Episodes

  • "The rest is silence."

    "The rest is silence."
    May 26 2024
    "The rest is silence."

    From Hamlet, by William Shakespeare.

    Hamlet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, centered on Prince Hamlet's quest for revenge against his uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father to seize the throne. Shakespeare, widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in history, masterfully explores themes of mortality, madness, and betrayal in this iconic play.

    Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds.

    Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.
    Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

    Now available as eBooks on Amazon Kindle: Dive into Part 1 and Part 2!
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • "Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun."

    "Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun."
    May 25 2024
    "Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun."

    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams.

    "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" is a comedic science fiction series by Douglas Adams, following the intergalactic adventures of an unwitting human, Arthur Dent, and his alien friend, Ford Prefect. Douglas Adams was a British author known for his wit and imagination, creating a unique blend of humor and science fiction that has captivated readers for decades.

    Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds.

    Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.
    Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

    Now available as eBooks on Amazon Kindle: Dive into Part 1 and Part 2!
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • "Yukiko's diarrhoea persisted through the twenty-sixth, and was a problem on the train to Tokyo."

    "Yukiko's diarrhoea persisted through the twenty-sixth, and was a problem on the train to Tokyo."
    May 24 2024
    "Yukiko's diarrhoea persisted through the twenty-sixth, and was a problem on the train to Tokyo."

    The Makioka Sisters, by Junichiro Tanizaki.

    "The Makioka Sisters" written by Junichiro Tanizaki, is a poignant novel that explores the lives and relationships of four sisters from an aristocratic Japanese family during the 1930s and early 1940s. The story delves into themes of tradition, modernity, and the societal changes in Japan, highlighting the sisters' struggles to maintain their family's status and cohesion amidst a rapidly evolving cultural landscape.

    Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds.

    Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.
    Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.
    Now available as eBooks on Amazon Kindle: Dive into Part 1 and Part 2!
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • "In the spirit of the dead, the living, and the unborn, empty your ears of all impurities, o listener, that you may hear my story."

    "In the spirit of the dead, the living, and the unborn, empty your ears of all impurities, o listener, that you may hear my story."
    May 23 2024
    "In the spirit of the dead, the living, and the unborn, empty your ears of all impurities, o listener, that you may hear my story."

    "Wizard of the Crow" by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, is a satirical novel set in the fictional African country of Aburĩria, exploring themes of power, corruption, and resistance through a blend of magical realism and political commentary. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, a renowned Kenyan author and playwright, is celebrated for his works that critique colonial and post-colonial African societies, advocating for cultural and linguistic decolonization.

    Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds.

    Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.
    Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.
    Now available as eBooks on Amazon Kindle: Dive into Part 1 and Part 2!
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • "There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it..."

    "There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it..."
    May 22 2024
    "There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it, you've got to stand it."

    Brokeback Mountain, by Annie Proulx.

    "Brokeback Mountain" a poignant novella by Annie Proulx, explores the complex and tragic relationship between two cowboys in the American West, highlighting themes of love, longing, and societal constraints. Annie Proulx, an acclaimed American author, is known for her richly detailed storytelling and evocative portrayals of rural life, earning numerous accolades including the Pulitzer Prize for her novel "The Shipping News."

    Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds.

    Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.
    Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.
    Now available as eBooks on Amazon Kindle: Dive into Part 1 and Part 2!
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • "We should begin with the house, the house that made me."

    "We should begin with the house, the house that made me."
    May 21 2024
    "We should begin with the house, the house that made me."

    Yaa Gyasi, "Homegoing".

    Yaa Gyasi's "Homegoing" is a powerful debut novel that traces the parallel paths of two half-sisters and their descendants, spanning over three hundred years from the Gold Coast of Africa to the plantations of the American South and the Civil War. The novel intricately explores themes of slavery, colonialism, and the lasting impacts of these historical injustices on subsequent generations.

    Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds.

    Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.
    Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.
    Now available as eBooks on Amazon Kindle: Dive into Part 1 and Part 2!
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • "As I left China farther and farther behind, I looked out of the window and saw a great universe beyond the plane's silver wing."

    "As I left China farther and farther behind, I looked out of the window and saw a great universe beyond the plane's silver wing."
    May 20 2024
    "As I left China farther and farther behind, I looked out of the window and saw a great universe beyond the plane's silver wing. I took one more glance over my past life, then turned to the future. I was eager to embrace the world."

    Wild Swans, by Jung Chang.

    Jung Chang is a Chinese-British author best known for her groundbreaking memoir "Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China" which chronicles the lives of three generations of women in her family against the backdrop of China's tumultuous history. She is also the author of a comprehensive biography of Mao Zedong, co-written with her husband Jon Halliday, titled "Mao: The Unknown Story," which offers a critical perspective on the Chinese leader's life and legacy.

    Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds.

    Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.
    Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

    Now available as eBooks on Amazon Kindle: Dive into Part 1 and Part 2!
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • "I say that Nhamo's grandmother was a witch because the people of the village said so. And she was."

    "I say that Nhamo's grandmother was a witch because the people of the village said so. And she was."
    May 19 2024
    "I say that Nhamo's grandmother was a witch because the people of the village said so. And she was."

    "Nervous Conditions“, by Tsitsi Dangarembga.

    Tsitsi Dangarembga's debut novel, "Nervous Conditions" (1988), holds the distinction of being the first novel published in English by a Black woman from Zimbabwe. In 2018, the BBC recognized it as one of the top 100 books that have shaped the world.

    Bookends of Brilliance is an engaging podcast series exploring the art and impact of literary openings and closings. Just as a symphony's first note sets the tone for a musical journey, the initial words of a story immerse us in its essence. Each episode delves into these magical beginnings, revealing how they encapsulate themes and transport readers to unique worlds.

    Conversely, the series celebrates the power of closing lines – those words that resonate long after the book ends. These sentences often hold profound moments, leaving a lasting impact.
    Join us as we uncover the craft and beauty of literary openings and closings, enriching your appreciation for the enduring power of words. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a casual reader, this series promises to enhance your understanding of literary art.

    Now available as eBooks on Amazon Kindle: Dive into Part 1 and Part 2!
    Show more Show less
    1 min