An Unlikely Visitor: James Weldon Johnson
Tess and Brock travel to Wiscasset, ME, to investigate the scene of James Weldon Johnson’s tragic death in a train accident. Author Russell Rymer gives us a glimpse of Johnson's life as a Black poet, diplomat, novelist, and activist—Johnson was a jack of all trades, master of all. Poet C.S. Gisco...
Volcano: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Tess and Brock put the spotlight on Edna St. Vincent Millay, the 20th century poet and feminist icon. Millay was notorious for her active “social life” among the NYC art scene during the height of the roaring ‘20s, but Tess and Brock focus on her prolific writing. Poet Gillian Obsorne has admired...
Who do you Love?: Edwin Arlington Robinson
Tess and Brock try to get on the same wavelength as Edwin Arlington Robinson, also known as EAR, by visiting his birthplace in Gardiner, ME. To get inside the head of the poet they talk with Richard Russo. Russo and EAR share more similarities than their status as Pulitzer prize winning Maine aut...
Mr. Popularity: Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow
Tess and Brock get to know Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow, the so-called hometown poet of Portland, ME. To find out whether Longfellow’s fame is justified, Tess and Brock head down to the Wadsworth-Longfellow house in the center of town. Longfellow wrote his first poem and other works in the house, b...
S1E557 - Important Authors' Homes: Why and How to Visit Them. Plus Are Airline Loyalty Programs Pyramid Schemes?
Episode Notes
Tess Chakkalakal and Brock Clarke of the Dead Writers Podcast were our first guests, arguing (between themselves) about whether or not you should make pilgrimages to the homes of authors you like. This was followed by Frommers.com columnist Bill McGee, discussing why air miles are ...
Are these the best books since 1945?
Join our book club!
www.lifeonbooks.com/club
Check out the James Wood list here:
https://www.listchallenges.com/the-elegant-variation-james-woods-best-books
Books mentioned in this episode:
Bomarzo by Manuel Mujica Lainez
https://amzn.to/4kx448N
https://bookshop.org/a/103053/978168137941
Scars b...
