27 episodes

Welcome to the Norton Library Podcast, where we explore influential works of literature and philosophy with the leading scholars and teachers behind Norton’s newest series of classics. In each episode, with a Norton Library editor or translator as our guide, we'll learn something new and surprising about these classic works—why they endure, and what it means to read them today. Hosted by Mark Cirino and produced by Michael Von Cannon, the co-creators of the Hemingway Society's popular show One True Podcast.

The Norton Library Podcast The Norton Library

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 30 Ratings

Welcome to the Norton Library Podcast, where we explore influential works of literature and philosophy with the leading scholars and teachers behind Norton’s newest series of classics. In each episode, with a Norton Library editor or translator as our guide, we'll learn something new and surprising about these classic works—why they endure, and what it means to read them today. Hosted by Mark Cirino and produced by Michael Von Cannon, the co-creators of the Hemingway Society's popular show One True Podcast.

    Don't Nap for Self-Care. Wake up! (The Awakening, Part 1)

    Don't Nap for Self-Care. Wake up! (The Awakening, Part 1)

    In Part 1 of our discussion on The Awakening, we welcome editor Laura Fisher to discuss Kate Chopin's writing career, the novel's reception and themes, as well as some of its major characters. Laura R. Fisher is an associate professor of English at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the author of Reading for Reform: The Social Work of Literature in the Progressive Era.To learn more or purchase a copy of the Norton Library edition of The Awakening, go to https://seagull.wwnorton.com/TheAw...

    • 32 min
    It's Okay to be Frustrated with Joyce (Dubliners, Part 2)

    It's Okay to be Frustrated with Joyce (Dubliners, Part 2)

    In Part 2 of our discussion on Dubliners, editor Ian Whittington discusses the inspiration for the cover of his Norton Library edition, his favorite lines in the collection, his Dubliners hot take, and some suggestions for a Dubliners playlist. Ian Whittington is an independent scholar whose research and teaching focus on twentieth-century anglophone literature and culture. He is the author of Writing the Radio War: Literature, Politics and the BBC and co-editor of The Edinburgh Companion t...

    • 34 min
    You Can File this All Under "A City in Decline" (Dubliners, Part 1)

    You Can File this All Under "A City in Decline" (Dubliners, Part 1)

    In Part 1 of our discussion on Dubliners, we welcome editor Ian Whittington to discuss how this collection of short stories was received by its publisher, by its literary audience, and by the people who made up its subject matter; the Dublin in which Joyce grew up; and, of course, Ian's favorite story.Ian Whittington is an independent scholar whose research and teaching focus on twentieth-century anglophone literature and culture. He is the author of Writing the Radio War: Literature, Politic...

    • 32 min
    Medea has Pierced Our Hearts (Medea, Part 2)

    Medea has Pierced Our Hearts (Medea, Part 2)

    In Part 2 of our discussion on Medea, editor Sheila Murnaghan discusses her teaching of the drama, what Medea shows us about the nature of revenge, and her approach to the challenges of translating this tragedy. Sheila Murnaghan is the Alfred Reginald Allen Memorial Professor of Greek at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of Disguise and Recognition in the Odyssey and numerous articles on Greek epic and tragedy, gender in classical culture, and classical reception. She is...

    • 28 min
    Euripides's Exploration of the Unthinkable and Unnatural (Medea, Part 1)

    Euripides's Exploration of the Unthinkable and Unnatural (Medea, Part 1)

    In Part 1 of our discussion on Medea, we welcome translator Sheila Murnaghan to discuss the historical and dramatic context in which Euripides wrote the play, its basis in the Medea myth, and the plays most prominent characters. Sheila Murnaghan is the Alfred Reginald Allen Memorial Professor of Greek at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of Disguise and Recognition in the Odyssey and numerous articles on Greek epic and tragedy, gender in classical culture, and classical recept...

    • 36 min
    An African American Novel about White People (The Marrow of Tradition, Part 2)

    An African American Novel about White People (The Marrow of Tradition, Part 2)

    In Part 2 of our discussion on The Marrow of Tradition, editor Autumn Womack discusses her background with the novel, teaching the novel, her favorite line, and her hot take on The Marrow of Tradition. Autumn Womack is an Assistant Professor in the departments of African American Studies and English at Princeton University, where she specializes in late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century African American literary culture. She is the author of The Matter of Black Living: The Aesthetic Exp...

    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
30 Ratings

30 Ratings

Huckleberry the Cat ,

Only one per month? Say it isn’t so!

I learned about this podcast from your post on LinkedIn and I was very excited to listen to it and I was not disappointed. I was hoping it would be every Sunday but it looks like it’s only going to be once a month. Is that right? You have made a very high quality podcast and I will be here for it every time. I watched Gatsby again (Robert Redford version) after listening, and I enjoyed it more than ever thanks to your discussion.

1centrist ,

Spoilers for books over 150 years old

Great podcast. Interesting discussions with the editors/experts. Good choice of books. Engaging questions from the interviewer. But the insistence on avoiding “spoolers” is irritating. How do you talk about Jane Eyre without mentioning who she married? Or what happened to Lucy in Dracula? I suspect that anyone choosing to listen to this podcast has already read the books so no one is going to have the ending spoiled.

Chamoore334 ,

Very informative

Great content. Love the jingle too!

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