Besides being a good writer, IMHO Graham Greene was also a good Soviet mole in MI6. A good loyal employee for Kim Philly and a good friend of another traitor, John Cairncross. They are still analyzing his correspondence.
I last talked to Greene about our sordid business in France a few years before his death. Always in doubt of everything because he lived in the wilderness of mirrors, he was a master at describing the setting. He told me Fidel had given him a painting that he hung in his living room and that he admired it every day he was home. He was a living example that you can get away with treachery and keep hoodwinking future generations with works like "The Quiet American".
I'm with RACKET 'till the wheels fall off. What works for RACKET works for me.
An American sorrow is that We the People then were reading Green as teenagers. We the People now don't know who Greene is/was. 20% of us are illiterate and 60% of us read at a 6th Grade level. Collect great literature. Access is disappearing.
Haha, I'm open to that. A friend is currently giving me holy hell for reading Dante's Inferno -- in graphic novel format. (Life's short and I'm a slow reader...)
Excellent! I'm not sure that any of the novels can be discussed in just one session, especially with such a large group. I'm totally onboard with a more or less dedicated discussion of books once a week with some flexibility on how each two hours is managed.
Settle on the first six novels - shorter to longer, provide the reading list this week and allow us to get started. Obtaining copies of twentieth century novels may cost, but lots of the best works from the nineteenth century are available online via Google books - Poe, Twain, and others in translation. Let's not be too terrified of the odd poem, too!
One discussion of politics a week is plenty for me, just saying. Finally, many thanks to both Matt and Walter - let sanity, such as we know it, prevail!
While we have your attention, is there a compendium (list) of the short stories that you and Walter have spoken about? I’d love to have that for future reference. Thanks!
damn — i’m going to miss short stories, which i think are unfairly maligned as an art form.
also (sad to say), i don’t have time to read novels anymore—but that’s what Audible is for i suppose. The Quiet American is indeed available to listen (which I’ll do).
We’re also going to be picking a lot of novels that have movie versions (Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser did an excellent version of The Quiet American). I’m also going to be doing written intros.
I have read more in the past year than I have in the prior ten because of this format and cadence. Thank you both to Matt and Walter for that. The past two weeks allowed for me to plow through Dangerous Visions. Wowza! While I’m happy about a book club format, I would welcome some continuity on the short stories, it has been one of the things I actually look forward to every week.
I have read more in the past year than I have in the prior ten because of this format and cadence. Thank you both to Matt and Walter for that. The past two weeks allowed for me to plow through Dangerous Visions. Wowza! While I’m happy about a book club format, I would welcome some continuity on the short stories, it has been one of the things I actually look forward to every week.
I'll miss the short stories too. With the pace of change and the state of "future shock" that leaves us in, I find it to be the perfect format for our times.
I'm glad you're expanding to novels. I love your literature discussions -- it's one unique thing about your podcast that sets it apart, and really adds value. As a film buff, I'd like to hear your takes on the film/miniseries versions of these books, if you could squeeze those in, tell us what went right or wrong in the adaptations (since most of us are likely more familiar with the movies anyway). You say that talking with Walter keeps you sane, and I second that from a listener's perspective -- both of you keep me grounded.
Well you all needed to make adjustments. And the news has been overwhelming everywhere it is hard to take it all in!! Thanks for your work, both of you!!!
I finally read Catch-22 a couple years ago thanks to you guys. Further, I've read a TON of shit I wouldn't have based on your segments and Walter's X post; Portis, PKD, James Elroy, etc. ATW doesn't just entertain, it enriches the soul, man!
Looking forward to the Quiet American, too. Last Summer I finally read the copy that had been sitting on my shelf for ages. I have no idea why I put it off for so long, I loved it.
Is it possible to announce the books in advance so that we can read them ahead of your discussion? Thanks, if possible.
I just downloaded The Quiet American. It is relatively short, so one should be able to read it by Monday afternoon.
Such a great book one of my favorites by Greene
Besides being a good writer, IMHO Graham Greene was also a good Soviet mole in MI6. A good loyal employee for Kim Philly and a good friend of another traitor, John Cairncross. They are still analyzing his correspondence.
That is absolutely fascinating.
I last talked to Greene about our sordid business in France a few years before his death. Always in doubt of everything because he lived in the wilderness of mirrors, he was a master at describing the setting. He told me Fidel had given him a painting that he hung in his living room and that he admired it every day he was home. He was a living example that you can get away with treachery and keep hoodwinking future generations with works like "The Quiet American".
Looking forward to it.
What about the mad cow. Will she still apart of this madness?
(Borrowing your reply Susan. Thanks!!)
I'm with RACKET 'till the wheels fall off. What works for RACKET works for me.
An American sorrow is that We the People then were reading Green as teenagers. We the People now don't know who Greene is/was. 20% of us are illiterate and 60% of us read at a 6th Grade level. Collect great literature. Access is disappearing.
I'm going to need at least a month's notice for "Catch-22." Its length has always discouraged me from reading it...
Watch the movie instead
Haha, I'm open to that. A friend is currently giving me holy hell for reading Dante's Inferno -- in graphic novel format. (Life's short and I'm a slow reader...)
I love the movie (many don't but come on, the cast alone makes it mandatory viewing) but the book should be read too.
The Slaughterhouse Five movie is really great too. Can't beat the 70s for film.
Looks he just did, Catch-22, etc.
Excellent! I'm not sure that any of the novels can be discussed in just one session, especially with such a large group. I'm totally onboard with a more or less dedicated discussion of books once a week with some flexibility on how each two hours is managed.
Settle on the first six novels - shorter to longer, provide the reading list this week and allow us to get started. Obtaining copies of twentieth century novels may cost, but lots of the best works from the nineteenth century are available online via Google books - Poe, Twain, and others in translation. Let's not be too terrified of the odd poem, too!
One discussion of politics a week is plenty for me, just saying. Finally, many thanks to both Matt and Walter - let sanity, such as we know it, prevail!
Yes please. I've been hoping for the same.
I agree with this suggestion.
This would be very helpful.
When you come to a fork in the road take it.
Love ALL of THIS!!!! 💪🏼❤️🍻
and.... its "90% mental" ~.
Forks are racist. : )
Will reflect on that in a personal struggle session. But they do come in both white and black plastic, so it might be a non-starter.
Yogi
The future aint what it used to be.
Awesome! Best news you could have given us!
ATW is the only thing I can watch these days. Thank you Matt & Walter (and anyone else behind the scenes) for all that you do!
Excited for your return to the airwaves. Listening to you both keeps me sane.
Matt, could you please add the Monday show after it finished to the same podcast feed as the Friday show?
Yes, I think we can do that…
While we have your attention, is there a compendium (list) of the short stories that you and Walter have spoken about? I’d love to have that for future reference. Thanks!
Agreed. I think they should publish their own anthology of short stories. I'd buy it.
Great idea!
Yes, this would be incredibly helpful. I like the audio form while I'm cooking/cleaning/walking.
This would be great.... Dislike dealing with youtube
It's also on Rumble, which is slightly better and at least allows for free speech.
I'd like yo watch it on Rumble but as far as I know their format doesn't support PIP. If I'm wrong - please let me know.
I am irrationally excited and happy about this. So excited!!
damn — i’m going to miss short stories, which i think are unfairly maligned as an art form.
also (sad to say), i don’t have time to read novels anymore—but that’s what Audible is for i suppose. The Quiet American is indeed available to listen (which I’ll do).
We’re also going to be picking a lot of novels that have movie versions (Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser did an excellent version of The Quiet American). I’m also going to be doing written intros.
I have read more in the past year than I have in the prior ten because of this format and cadence. Thank you both to Matt and Walter for that. The past two weeks allowed for me to plow through Dangerous Visions. Wowza! While I’m happy about a book club format, I would welcome some continuity on the short stories, it has been one of the things I actually look forward to every week.
YES. I also delved into Dangerous Visions after they did the PKD story. Glad to have been turned onto it, there's some real great stuff in there.
Michael Caine is a treasure, I was hoping Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was based on a book. But no.
One of my faves
Remake of "Bedtime Stories" with David Niven and Marlon Brando.
Yes
The Quiet American movie with Michael Caine is on the Kanopy site where movies are free with a local library card.
Wildcat, the movie about Flannery O’Connor and directed by Ethan Hawke, mentioned by Matt and Walter, is also on Kanopy. I loved it.
Wow didn't realize kanopy was a thing or that I had access to it! Thanks so much. Love my Libby!
💕 thank you
I just started reading that book, but I need to finish an Ellis Peters Brother Cadfael.
Glad to hear that. Thought some reviews of classic movies would be a great addition.
I have read more in the past year than I have in the prior ten because of this format and cadence. Thank you both to Matt and Walter for that. The past two weeks allowed for me to plow through Dangerous Visions. Wowza! While I’m happy about a book club format, I would welcome some continuity on the short stories, it has been one of the things I actually look forward to every week.
GREAT MOVIE.
yeah i said that too. Short stories are underappreciated and often a better way of understanding the zeitgeist of the time and place.
Maybe they can mix them in from time to time.
Me too. The short stories that the lads picked were always interesting and it helped me get into trying my hand at writing too.
I'll miss the short stories too. With the pace of change and the state of "future shock" that leaves us in, I find it to be the perfect format for our times.
I’ve been twitching from my withdrawals… good to hear I will have that sweet juice of ATW in my veins again.
Will be anxiously awaiting your return🤗
I'm glad you're expanding to novels. I love your literature discussions -- it's one unique thing about your podcast that sets it apart, and really adds value. As a film buff, I'd like to hear your takes on the film/miniseries versions of these books, if you could squeeze those in, tell us what went right or wrong in the adaptations (since most of us are likely more familiar with the movies anyway). You say that talking with Walter keeps you sane, and I second that from a listener's perspective -- both of you keep me grounded.
I'm so excited for the novel discussions. Your short story conversations have invigorated my love of reading fiction like nothing else.
Can't wait Matt. You and Walter do indeed keep me sane. I'm very excited about the pivot to discuss novels.
Well you all needed to make adjustments. And the news has been overwhelming everywhere it is hard to take it all in!! Thanks for your work, both of you!!!
I finally read Catch-22 a couple years ago thanks to you guys. Further, I've read a TON of shit I wouldn't have based on your segments and Walter's X post; Portis, PKD, James Elroy, etc. ATW doesn't just entertain, it enriches the soul, man!
Looking forward to the Quiet American, too. Last Summer I finally read the copy that had been sitting on my shelf for ages. I have no idea why I put it off for so long, I loved it.
The Free Press doubled my subscription fee so I cancelled. If Matt doubles his I'm going to pay it gladly (with the money I used to give Bari Weiss)