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Artwork for Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films

Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films

Wes Alwan and Erin O'Luanaigh
Rime Of the Ancient Mariner
Le Samouraï
The Rime Of the Ancient Mariner
Guilt
Nature
Isolation
On the Waterfront
Notes From the Underground
Albatross
Love
The Treasure Of the Sierra Madre
Jean-Pierre Melville
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Loneliness
Edie
Union Corruption
Labor Rights
Terry Malloy
Pigeons
Redemption

Subtext is a book club podcast for readers interested in what the greatest works of the human imagination say about life’s big questions. Each episode, philosopher Wes Alwan and poet Erin O’Luanaigh conduct a close reading of a text or film and co-write an audio essay about it in real time. It’s literary analysis, but in the best sense: we try not overly stuffy and pedantic, but rather focus on un... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes202Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmBooksArts

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Artwork for Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films

Latest Episodes

Half the plot involves a man reuniting with his father—and his species—after being raised by Christmas elves. The other involves saving Christmas itself from the growing cynicism of humanity. And so like many of its genre, the film “Elf” connects Chr... more

Erin just published her first book, “Avail,” which you can order here: www.pauldrybooks.com/products/avail

“Avail” features a long prose-poem which titles the book and winds through sections of lineated, often formal poems. The prose-poem c... more

What happens when the Godzilla of superegos takes on a libidinal King Kong? Wes & Erin continue their discussion of the 1975 film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Upcoming Episodes: Erin’s book “Avail,” “The Third Man,” “Julius Caesar.”

Pre-ord... more

Nurse Ratched likes a rigged game, according to R.P. McMurphy. And it’s true that the game he is playing—lawless and hedonistic, but also vital and free-spirited—is unwinnable on her sandlot. As their conflict develops, we seem to be asked to compare... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Hosts

Erin O'Luanaigh
Co-Host and a poet with a deep understanding of literary art, focusing on themes of human experience and artistic expression.
Wes Alwan
Co-Host and a philosopher skilled in examining complex themes within classics of literature and cinema.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 521 ratings
  • Love!

    Huge fan of this podcast! Every time they cover something I’ve read or watched I’m so delighted. Fantastic observations

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HSpaulds
    United States4 months ago
  • Love this show!

    Best subtextual analysis out there…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    adam8652
    United States7 months ago
  • Question on Emily Dickinson

    Hey guys! Love the show. I had a question about the Emily Dickinson episode on “I felt a funeral in my brain.” Do you think there’s any possibility Ambrose Bierce read the poem and incorporated its insights into dying into “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    felix1062
    United States7 months ago
  • Great!

    Great show. Literary shows but with approachable hosts and not particularity condescending delivery are a delight.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Viking Paul
    Canada9 months ago
  • Excellent podcast for any (non-Californian) book or movie lover

    I was excited to discover this podcast so I was let down when I listened to the Die Hard episode and learned what the hosts think of Californians (41:07 - 43:30). The conversation purports to be about negative stereotypes of California but is really an argument for negative stereotypes of California. “What is it about California that is so objectionable to the New Yorker?” the hosts ask, and proceed to answer. Californians are weird, flaky, impractical, lacking in values, lacking in grit. New Yo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Pinch Me I’m Real
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the podcast's thoughtful and insightful analysis of literature and film, praising the hosts for their articulate discussions and ability to blend humor with depth.
Many find the conversational style engaging, often noting how it feels less like a formal lecture and more like a friendly dialogue among friends.
There are mixed reviews, with some critiques focusing on occasional dullness in conversation, but these are generally outweighed by overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the hosts' intellect and chemistry.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#119
Finland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#146
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#172
Taiwan/Arts/Books

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the rich intersections of literature and cinema, this series engages listeners with thought-provoking discussions on classic texts and films. Each episode features a close reading that reflects on the greater human experiences portrayed within these works, focusing on themes such as authority, individuality, love, and societal critique. The engaging conversational style of the hosts balances intellectual depth with accessibility, inviting a wide audience to consider how these artistic expressions connect to contemporary life.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
2. Entitled Opinions (about Life and Literature)
3. The History of Literature
4. Very Bad Wizards
5. The LRB Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 202 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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