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The History of Literature

73 Javier Marias and the Philosophical Novel

The History of Literature

Jacke Wilson

History, Arts, Books

4.61.3K Ratings

🗓️ 27 December 2016

⏱️ 51 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The Spanish novelist Javier Marías (b. 1951) has led a fascinating life, from his childhood as the son of a philosopher to his role as the king of a Caribbean island that has been ruled by a succession of writers. Marías’s philosophical novels have been translated into 42 languages and celebrated throughout Europe – and yet, as the New York Times Book Review noted, he remains largely unknown in America. Why is that? And what are Americans missing? Host Jacke Wilson is joined by Mike Palindrome, the President of the Literature Supporters Club and an ardent devotee of Javier Marías, to discuss Marías and his novel A Heart So White.  Show Notes:  Contact the host at jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or by leaving a voicemail at 1-361-4WILSON (1-361-494-5766).  You can find more literary discussion at jackewilson.com and more episodes of the series at historyofliterature.com. Check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/historyofliterature. On Twitter, you can follow Jacke Wilson at his handle @WriterJacke. You can also follow Mike and the Literature Supporters Club (and receive daily book recommendations) by looking for @literature SC. Music Credits: “Handel – Entrance to the Queen of Sheba” by Advent Chamber Orchestra (From the Free Music Archive / CC by SA). “Sweeter Vermouth” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.    *** This show is a part of the Podglomerate network, a company that produces, distributes, and monetizes podcasts. We encourage you to visit the website and sign up for our newsletter for more information about our shows, launches, and events. For more information on how The Podglomerate treats data, please see our Privacy Policy.  Since you're listening to The History of Literature, we'd like to suggest you also try other Podglomerate shows surrounding literature, history, and storytelling like Storybound, Micheaux Mission, and The History of Standup.   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 Podglamorate Network and LIT Hub Radio.

0:07.0

Today's episode of The History of Literature is brought to you by audible.com

0:14.3

get a free audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at

0:18.0

www dot audible trial dot com slash holh-h-o-l over 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, Kindle, or

0:28.6

MP3 player. That's W-W-W-W-W dot audible trial dot com slash h-h-W-W-DOT trial.com slash H-O-L. Okay, I'm Jack Wilson, welcome to the podcast.

0:54.0

Let's start with some Shakespeare today.

0:57.0

We're going to listen to a snippet from a performance by the amazing Judy Dench in her 1979 portrayal of Lady Macbeth.

1:07.1

Macbeth here is played by Sir Ian McKellan. Is this a wonderful world or what?

1:14.0

They have these two individuals playing these two roles.

1:18.0

This is from Act 2, scene 2.

1:27.0

What's that knocking? I was it with me when every noise appalls me.

1:36.0

What hands I hear?

1:38.0

They pluck out to my eyes.

1:52.0

Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand. Now this my hand will rather the multitude in a seas in Canada, making the green.

2:08.7

One red. Rest. My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white.

2:36.8

I hear a knocking at the South entry. Retire we to our chamber.

2:38.7

A little water clears us of this deed.

2:41.3

How easy is it then?

2:46.0

To wear a heart so white.

2:48.0

It's a wonderful line that I've overlooked before.

2:51.0

Shakespeare's so rich, so deep. It's easy to do that. There's another line in Macbeth.

2:57.0

It says, it is a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing.

...

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