Phi Fic means Philosophical Fiction. Each episode, we have a candid dicussion on a heady work of of fiction, full of SPOILERS. Join host Nathan Hanks and readers Cezary Baraniecki, Daniel St. Pierre, Laura Davis, and Mary Claire, plus the occasional guest.
In this episode, we discuss Ernest Hemingway’s last published work in his lifetime: The Old Man and the Sea. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and contributed to his being awarded the Nobel Prize in 1954.
PhiFic #24 “Ulysses” by James Joyce
Every life is in many days, day after day. We walk through ourselves, meeting robbers, ghosts, giants, old men, young men, wives, widows, brothers-in-love, but always meeting ourselves. –Ulysses
For our discussion of this historically difficult but wholly worthwhile classic, Nathan, Laura, and Daniel are joined by Phillip Cherny. It was recorded for our original Not School group, long before that group evolved into a podcast.
Hear more Phi Fic discussions at PhiFicPodcast.com.
Combat & Classics #19: Hemingway’s “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”
Is human life “nada”—nothing? In their discussion of Hemingway’s (very) short story, Brian, Lise, and Jeff examine the contrast between youth and old age and the states of being hurried versus unhurried.
Get more C&C on the PEL site or at combatandclassics.org.
Phi Fic #22 “Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf
Listen as Dylan Casey from The Partially Examined Life Podcast joins us to discuss this remarkable novel, in which many scholars believe Woolf found her voice. Written in a stream of consciousness, the plot of the book is written inside the souls, struggles. and angst of the characters.
Phi Fic #20 “Lord Jim” by Joseph Conrad
It is my belief no man ever understands quite his own artful dodges to escape from the grim shadow of self-knowledge. –Lord Jim
Listen along as we discuss this richly complex novel of responsibility, guilt, shame, and redemption.
Hear more Phi Fic discussions at PhiFicPodcast.
Phi Fic #16 Stories by Clarice Lispector
Our chinwag this time concerns two works by the remarkable Clarice Lispector, the novella The Hour of the Star and the short story “The Departure of the Train.”
Hear more Phi Fic discussions at PhiFicPodcast.
Phi Fic #15 “The State of the Art” by Iain M. Banks
This time, we talk about a novella in the late, great Iain M. Banks’s famed Culture sci-fi series, which is centered around a utopian, post-scarcity society that spans various planets (and other habitats) within the Milky Way galaxy.
Hear more Phi Fic discussions at PhiFicPodcast.
Phi Fic #7 “The Call of Cthulhu” by H. P. Lovecraft
“The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents.” —H.P. Lovecraft
Hear more Phi Fic discussions at PhiFicPodcast.com.
Phi Fic #4 “Grendel” by John Gardner
The group discusses the novel Grendel by John Gardner. Nathan Hanks is joined by Cezary Baraniecki, Daniel St. Pierre, Laura Davis, and Mary Claire.
Hear more Phi Fic discussions at PhiFicPodcast.com.
Phi Fic #3 Frankenstein (PEL Crossover Special)
Guest Wes Alwan joins regulars Nathan Hanks, Mary Claire, Daniel St. Pierre, Laura Davis, and Cezary Baraniecki to discuss Mary Shelley’s classic novel in this special cross-post from the newest member of the Partially Examined Life podcast network.