725 The Trial by Franz Kafka (#21 GBOAT) | Edith Wharton and Patrick O'Brian (with Olivia Wolfgang-Smith) | An Uplifting Story

The History of Literature

Jacke Wilson

History, Books, Arts

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 14 August 2025

⏱️ 82 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jacke starts the episode with an uplifting story, then submerges himself into chaos and absurdity for a look at The Trial by Franz Kafka, which lands at #21 on the list of Greatest Books of All Time. Then he welcomes novelist Olivia Wolfgang-Smith to the show for a discussion of her admiration for Edith Wharton, her passion for the works of Patrick O'Brian (author of the Aubrey-Maturin series), and her latest work Mutual Interest, a dishy novel about ambition, sexuality, and the rise of a capitalist empire in post-Gilded Age New York. Join us on tour! The History of Literature Podcast Tour is happening in May 2026! Act now to join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with ⁠John Shors Travel⁠. Find out more by emailing [email protected] or [email protected], or by contacting us through our website ⁠historyofliterature.com⁠. Or visit the ⁠History of Literature Podcast Tour itinerary⁠ at ⁠John Shors Travel⁠. The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at ⁠gabrielruizbernal.com. Help support the show at ⁠patreon.com/literature ⁠or ⁠historyofliterature.com/donate ⁠. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at ⁠thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	The History of Literature Podcast is a member of the Podglomerate Network and Lit Hub Radio.
0:13.4	Hello, everyone. The History of Literature podcast is going on tour. Next spring, I'll be going with a small group of travelers to London, Oxford, and Bath,
0:24.4	where we will visit the land of Dickens, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and more.
0:29.7	A trip to remember.
0:32.6	If you're interested in learning more about how you can join,
0:35.8	you can check out the itinerary at
0:37.8	History of Literature.com or by visiting our partner at John Shores Travel, that's Shores
0:44.0	without an E. Or just send me an email at Jack Wilson Author at Gmail.com. That's J-A-C-E,
0:52.0	Wilson Author at Gmail-mail.com.
0:55.2	Let's give ourselves something to look forward to in 2026.
0:59.9	We would love to see you there.
1:08.8	Hey, Harry.
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1:39.5	Hello, today on the podcast, we have an uplifting story.
1:43.2	We continue our list of 25 books for 2025 with number 21,
1:48.5	The Trial by Franz Kafka. Plus, we talked to novelist Olivia Wolfgang Smith about her passion for the seafaring books of Patrick O'Brien,
	...

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