ArtsBooksExplicit

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast

Thomas Pynchon books discussed here!

Each episode, we take a deep-dive into the book we are focusing on—we explore the references, characters, plot, and everything in between from a non-scholarly point of view. We are just four fans who love these books and can talk about them endlessly.

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24 episodes
Avg 2 hr 28 min
English

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Episodes 24

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Friday · 1 hr 16 min
Bonus Episode - Heather Parry
Visit Heather Parry's Substack (general observations on eggs): https://substack.com/@heatherparry If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salmons-run/id6789264747 As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Spreadshop: https://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com/ Editing/production by Max Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com
September 1 · 3 hr 26 min
Infinite Jest: "The Powdered Milk Fiasco"
Next episode: Pages 698-808 (ending at “...his face unspeakable”) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/
August 28 · 3 hr 57 min
Against the Day: Ch. 40-41
That—over there! Is it... the Q weapon? Wait, what's it do, anyway? What has the Hanseatic League got to do with a 20-sided die now? Where is Dally? Hold it, who is she kissing? Ugh, my head. Pairing recommendation: an NSAID Next episode: Ch. 42-43 (p. 589-615) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Books: M. Son of the Century by Antonio Scurati TV: Mussolini: Son of the Century https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salmons-run/id6789264747 As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Spreadshop: https://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com/ Editing/production by Max Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com
August 21 · 1 hr 19 min
Bonus Episode: Adaptations (and The Odyssey... a bit)
We like to talk, so we thought we'd record ourselves yapping about the Christopher Nolan adaptation of The Odyssey (and adaptations in general). If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Spreadshop: https://mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com/ Editing/production by Max Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com
August 14 · 3 hr 19 min
Against the Day: Ch. 38-39
While the lines have been set since the first pages of this novel, it seems some of our hosts feel it's only recently fully caught wind in its sails, and the lot of them seem pleased as punch. What that means for you, dear listener, is plenty of history, of course! Really, what would you do without us? Next episode: Ch. 40-41 (p. 557-588) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salmons-run/id6789264747 As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Editing/production by Max Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com
August 1 · 3 hr 24 min
Infinite Jest: "I always end up finding more than I thought I would"
Another month means another 100ish page section of Infinite Jest! This month features uncomfortable hugs, uncomfortable drugs, Randy Lenz being the absolute worst, Michael Pemulis being close to the absolute worst, and more backstory than you can shake a large wooden spoon ideal for eating granola with at. Next episode: Pages 601 - 698 (ending at “She could barely stand to think about them, even at the best of times, which the present was not.”) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Books: The Chaos Machine by Max Fisher Film/TV: The Wire (HBO) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com
July 31 · 2 hr 45 min
Against the Day: Ch. 36-37
For the first time, listen to the crew of your fair show abdicate their preferred fine-toothed approach! Is it fair? You be the judge! Are you offended? Tell us! Engage! Engage like your lives depend on it! But worry not, kind audience, for the "Stupendica" and its ports of call are so historically salient to satisfy any apparently-endless craving for contextualization and discussion. Bon appetit! Next episode: Ch. 38-39 (p. 525-557) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salmons-run/id6789264747 As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Editing/production by Max Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com
July 17 · 3 hr 46 min
Against the Day: Ch. 34-35
If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Films/TV: Burn These Books (https://www.youtube.com/@BurnTheseBooks) Music: Brazil (dir. Terry Gilliam, 1985); Dark City (dir. Alex Proyas, 1998) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Editing and production by Max (Thanks Max!) Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com
July 3 · 3 hr 22 min
Against the Day: Ch. 32-33
After some much-needed psychic rehabilitation, the whole crew is back together, and like Lindsay and the other Chums reuniting, we're diving in deep straight off the bat. Things do get twisted, perhaps even time itself, with a tinker like Merle at Candlebrow up to his elbows in the stuff. Please have your textbooks with you. Next episode: Ch. 34-35 (p. 460-488) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Films/TV: Burn These Books (https://www.youtube.com/@BurnTheseBooks) Music: Brazil (dir. Terry Gilliam, 1985); Dark City (dir. Alex Proyas, 1998) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Edited by: Max (thanks Max!) Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com
July 1 · 2 hr 35 min
Infinite Jest: Il ne faut plus qu'on pursuive le bonheur
How is a book this long, still this good, this far in? Gately gets a job, Marathe and Steeply converse and wax philosophical, and a young JOI helps his dad move a mattress. Put your empty glass of peppered tomato juice down somewhere and join us in this latest episode. Next episode: Pages 503-601 (ending at “Orin’s smile wasn’t as cool as he though as he told the seated figure that that was a matter of opinion.”) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Books: Forget the Alamo, by Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson, and Jason Stanford; David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest: A Reader's Guide, by Stephen J. Burn; A Reader's Companion to Infinite Jest, by Robert Bell and William Dowling; Elegant Complexity: A Study of David Foster Wallce's Infinite Jest, by Greg Carlise Film/TV: Short Cuts (dir. Robert Altman, 1993) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com
June 1 · 3 hr 9 min
Infinite Jest: "Like Last Time, Only Moreso"
Next episode: Pages 410 - 503 (ending at “This was how I first became interested in the possibilities of annulation.”) If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Film/TV: Twin Peaks: The Return (2017; dir. David Lynch) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com
May 29 · 1 hr 1 min
Bonus Episode - Billy Woods "Hiding Places"
Finally wrapping up our hiatus episodes, Will is back, and he's stirring the pot again. Inside, listeners will find a lyrical brief on billy woods & Kenny Segal's Hiding Places, making this a meaningful step in the evolution of our show, as it lasts longer than the subject matter. The better thing to do may be to just listen to the album. You know you want to. If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com
May 22 · 50 min
Bonus Episode - The Franchiser by Stanley Elkin
If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit) bradspersecond.com
May 15 · 33 min
Bonus Episode - R.A. Lafferty
On this week's bonus episode, Luke discusses the short stories, novels, and life of R.A. Lafferty. Give it a listen? Yeah, you should. If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone You can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get early access to our Infinite Jest series as well as any other bonus episodes/series we do down the road (or just to support us!) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com
May 8 · 1 hr 15 min
Bonus Episode - Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution (w/ Sara Marcus)
In the first of our series of bonus episodes in-between parts 2 and 3 of Against the Day, we talk with Sara Marcus about her 2010 book about the Riot Grrrl movement. We discuss the bands, the music, the zines, and the revolution itself. If you're looking to hear Riot Grrrl music, I've compiled a playlist (see below) of bands and artists who were either part of the movement or who I feel are carrying the torch of those women into the 21st century. You don't need Tidal to play it; the playlist will open in any streaming platform. If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone You can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get early access to our Infinite Jest series as well as any other bonus episodes/series we do down the road (or just to support us!) If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Music: https://tidal.com/playlist/05b96c9e-0a9c-40b2-a200-8e36e5215b29 As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com
May 1 · 3 hr 43 min
Infinite Jest: "I just need to put the book down and go for a walk"
It's a beautifully tragic series of scenes we get with this section of the book. While this is some of the best writing in the novel, thus far, it's also tremendously upsetting and hard to get through. There's still plenty of humor and weirdness to be found, so join us as we talk about the ups ad downs of this motley cast of characters. If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com
April 24 · 1 hr 15 min
Slow Learner: Low-lands
If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone You can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get early access to our Infinite Jest series as well as any other bonus episodes/series we do down the road (or just to support us!) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Edited by: Max Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com
April 10 · 2 hr 3 min
Against the Day: Part 2 Wrap Up (w/ Brett Biebel)
It's been nearly a year and a half since we started covering Against the Day and we've finally come to the end of Part 2, Iceland Spar! With us for this wrap-up is friend of the show (and basically the fifth host) Brett Biebel who chats with us about what makes Against the Day such an incredible work of fiction and what we love so much about it (so far). If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone You can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get early access to our Infinite Jest series as well as any other bonus episodes/series we do down the road (or just to support us!) As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com
April 8 · 2 hr 42 min
Infinite Jest: "Mmmyellow?"
The story begins to take more shape, the characters are becoming more dynamic, and the world is making as much sense as it can in this section of the book. Join us as we talk about the importance of Marathe's conversation with Steeply, Americanisms, the haunting backstory of Himself, and so much more. Next episode: Pages 306 - 410 If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com
March 27 · 3 hr 44 min
Against the Day: Ch. 30-31
If you like what we're doing and want to support the show, please consider making a donation on Ko-Fi. Funds we receive will be used to upgrade equipment, pay hosting fees, and help make the show better. https://ko-fi.com/mappingthezone You can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts to get early access to our Infinite Jest series as well as any other bonus episodes/series we do down the road (or just to support us!) If you enjoyed our discussion, please check out the following media that relates to these chapters: Books: William Vollmann’s Seven Dreams series Video Games: Disco Elysium, Final Fantasy VI As always, thanks so much for listening! Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthezone.bsky.social Twitter: https://twitter.com/pynchonpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mappingthezonepodcast/ Merch: mapping-the-zone.myspreadshop.com Show art by Brad Wetzel: @bradspersecond (on IG and Reddit)bradspersecond.com

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