Literary Ramblings

Scott Talmage, Joe Hecker, Kevin McCarthy, and Wes Allen

In a book club spanning over a decade, Joe, Kevin, Wes, and Scott actually discuss the books- and now, it's a podcast! With a focus on serious fiction, the four explore context, interpretation, and criticism while enjoying a few drinks and lively banter.

There will be spoilers- so, if you haven’t read the novel, and would prefer not to hear plot points, pause this now, go read the book, and then press play.

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20 episodes
Avg 1 hr 17 min
English

Episodes 20

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August 18 · 1 hr 31 min
On Eleanor Catton"s Birnam Wood
In this episode, Joe, Wes, Scott, and Kevin dig into Eleanor Catton’s 2023 novel Birnam Wood. We discuss how effectively this literary thriller mixes environmentalism, politics, technology, and dark satire; our thoughts on Catton’s style; and whether her satire succeeds in taking aim at the powerful forces shaping our modern world. The episode also features original music by Sam Muccio. And, as always, if you’re a fan of the podcast, you might enjoy Joe’s novel, I Ain’t a Girl, available on Amazon.
July 16 · 1 hr 58 min
On László Krasznahorkai's War and War
On this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin tackle the 1999 novelWar and War by László Krasznahorkai. They discuss Krasznahorkai’s distinctive style, the novel’s obsessive protagonist, and they wrestle with one of the book’s central questions: How do we decide what is worth preserving, and how do we preserve it against the forces of time, technology, and human frailty? As always, the podcast features original music by Sam Muccio, along with a mention of Joe’s novel, I Ain't a Girl, available in paperback and e-book formats through Amazon.
June 3 · 1 hr 48 min
On Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend
On this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss The New York Times Book Review's top-ranked book of the 21st century. They explore the novel’s enduring appeal, widespread popularity, and critical acclaim, while also venturing into related topics such as pseudonymous authors and artists, the HBO adaptation, and more. As always, the podcast features original music by Sam Muccio, along with a mention of Joe’s novel, I Ain't a Girl, available in paperback and e-book formats through Amazon.
April 10 · 1 hr 49 min
On James Hogg's The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner
In this episode, Joe, Wes, Scott, and Kevin dive into James Hogg’s 1824 Scottish masterpiece, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner. Their conversation explores the novel’s strikingly modern, even proto-postmodern qualities, its surprising parallels with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and its use of the “found manuscript” literary trope. Along the way, they examine the book’s unsettling warnings about isolation, fanaticism, and the dangers of absolute certainty. As always, the episode features original music composed and performed by Sam Muccio. The show also includes a mention of Joe’s new novel, I Ain’t a Girl, now available on Amazon in paperback and e-book formats.
March 23 · 15 min
Bonus Short: On Playground, Lush Life, and The Fraud
In this bonus short, Joe reflects on three contemporary novels—Lush Life, Playground, and The Fraud—all drawn from a reading list shared by Ann Patchett. While each book engages directly with major issues like gentrification, AI, and colonialism, the episode asks a larger question: should literary fiction be defined by its response to current events? Joe offers a brief overview of each novel before pushing back on the idea that fiction’s value lies in addressing the zeitgeist, arguing instead for a deeper, less direct power—one rooted in ambiguity, perception, and lasting impact. Also included: a preview of the next episode on The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner.
March 11 · 1 hr 2 min
On Joseph E Hecker's I Ain't a Girl
This special episode of the podcast was recorded live at the Blue Couch Bookshop in Columbus, Ohio. Because the discussion centers on a critical conversation about Joe Hecker’s new novel I Ain’t a Girl, Wes Scott and Kevin take the first half of the episode on their own, discussing the book without Joe present. In the second half, Joe joins the conversation for a Q&A about the novel, the writing process, and some of the ideas behind it. If the conversation sparks your interest, I Ain’t a Girl is available as both a paperback and an e-book on Amazon.
February 20 · 16 min
On Don Carpenter's Hard Rain Falling
In this Bonus Short, Joe discusses Don Carpenter’s 1966 novel Hard Rain Falling. He explores Carpenter’s background, the novel’s existential struggles, and Carpenter’s possible place within the Beat Generation and the West Coast experimental writers of his time. Joe also considers the novel’s search for shelter from the “hard rain,” and much more. He closes by promoting his novel I Ain’t a Girl, available on Amazon in ebook and paperback, and announces a live podcast event on March 9th from 7–9 p.m. at Blue Couch Bookshop in Columbus, Ohio.
February 12 · 1 hr 33 min
On Marilynne Robinson's Gilead
In this episode, Joe, Wes, Scott, and Kevin dive into Marilynne Robinson’s 2005 Pulitzer Prize–winning novel Gilead. Their conversation explores themes of reconciliation and forgiveness, the role of religion in fiction, the moral responsibilities of parents, and the quiet dignity—and possible cost—of an unassuming life. As always, the episode features original music composed and performed by Sam Muccio. The episode also includes a mention of Joe’s new novel, I Ain’t a Girl, now available on Amazon in paperback and e-book formats.
January 16 · 1 hr 37 min
On Peter Matthiessen's Shadow Country
In this episode, Joe, Wes, Scott, and Kevin dive into Peter Matthiessen’s 2008 National Book Award–winning novel, Shadow Country. The conversation explores the construction of truth, the challenges of writing beyond one’s lived experience, what defines historical fiction—and whether Shadow Country truly qualifies—as well as the concept of the Jungian shadow and much more. The episode also features original podcast music composed and performed by Sam Muccio, along with the announcement of Joe’s new novel, I Ain’t a Girl, now available on Amazon in paperback and e-book formats.
Dec 19, 2025 · 1 hr 52 min
Reflections on Reading
In this special episode, Joe, Wes, Scott, and Kevin dive into a wide-ranging conversation about the act of reading, who’s doing it, and why literary fiction—however you define it—remains essential. This episode also features the premiere of our original podcast music composed and performed by Sam Muccio.
Nov 13, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
On Pynchon's Shadow Ticket
In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Thomas Pynchon's 2025 novel, Shadow Ticket. At 88 years old, Pynchon gives us another gem which we compare and contrast with his previous work, discuss who might follow in the footsteps of master's like Pynchon, delve into the cheese scandals of the 1930s and much more...
Oct 20, 2025 · 1 hr 37 min
Thoughts on Postmodern Literature via Arno Schmidt
In this episode, Joe, Wes, Scott and Kevin discuss the German postmodern writer Arno Schmidt and dive into what exactly postmodern literature is and what value it may or may not have.
May 21, 2025 · 1 hr 48 min
On Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian
In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. We discuss the Judge, the Kid, the nature of violence as presented by McCarthy, why there are no women in the nevel, the influence of Faulkner and Melville, and much more...
Mar 24, 2025 · 1 hr 35 min
On Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go
In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Kazuo Ishiguro's 2005 dystopian novel, Never Let Me Go. We discuss questions around what it actually means to be human, the ethical treatment of others, what exactly is YA, style vs content, and much more...
Feb 22, 2025 · 1 hr 28 min
On Rodrigo Fresán's Melvill
In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Rodrigo Fresán's 2022 work, Melvill. The post-modern biography centers on Herman Melville and his father who died after crossing the frozen Hudson River. We discuss Fresán's structure and playfulness, his many many literary allusions, the "bad father" trope, and much more...
Jan 18, 2025 · 1 hr 36 min
On Roberto Bolaño's 2666
In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Roberto Bolaño's 2004 work, 2666. This 900+ page work has been hailed Bolaño's masterpiece and one of the most significant novels of the 21st century. We discuss Bolaño's work as a post-Boom reaction to writers like García Márquez, the strength and weaknesses of each of the five sections, our favorite post- modern digressions and much more...
Oct 21, 2024 · 20 min
Bonus Short: On Donoso's The Obscene Bird of Night
In this Bonus Short, Wes shares his thoughts on José Donoso's The Obscene Bird of Night (1970). Wes helps us understand the complicated and twisting tale of this postmodern novel of identity and offers insight into the themes and ideas Donoso is working with.
Sep 25, 2024 · 1 hr 29 min
On Labatut's When We Cease to Understand the World
In this episode, Joe, Scott, Wes, and Kevin discuss Benjamín Labatut's 2020 work, When We Cease to Understand the World. The work is ranked 83rd on the NYT's list of The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. We focus on Labatut's strange blending of fiction and nonfiction and the way this parallels particle superposition in Quantum Mechanics, what happens to scientists when they look into the eyes of God, William Burroughs, and much more...
Sep 7, 2024 · 21 min
Bonus Short: On Percival Everett's James
In this Bonus Short, Joe shares his thoughts on Percival Everett's James (2024). Joe discusses Everett's choices in diverging substantially from the plot line and time period of Huck Finn where Everett's title character first appears in literature. Joe further discusses the value of Twain's Huck Finn and what Everett's novel introduces to the conversation.
Sep 2, 2024 · 12 min
Bonus Short: On Hanif Abdurraqib's There's Always This Year
In this Bonus Short, Kevin shares his thoughts on Hanif Abdurraqib's There's Always This Year (2024). Kevin discusses Abdurraqib's ability to move us from one image to another and to carry us to unexpected places.

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