The Bookening

Church of the King

4.2 (192)
BOOKS

3 guys—a pastor, a scholar, and their gleeful provocateur—discuss the great books. We take God and literature seriously—but the second one not overly so.

06/10/2024

What's happening with our podcasts? (+The Buried Giant)

Hello. It's us. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 16m
03/21/2024

Swann's Way by Marcel Proust

Memory. Identity. Barbra Streisand. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 44m
03/14/2024

Proust Preview

We haven't got our actual podcast recorded yet but here's a taste of why you should read along. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

12 min
02/07/2024

The 39 Steps

An ordinary (kind of) man caught in extraordinary circumstances! A race against time to expose a dangerous spy ring! Long walks through Scotland! It's John Buchan's immortal (?), classic (?): The 39 Steps. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 22m
01/03/2024

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Mysterious intelligent rats??? Please don't refer to our podcasters like that! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 40m
12/04/2023

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

Tolstoy is a great writer. The Death of Ivan Ilyich is a novella about a middle-aged man named Ivan Ilyich. Yep, he dies. It's sad, moving, thoughtful, ironic, true to life, etc. And unlike some other Tolstoy books we could name, it's short. Worth your time. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 19m
11/16/2023

Dominic by William Steig

Check out the Kickstarter for our friend's non-woke children's book, The Rainbow Knight. The Bookening talks about a charming kid's book by the quirky children's author (and longtime New Yorker illustrator) William Steig. We talk about some of his early books of "symbolic pictures" too—too dark to be kid's stuff. You have been forewarned! You can check out The Agony in the Kindergarten here, or About People here. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 43m
02/01/2023

Jane Austen's Emma (Redux)

"Emma" by Jane Austen is considered a great novel due to its sharp wit, complex characters, and insightful commentary on societal norms and human nature. Austen's writing is known for its irony, subtle humor, and ability to draw readers into the world of her characters. The novel also explores themes of class, romance, self-delusion, and the dangers of interfering in the lives of others. Additionally, the novel's protagonist Emma Woodhouse is a strong, independent woman whose flaws and mistakes make her relatable and endearing to readers. The above description was definitely NOT written by a Chatbot. We loved talking about "Emma" again. Is it Jane Austen's best work? Is Mr Knightley a g-word for shaping the character of a 13 year old girl until she's old enough to marry? Other questions! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

2h 37m

See All (310)

4.2

out of 5

192 Ratings

Three Men and a Book

02/20/2024

Mas Arai

Three men and a book On Rushdie we look We grimace at nihilist Cormac We stare into Steinbeck From Hemingway’s pine deck Not one of them D-list or bored hack We mingle with l’Engle That stale old Pringle Reluctantly we dine on Kline Goth drama we broker Like Poe and Bram Stoker Til Tolstoy refreshes our mind We’re the Evansville bureau Of swell Ishiguro Dennis Johnson’s worth we will laud Through we tried to abstain From Johnny Tremain We learned not every Newb’ry’s a fraud Now like baked beans in Boston We identify with Austen Sure, Fanny and Darcy we admire But strength, thy name’s Knightley Pods well done, and spritely To bless you, hear listener, we aspire
More of a religious banter than literary review podcast

Jul 20

DMC121209

The episodes I listened to felt looong because of the banter. Felt very disconnected and judgemental about things outside of literature.
Pull the plug

10/30/2024

1988pens

Clever boys! Funny boys! :/
Love it!

01/18/2024

Wyatt the Baggins

Keep up the good work! Don’t listen to the bad reviews about you guys bantering, I love it!

3 guys—a pastor, a scholar, and their gleeful provocateur—discuss the great books. We take God and literature seriously—but the second one not overly so.