747 Graphomaniac - The Story of a Horrible Russian Poet (with Ilya Vinitsky and James H. McGavran III | My Last Book with Stephanie Sandler | #8 Greatest Book of All Time

The History of Literature

Jacke Wilson

Arts, History, Books

4.6 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 6 November 2025

⏱️ 74 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Dmitry Ivanovich Khvostov (1757-1835) might be the worst poet who ever lived. Pathologically prolific and delusional dedicated to a craft for which he had no talent, he continued to write and publish his poetry despite the pleadings of friends, loved ones, critics, and the public. In this episode, Jacke talks to author Ilya Vinitsky and translator James H. McGavran III about their book, The Graphomaniac: A Literary-Historical Discussion of Dmitry Khvostov as a Reprieve from Teaching, the Vanity of Worldly Affairs, and Melancholy Reflections Brought On by the Loss of a Front Tooth, Together with the Current Cultural and Political Situation. PLUS Stephanie Sandler (The Freest Speech in Russia: Poetry Unbound, 1989-2022), an expert in Russia's Golden Age of literature and Russian contemporary poetry, stops by to discuss her choice for the last book she will ever read. AND Jacke reveals the #8 Greatest Book of All Time! Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup closing soon)! 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. Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Find out more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, 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.
0:12.0	Hello, everyone, is Jack Wilson telling you that the History of Literature podcast tour through literary England is still accepting deposits, and we'd love to have you join us.
0:23.2	We will be visiting some of the greatest literary sites in history, including walks, tours,
0:28.2	pub visits, and leisure time activities, and with visits from scholars and other special guests
0:34.3	as we experience the amazing cities of London, Oxford, and Bath, in a small group
0:41.1	accompanied by yours truly. If you love literature and if you love life, you are not going to want to
0:47.2	miss this. It's next year in May of 26, but we need you to put down a deposit now so we can
0:53.8	finalize the itinerary.
0:56.1	2026 is around the corner, people.
0:58.5	Give yourself something to look forward to next spring.
1:02.5	You can find out more at John Shores Travel, John S-H-O-R-S,
1:07.1	or you can find the links to the itinerary and sign-up page at History of Literature.com.
1:13.3	Hope to see you soon.
1:15.5	Raybound metaglasses come with open-ear audio,
1:18.1	so you can listen to your favorite music without blocking out the world around you.
1:21.3	Hey, Messer, play gorgeous.
1:23.5	Here's Gorgeous by Doja Cat.
1:26.8	You can also ask meta-AI questions. Hey, Messer, when by Doja Cat. You can also ask Meta AI questions.
1:29.9	Hey, Mehta, when's Doja Cat's next concert?
1:33.3	Doja Cat is playing in London next Tuesday.
1:35.7	Sweet.
1:37.6	Rayban Meta Glasses, available at Rayban stores and other authorised retailers.
	...

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