Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast

Thomas Pynchon books discussed here!
  • 4.7 (45)
  • BOOKS

Each episode, we take a deep-dive into the book we are focusing on—we explore the references, characters, plot, and everything in between from a non-scholarly point of view. We are just four fans who love these books and can talk about them endlessly.

  1. Against the Day: Chapter 20

    SEP 19

    Against the Day: Chapter 20

    A spot of smoky rooms and heavy drapes suits us as finely as they do Lew, and somehow the more obscure the corner of history referred to by the couple-three iconoclasts he meets, the more our hosts find to discuss. There's plenty of room left in the shadows, as these dialogues reveal their purposes unorthodox even by the TWIT's standard! From the cricket...arenas...of Australia to bathtubs of Condy's fluid, it's no wonder we take a few missteps (e.g. Raimi) from the line of firm tracks this chapter joins them by. Next episode: Ch. 21 (pg. 242-259) ending on “‘Bells are the most ancient objects. They call to us out of eternity.’” If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Music: The Pod - Ween Film/TV: Love Liza (2002; d. Todd Louiso), Spider-Man (2002; d. Sam Raimi), Community (2009-2015) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com

    2h 8m
  2. Against the Day: Chapter 19

    SEP 5

    Against the Day: Chapter 19

    With how things have gotten so real these past few eps, it's time to see what Lew's been up to in cheery old Inglund! These chaps, Nigel and Nuisance or whatbeit, who've already brung him across the world just have not said quite enough about this infinite tetrangle! Even the demonstrably stable Grand Cohen's powerful rhetoric can not convince our thoroughly skeptic troupe of the TWIT's wisdom. And just so, what more fitting a background to divine the sources of the oncoming strife upon the mainland? If Madame Eskimoff's recordings did not suffice our listeners, they might find a digestif in order while contemplating this episode of Mapping the Zone. If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: The Avenger: An Allegorical War Map for 1877 by Fred W. Rose (1877) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Turkish_War_(1877%E2%80%931878)#/media/File:Fred._W._Rose_The_Avenger_An_Allegorical_War_Map_for_1877_1877_Cornell_CUL_PJM_1080_01.jpg Books: The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage; Bare-faced Messiah by Russell Miller, Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com

    3h 29m
  3. Against the Day: Chapter 18

    AUG 22

    Against the Day: Chapter 18

    This week we wander through Jeshimon and track Reef as he rescues his father's harried remains from the just yet supernatural decay they'd have suffered in the desecrate airs of the town. Though Webb may rest his children and Mayva shall not and like them we wrestle with grief and legacy in our discussion. Those distressed by the forestalling of our chapter 19 discussion are recommended to contemplate the tetractys for fifteen minutes each morning and come back in two weeks. If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Books: The Dark Tower (series) by Stephen King Films/TV: Animaniacs Music: Hermanos Gutierrez (https://tidal.com/browse/artist/9835680?u) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com

    1h 57m
  4. Against the Day: Chapters 16-17

    JUL 18

    Against the Day: Chapters 16-17

    Checking in on the Traverse household, things are looking ... somber. As happy as the hosts are to all be present and accountable, the mood is somewhat dampened by the final ties breaking between Lake and her father, and where that leads Webb. Thankfully, the romantic backdrop of Nochecita cushions things a bit, even if Frank and Reef's glimpse at peace is cut short. It's not all a loss, though! We do, at least, meet a few new friends along the way to Jeshimon. If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Films/TV: The Killer (2023; d. David Fincher), The Matador (2005; d. Richard Shepard) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com

    2h 1m
  5. Against the Day: Chapters 14-15

    JUL 4

    Against the Day: Chapters 14-15

    The Harvard-Yale game brings us by vector analysis to rearrive upon the scraggly isthmus of Long Island. The tales of Vibes are much rehearsed, wooing Kit between Dittany eyelashes and forms seen lonesome in the hallways. The fall of an earnest worker marks the end of Fleet's refrain, but lines up well to the west with Lew on a quest. What clashes here, in mines and minds? Kieselguhr soaked in nitro, wrapped in newsprint and 'cyclomite'! But White City's loss is our gain, as the suspect PI bolts, chased by beavers in the brain, and our scholars, nonplussed, watch his newfound escapades. If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com

    3h 16m
  6. Against the Day: Chapters 12-13

    JUN 20

    Against the Day: Chapters 12-13

    As with the Chums from the center of the Earth, we return from temporary distraction, and yea, what hath time wrought? What did this planet itself cradle slumbering beneath its frozen extremities? What idols have we found ourselves prostrate before, as the thirsting tongues of flame awaken nerves deadened by that chill? May the scourge pass you by, ye who behold... the latest episode of Mapping the Zone! If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com

    2h 16m
  7. Against the Day: Chapter 11

    JUN 6

    Against the Day: Chapter 11

    We are thrilled to finally return to Against the Day and we are finally covering Part II - Icelandic Spar! We had planned on covering Chapters 11 and 12 in this episode, however we quickly realized that there was just too much in Chapter 11 to be able to condense it and Chapter 12 into one episode. As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com

    3h 34m
  8. Bonus Episode - Alex Pheby

    MAY 23

    Bonus Episode - Alex Pheby

    If you've listened to this show for any amount of time, you've probably heard Cody mention the Cities of the Weft trilogy by Alex Pheby, a phenomenal dark fantasy series that explores a number of fascinating themes and concepts all set in a tremendously built world, with a brilliant cast of characters. We were lucky to be joined by Alex Pheby to discuss his work, that before the Cities of the Weft trilogy. and those books, as well. We are back to our regularly scheduled programming in two weeks, finally getting into our coverage of Part II, Icelandic Spar, of Against the Day. Please check out Alex's work wherever you buy books, or directly from Galley Beggar Publishing: https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/alex-pheby Follow Alex on BlueSky: @alexpheby.bsky.social‬ As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com

    2h 8m
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Each episode, we take a deep-dive into the book we are focusing on—we explore the references, characters, plot, and everything in between from a non-scholarly point of view. We are just four fans who love these books and can talk about them endlessly.

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