This week David, Tim, and Heidi discuss which characters are most villainous in Ernest Gaines' novel, and dig in to the narrative and dramatic effect of leaving the gathering of old men right in the middle of the story.

A Gathering of Old Men: 110-167

And so we come to the end. Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dig (no pun intended) into the fiery (pun intended) ending to this classic book. Where do the book's sympathies lie in the end? Why did Darl go mad? Who is trustworthy? These and many other questions get discussed. Happy listening!

As I Lay Dying: Episode 4

Join David and Heidi as they dig in to Kenneth Branagh's movie adaptation of Death on the Nile. Is the movie in on the joke? Why is there no sand? What's up with Gal Gadot? Why do mustaches need back stories? These and many other questions get contemplated.

Bonus Episode: Death on the Nile Movie Discussion

In which David, Heidi, and Tim discuss river crossings, which characters the books seems to have the most sympathy for, and much more.

As I Lay Dying: Episode 3

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dig ever deeper into Faulkner's novel. Topics of conversation include mothers who are fish, mothers who are horses, buzzards, and Heidi's great delight in this book.

As I Lay Dying: Episode 2

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dig into the first quarter of William Faulkner's infamous (and mildly inscrutable) novel, As I Lay Dying. Topics of conversation include tops for reading Faulkner, the various points-of-view that tell the story, what happens at the outset, and much more. This episode is brought to you be BiblioFiles. Learn more at centerforlit.com.

As I Lay Dying: Episode 1

It's time to answer your questions about Death on the Nile, but first Tim has to answer a question from us. Then we discuss topics like movie casting, Christie's impact, Poirot's sense of justice, and much more.

Death on the Nile: Q&A Episode

In which we discuss Poirot's decision, Christie's puzzle-making, and Tim is insufferable (and gets muted for it). And much more, of course.

Death on the Nile: The Final Chapters

In which Tim predicts the ending of another mystery novel.

Death on the Nile: Chapters 10-20

It's time for a new book! It's time for the Queen of Crime. It's time for Hercule Poirot. It's time for some international intrigue. It's time for Death on the Nile! This week we talk about what makes Christie so good (and enduring), her approach to introducing characters in this book, and much more.

Death on the Nile: Chapters 1-9

A Podcast for the Incurable Reader

Close Reads is a book-club podcast for the incurable reader. Hosted by David Kern and featuring Tim McIntosh and Heidi White, alongside a couple of other occasional guests, we read Great Books and talk about them. This is a show for amateurs in the best sense. We’re book lovers, book enthusiasts. This is not an experts show and it’s barely literary analysis in the way that literary analysis is commonly understood. Instead it’s a show about experiences with literary urge. Join us! Close Reads is presented by Goldberry Studios. A NOTE ABOUT OLDER EPISODES: <a href="https://feed.pippa.io/public/shows/5a8c87b47780d3580eaacd1e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Since most podcast apps don't go further back than 100 episodes, you'll need to click here to listen to anything further back than that. </a> And our first 32 episodes <a href="https://feed.pippa.io/public/shows/5a8c994306c9cec7297078b9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">can be found here</a>, on the original CiRCE Institute feed.

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A Gathering of Old Men: 110-167

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Bonus Episode: Death on the Nile Movie Discussion

As I Lay Dying: Episode 3

As I Lay Dying: Episode 2