The Great American Novel podcast is an ongoing discussion about the novels we hold up as significant achievements in our American literary culture. Additionally, we sometimes suggest novels who should break into the sometimes problematical canon and at other times we’ll suggest books which can be dropped from such lofty consideration. Your hosts are Kirk Curnutt and Scott Yarbrough, professors with little time and less sense who nonetheless enjoy a good book banter.
This episode focuses on Zora Neale Hurston’s classic, revered novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. We discuss the complicated history of Hurston’s interactions with the elite of the Harlem Renaissance and the reaction of some of those literati to the novel, and we dig deep in a thorough consideration of the themes and motifs of the book.
For Canon Fodder, we suggest James McBride’s The Good Lord Bird.
All show music is by Lobo Loco. The intro song is “Old Ralley”; the midpoint intermission is “The First Moment,” and the outro is “Inspector Invisible.” For more information see here: https://locolobomusic.com/.
Website: https://greatamericannovel.buzzsprout.com/