Join us as we discuss Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Never Let Me Go with Professor Sebastian Groes in a highly insightful conversation. Professor Groes was the perfect person to help us untangle this complicated work, having spent years researching Ishiguro's writing, particularly his treatment of memory, identity, and what it means to be human. Groes talks about the uncanniness Ishiguro uses to prevent our expectations from concluding in the way we would like, adding to the tension of a novel that, in many ways, remains unfinished.

It's a dystopian novel set in an alternate history of England, largely at a secluded boarding school called Hailsham. Here we meet Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, three children whose friendships, jealousies, and complicated relationships follow them into adulthood. As they grow older, they begin to understand the unsettling purpose behind their upbringing and the limited futures that await them. It's a book about belonging and finding a sense of worth. It's about how the relationships we create shape our future selves and memories.

We explore how the novel is comparable to the American slave trade in many senses, particularly in the ways people were dehumanized and stripped of their identities. We also talk about the advent of AI and how it is perhaps a similarly dominating presence in our current society, one whose takeover we may unknowingly be complicit in allowing.

We discuss Ishiguro's excellent use of tension and the general feeling of hopelessness one feels at the close of this book. And yet, it will still Never Let You Go. Give this novel a read! But spoiler alert, we talk about the ending in this conversation, so if you don't want to ruin it, read the book first!

Join us!

For more of Professor Sebastian Groes's research on Kazuo Ishiguro:

• "Something of a Lost Corner": Kazuo Ishiguro's Landscapes of Memory and East Anglia in Never Let Me Go — A chapter examining memory and place in the novel, published in 2011.

• Kazuo Ishiguro: New Critical Visions of the Novels — A collection of literary criticism co-edited by Groes and Barry Lewis, exploring Ishiguro's treatment of memory, mortality, identity, and ethics.

• Health Warnings: Reading Kazuo Ishiguro in Times of Crisis — Groes's scholarly article examining Ishiguro's work in the context of contemporary crises.

You can also explore his other publications at Sebastian Groes's research website.

This month on Reality Raincheck, we're heading to St. Crispian's for a spoiler-filled discussion of Beth Brower's beloved series, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. We're joined by our friend Jessica, a lifelong reader, lover of Victorian literature, and independent bookseller, to talk about Volumes 1–8 and just what makes Emma's world so difficult to leave.

We explore the charm and intimacy of Emma's journal format, her wonderfully distinctive voice, and the unusual freedom she enjoys as a young woman navigating Victorian London. Is Emma essentially a modern heroine dropped into the nineteenth century, or has Beth Brower constructed a believable set of circumstances that allows her this independence within the social constraints of her time?

And then, of course, there are the men. We take a closer look at Hawkes, Pierce, Ithington, Roland, Jack, and the Reprobate Ten, Emma's growing "brotherhood" of friends, the romantic possibilities swirling around St. Crispian's, and what these very different relationships reveal about Emma herself.

We also dig into the series' abundant literary allusions, from Shakespeare, John Donne, Tennyson, and Charolotte Bronte to Walt Whitman, and consider how Brower's obvious love of classic literature enriches Emma's world. We talk about the particular pleasure of reading someone's private journals and why following Emma can evoke some of the same pleasures as Anne of Green Gables and Bridget Jones's Diary.

Finally, we look at Beth Brower's remarkable publishing story, from struggling to find a place within traditional publishing to founding her own press and building an enthusiastic readership largely through word of mouth. Jessica gives us an independent bookseller's perspective on the challenges of getting self-published books onto bookstore shelves and what happens when passionate readers begin asking for them.

If you've fallen in love with Emma M. Lion, Aunt Eugenia, St. Crispian's, and its wonderfully eccentric inhabitants, join us as we happily dissect one of our favorite literary worlds.

Warning: Our discussion contains major spoilers for The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volumes 1–8.

We had the wonderful opportunity to discuss Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping with George Handley and to marvel all over again at the astonishing beauty of Robinson's prose. Our guest, George Handley, is a professor of humanities at Brigham Young University whose work explores the intersections of literature, religion, and the natural world. A scholar of Marilynne Robinson's writing, he has published on Housekeeping and has interviewed Robinson about her work.

Set in the fictional town of Fingerbone in northern Idaho, Housekeeping follows sisters Ruth and Lucille, who, after a series of losses, are eventually left in the care of their unconventional aunt Sylvie. As the girls grow, they begin to respond very differently to Sylvie's transient way of living and to the question of what it means to belong somewhere at all.

We weren't always in agreement about whether Ruth ultimately finds the ending, or the life, she is best suited for. But we did agree that the depth and richness of Housekeeping reward discussion, contemplation, and certainly more than one reading.

Our conversation kept returning to the idea of home: home as a place, home as the people who hold us, and home as something we inhabit within ourselves. We talked about "housekeeping" as more than the tending of a physical space. It can also be a metaphor for remaining housed within our own minds and bodies, and for what it might mean to become, in some sense, an unhoused soul.

Finally, we considered Robinson's larger spiritual vision: that whatever our mortal state, whatever has been lost, broken, displaced, or left incomplete, there is the promise of a grand completion in the Resurrection.

It was a beautiful conversation about a book that somehow becomes larger every time we return to it. If you've read Housekeeping, we hope you'll join us. And if you haven't, perhaps this is your invitation.

For additional reading by George Handley, look here

Few books have shaped Western literature more profoundly than Homer's The Odyssey. Nearly 3,000 years after it was composed, readers are still asking the same questions Homer posed: What makes a hero? What does it truly mean to find home? How much of our lives is shaped by fate, choice, and the stories we tell ourselves?

In this episode of Reality Raincheck, we're joined by ancient historian and classicist Dr. Emily Hauser for an in-depth discussion of one of history's greatest epics. Together we explore Homer's world, the remarkable staying power of The Odyssey, the challenges of translating ancient Greek into modern English, and why Emily Wilson's acclaimed translation has introduced a new generation of readers to this timeless masterpiece.

We also discuss some of the most fascinating questions surrounding The Odyssey:

• Who was Homer, and did he really write The Odyssey?
• Why is The Odyssey still taught in schools and universities around the world?
• How does Emily Wilson's translation differ from earlier translations?
• What role do Athena and the Greek gods play in Odysseus's journey?
• What does the poem teach us about heroism, family, identity, and home?
• What can modern readers still learn from an ancient epic?

One of the themes that stayed with me after this conversation is the importance of the humanities. Great literature doesn't simply entertain us—it teaches us to think carefully, wrestle with difficult ideas, understand cultures beyond our own, and appreciate the experiences of people separated from us by centuries. Those are skills worth preserving.

As colleges and universities continue to reduce or eliminate humanities programs, I believe we should make a conscious effort to support them. The study of literature, history, philosophy, languages, and the arts helps shape thoughtful, curious, compassionate people. If you believe these disciplines matter, I encourage you to learn more about organizations like the National Humanities Alliance and the work they're doing to advocate for humanities education.

If you enjoyed today's conversation, I highly recommend Dr. Hauser's bestselling book, Mythica: A New History of Homer's World, Through the Women Written Out of It. It offers a fascinating look at the women, history, archaeology, and culture that shaped the world behind The Iliad and The Odyssey.

Dr. Emily Hauser

• Website: https://www.emilyhauser.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyhauserauthor/?hl=en

Mythica (Penelope's Bones in the U.S.)

• Penelope's Bones by Emily Hauser

Support the Humanities

• National Humanities Alliance: https://nhalliance.org/

Learn how Jane Austen's bookshelf can enrich your literary journey. Explore the overlooked women writers who inspired her and why they matter today.

In this book club chat, we discuss with author Rebecca Romney the literary influences that shaped Jane Austen's work. Why had we never even heard of these marvelous writers?! You'll discover the importance of recognizing these authors and how to incorporate their works into your reading list. Join us in this conversation and understand Austen's real influencers.

About Rebecca Romney
Rebecca Romney is a rare book dealer and co-founder of Type Punch Matrix, a rare book company based in Washington, DC. She is also a specialist featured on the History Channel's *Pawn Stars* and has contributed to the documentary *The Book Sellers*. With her extensive knowledge and passion for literature, Rebecca is uniquely positioned to shed light on the forgotten voices of women in literature. Learn more about her here.

The Underappreciation of Women Writers
Many readers today may find themselves unaware of the significant contributions made by women writers in Jane Austen's time. The problem often lies in the literary canon, which has historically prioritized male authors. It's time to challenge this narrative and explore the remarkable works of writers like Frances Burney and Anne Radcliffe, who were pivotal to Austen's literary landscape.

Why Were These Writers Overlooked?
Rebecca's exploration reveals that many great female authors have been overshadowed by their male counterparts. The reasons range from societal biases to the lack of preservation of their works. As readers, we must question why these voices have been neglected and actively seek them out.

The Impact of Austen's Reading Choices
Austen's reading was diverse, and her admiration for women writers is a testament to their talent. By revisiting these books, we can gain a deeper understanding of Austen's influences and the broader context of women's writing in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Key Takeaways
- Jane Austen was influenced by a range of women writers whose works deserve recognition.
- The literary world is richer when we explore diverse voices, particularly those that have been historically marginalized.
- Engaging with these authors can enhance your understanding of classic literature and inspire contemporary discussions around gender and writing.

Conclusion
In revisiting Jane Austen's bookshelf, we not only uncover the hidden gems of women's literature but also enrich our reading experience. As readers and literary enthusiasts, it's our responsibility to explore these works and celebrate the diverse voices that have shaped literary history. So, pick up a book by Frances Burney or Anne Radcliffe and join the conversation about the essential contributions of women writers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What books should I start with to explore women writers?
Consider starting with Frances Burney's *Evelina* or Anne Radcliffe's *The Mysteries of Udolpho*. These texts provide a great entry point into the world of women's literature that influenced Austen.

Why should we read these women writers today?
Reading these authors offers a more comprehensive understanding of literary history and highlights the importance of diverse voices in literature. Their works are not only historically significant but also resonate with contemporary themes.

https://www.rebeccaromney.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Claire O'Callaghan for a rich and thought-provoking conversation on Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, a novel that continues to unsettle, challenge, and captivate readers across generations. Together, we explore the wild and untamed landscape of the moors, not just as a setting, but as a force that shapes the emotional and psychological terrain of the characters themselves.

Even for those who haven't read the novel, the names Catherine and Heathcliff seem to exist out in the cultural ether, familiar and almost mythic. Many readers come to the book expecting a sweeping romance, shaped in part by film adaptations that present their story as one of enduring love. But this is not that kind of novel.

Our discussion grapples with the book's deeply unhealthy and often destructive portrayals of love, relationships marked more by obsession and vengeance than tenderness or mutual care. Violence, both physical and psychological, looms large, and we consider how Brontë uses it not merely for shock, but as a lens into grief, trauma, and the human capacity for endurance. As we reflect on how the book changes depending on when and how it's read, we ask why Wuthering Heights feels so different at various stages of life, and how what once seemed romantic can later reveal itself as deeply tragic. We also explore the novel's ghostly supernatural elements and how the house itself seems haunted.

And yet, despite its darkness, Wuthering Heights is not without hope. In the relationship between Cathy and Hareton, we see the possibility of renewal, a quiet but powerful redemption that hints at healing, growth, and a break from the destructive patterns of the previous generation. By the end of this conversation, you may find yourself not only reconsidering the novel, but also longing to step into its world, because if you haven't yet visited Haworth, home of the Brontë family, you'll likely want to now. And for those eager to go even deeper, be sure to explore more of Dr. O'Callaghan's work, including her recent contribution to the transcription of a long-lost manuscript by Charlotte Brontë, a discovery that continues to expand our understanding of one of literature's most remarkable families.

https://claireocallaghan.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Bryan Banker to unpack the literary and historical weight of James by Percival Everett, a bold revisiting of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that challenges how we understand freedom, language, and power. Together, we explore how language becomes both a tool of survival and resistance within systems of oppression, and why, in the context of American slavery, the path to freedom ultimately required violent upheaval. The conversation also confronts the lingering distortions in how we remember this history, revealing how deeply embedded narratives still shape modern perspectives. We examine the sharp contrast between Mark Twain's use of humor and satire and Everett's relentless pacing, where every moment carries the tension of life or death.

James by Percival Everett is a bold literary reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, but told from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man who, in Twain's version, exists largely on the margins of the story. Everett centers Jim as the intellectual and moral core of the narrative, revealing a deeply perceptive, strategic, and linguistically adept character whose survival depends on carefully navigating the expectations of a white-dominated society.

One of the novel's most striking elements is its focus on language as both a mask and a weapon. Jim consciously shifts between different modes of speech, performing ignorance when necessary while internally maintaining a sharp, articulate voice. This duality exposes how language was used to enforce hierarchy, while also showing how it could be subverted as a means of resistance and self-preservation.

Set slightly closer to the American Civil War, the novel carries a heightened sense of urgency, where the threat of violence is constant and escape is not just a hopeful journey, but a perilous necessity. Everett strips away much of the romanticism and humor found in Twain's work and replaces it with a sharper, more immediate tension, forcing readers to confront the brutal realities of slavery more directly.

If you're interested in literature that forces you to rethink the past, and its impact on today, this episode delivers both intellectual depth and real insight. Also, read James by Percival Everett!