Classics in Session

Penguin Books Australia
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Welcome to Classics in Session, where we talk about the world's most famous books without any of the stuffiness. Powered by Penguin.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Is Cathy Actually Evil in East of Eden?

    Cathy Ames, you stand accused of being pure evil. How do you plead? 🍎⚖️ Welcome back to Classics in Session, where Sara and Belinda are deep diving into John Steinbeck’s East of Eden ahead of the Netflix adaptation. In Episode 3, we’re putting Cathy Ames on trial for her many, many crimes. Taking the role of the prosecution, Belinda is making the case that Cathy really is exactly what Steinbeck tells us she is: pure evil. On the defence, Sara has a different argument. If East of Eden is ultimately about timshel and our ability to choose between good and evil, why does Steinbeck seem to deny Cathy that same choice? Is Cathy evil because of the choices she makes? Or is she evil because Steinbeck decided she was from the very beginning? Court is officially in session. Then we’re turning our attention to the new Netflix adaptation. What are we hoping it keeps? What might change? And, most importantly, what happens to Cathy when she’s played by Florence Pugh? We’re talking casting, expectations and whether a new interpretation of Cathy could change how audiences see one of literature’s most infamous women. 🍎 SPOILER POLICY This episode contains heavy spoilers. We’re putting Cathy on trial, which means her crimes, choices and character arc are all evidence. Consider yourself warned. CONTENT WARNING This episode includes discussions of suicide and abuse, so please take care while watching. CREDITS This week's episode is hosted by Sara Zarriello and Belinda Conners. Co produced by Belinda Conners and Sara Zarriello. Video Production by Michael Windle and Maia Longhurst. Scripting and content co ordination by Sara Zarriello. Graphic design and introduction animation by Maia Longhurst.

  2. Sep 28

    Where are the ‘Good People’ in East of Eden?

    Who are the actual ‘good people’ in East of Eden? And more importantly... how good are they really? 🍎 Welcome back to Classics in Session, where Sara and Belinda are deep diving into John Steinbeck’s East of Eden ahead of the Netflix adaptation. In Episode 2, we’re putting three of the novel’s supposed good guys under the microscope: Samuel Hamilton, Lee and Adam Trask. What actually makes someone ‘good’ in Steinbeck’s world? Is Samuel quite as perfect as everyone remembers him? Is Lee the moral centre of the entire novel? And where, exactly, does Adam fit into all of this? Most importantly, what do we rate them out of 10 on a scale of goodness? We’re also starting to get into one of the biggest ideas in East of Eden: timshel, Cain and Abel, generational trauma and whether we’re destined to repeat the mistakes of the people who came before us, or whether we can choose differently. And once you start talking about good and evil in East of Eden, there’s one person you can’t avoid for long. Cathy, we’re coming for you next. 👀 🍎 SPOILER POLICY This episode contains heavy spoilers so beware folks. CREDITS This week's episode is hosted by Sara Zarriello and Belinda Conners. Co produced by Belinda Conners and Sara Zarriello. Video Production by Michael Windle and Maia Longhurst. Scripting and content co ordination by Sara Zarriello. Graphic design and introduction animation by Maia Longhurst.

  3. Sep 24

    Why are we still reading East of Eden?

    You're about to hear a LOT about East of Eden when the Netflix adaptation drops. So get the low down here before you watch or do a deep dive after! 🍎 Welcome to Classics in Session, a deep dive into the classics we can’t stop talking about. First up: John Steinbeck’s sprawling, messy, morally complicated East of Eden. Across four episodes, Sara and Belinda are unpacking the characters, family drama, biblical parallels, good, evil, timshel and everything in between. In Episode 1, we’re starting at the beginning. Why are people still reading a 600 page novel published more than 70 years ago? Does it actually deserve the hype? Did it really need to be that long? And what makes a book about intergenerational trauma, jealousy, terrible parenting and the desperate need to be loved feel quite so... current? We’re also getting into the Steinbeck lore, the real family history woven into the novel, its divided critical reception and how East of Eden went from a 1952 bestseller to a classic that readers are still discovering today. 🍎 SPOILER POLICY This episode contains light to moderate spoilers. We’ll discuss the premise, themes and characters, but we’re saving the major character developments and ending spoilers for our next episode. CREDITS This week's episode is hosted by Sara Zarriello and Belinda Conners. Co produced by Belinda Conners and Sara Zarriello. Video Production by Michael Windle and Maia Longhurst. Scripting and content co ordination by Sara Zarriello. Graphic design and introduction animation by Maia Longhurst.

  • 3 Episodes

About

Welcome to Classics in Session, where we talk about the world's most famous books without any of the stuffiness. Powered by Penguin.

Information

  • Creator
    Penguin Books Australia
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Penguin Books Australia
  • Show Website
    Classics in Session

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