writing As Representation" [I the Supreme]

    MAR 13

    TMR 30.2: "Representation of Writing As Representation" [I the Supreme]

    If you’re reading this book and feel lost—you’re not alone! Chad spends most of this podcast talking over everyone and sharing his research about the history of Paraguay circa 1810, which is when a good chunk of this week’s section of the book (pages 56-110) takes place. After somewhat getting their bearings (this is a difficult book!), the crew talk about circles, meteors/aeroliths, writing and power, the occult, predictions for the rest of the novel, and much more. If you’re struggling with this novel, this episode should provide a few toeholds to understanding Roa Bastos’s—and Dr. Francia’s—world. This week’s music is “I Won’t Let You Down” by Barry Can’t Swim. Next week’s episode will cover through page 165. If you want to follow along, the complete schedule can be found here. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large. Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com

    1h 3m
  6. TMR 30.1: "They're Daring to Parody My Supreme Decrees Now" [I the Supreme]

    MAR 6

    TMR 30.1: "They're Daring to Parody My Supreme Decrees Now" [I the Supreme]

    The new season kicks off with an overview of Augusto Roa Bastos's life, some background on this season's dictator, Dr. Francia of Paraguay, and a bit of table setting as to how this book came to be. Then, Chad, Brian, and Kaija dive into the book’s chaotic humor and presentation, the presence of the occult in the first chapter of the book, and what makes this novel challenging to read. This episode’s music is “Cult of Personality” by Living Color. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. And subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large. Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) about all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com

    1h 16m
  7. TMR 29.12: "Writing Is Hiding From History" [The Tunnel]

    JAN 22

    TMR 29.12: "Writing Is Hiding From History" [The Tunnel]

    Ted Morrissey (The Tunnel at 25, A Lesson Before Writing podcast) returns to help Kaija, Chad, and Brian close out this three-month-long discussion about William H. Gass’s The Tunnel. They discuss the book’s structure, its ending, hoarding and alcoholism, the lack of academic attention paid to the book, the value of the audiobook’s liner notes, and more! This episode’s music is “I Wish I Was Sober” by Frightened Rabbit. TMR will be back in mid-February with season 30 featuring I, The Supreme by Augusto Roa Bastos & Helen Lane. The complete schedule for season 30 will be available in the near future, but get your copies now and join along! You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. And subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large. Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) about all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com

    1h 19m
  8. TMR 29.11: "I Appreciate That Answer" [The Tunnel]

    JAN 15

    TMR 29.11: "I Appreciate That Answer" [The Tunnel]

    This week, pervy academics, rivers, candy shops, and a bit of childhood gambling carry us through the penultimate section of Gass’s The Tunnel. Brian and Kaija kick off the episode sans Chad, who pops in toward the end and vechoes the discussion about the book’s overarching pattern of 4s, the applications of “harnessing history,” and—once again and with feeling—what is it that creates and shapes despicable and/or evil people into their despicable and/or evil selves. This episode features two songs: “The Candy Man” by Sammy Davis, Jr., and “Wabash Cannonball” by Johnny Cash. Next week is the final episode for this season, covering the whole of the book. Then, in mid-February, season 30 will launch and feature I, The Supreme by Augusto Roa Bastos & Helen Lane. The complete schedule for season 30 will be available in the near future, but get your copies now and join along! You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. And subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large. Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) about all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com

    54 min
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About

Each “season” of Two Month Review highlights a different new and amazing work of world literature, reading it slowly over the course of eight to nine episodes. Featuring a rotating set of literary guests—from authors to booksellers, critics, and translators—the individual episodes recap a short section of the book and use that as a springboard for a fun (and often irreverent) discussion about literature in a general sense, pop culture, reading approaches, and much more. Talking about great books doesn't need to be deadly serious, and the levity of 2MR makes it accessible to everyone (even if you’re not reading along). threepercentproblem.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Open Letter Books
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    160
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Chad W. Post
  • Show Website
    Two Month Review

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