Welcome to your new favourite book club. If you enjoy deep dives into the greatest books ever written, you will love Hardcore Literature. Provocative poems, evocative epics, and life-changing literary analyses. We don't just read the great books - we live them. Together we'll suck the marrow out of Shakespeare, Homer, and Tolstoy. We'll relish the most moving art ever committed to the page and stage from every age. Join us on the reading adventure of a lifetime.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Ep 91 - The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Aug 14 1 h 43 min
Ep 90 - How to Live the Great Books: Life-Changing Reading Habits
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Mar 7 1 h 51 min
Ep 89 - Book Club Schedule for 2026
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Jan 1 1 h 44 min
Ep 88 - Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Dec 7 2025 1 h 48 min
Ep 87 - Appreciating Shakespeare on My Birthday
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Mar 17 2025 1 h 25 min
Ep 86 - Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Feb 23 2025 1 h 21 min
Ep 85 - The Interpretation of Dreams (Freud)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Jan 27 2025 1 h 30 min
Ep 84 - Book Club Schedule for 2025
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Dec 30 2024 1 h 00 min
Ep 83 - Reflecting on Reading the Great Books in 2024
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
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2. Jo
Dec 29 2024 1 h 37 min
Ep 82 - Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Nietzsche)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
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2. Jo
Dec 23 2024 1 h 27 min
Ep 81 - The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
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2. Jo
Nov 6 2024 1 h 19 min
Ep 80 - How to Read Poetry for Personal Growth
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Oct 19 2024 1 h 31 min
Ep 79 - The Tragedy of Othello (Shakespeare)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Oct 2 2024 1 h 21 min
Ep 78 - The Essays of Montaigne
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Aug 1 2024 1 h 39 min
Ep 77 - Tartuffe (Molière)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Jul 15 2024 1 h 24 min
Ep 76 - Hedda Gabler (Ibsen)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Jul 2 2024 1 h 00 min
Ep 75 - King Lear (Shakespeare)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Jun 25 2024 1 h 32 min
Ep 74 - Faust (Goethe)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
May 3 2024 52 min
Ep 73 - The Prince (Machiavelli)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Jo
Apr 25 2024 1 h 29 min
Ep 72 - The Tragedy of Hamlet (Shakespeare)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
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2. Jo
Mar 9 2024 1 h 20 min
Chart trend
Position in the Books chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#100#198JunJulAugSep
#15
all-time peak
67
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Hardcore Literature ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 20, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I love listening to this podcast as someone who loves classic literature, but has never really been taught how to get the most out of it. This show has no extra theatrics which I love and the host is extremely well spoken.
Alli Figueroa · Jun 2025
If you are seeking informed, erudite treatment of superior literature you may depend on Ben McEvoy. His insights are a joy!
Israelbenaron · Mar 2025
THIS is what I’ve been looking for. I found Benjamin on YouTube and have since joined the Patreon as well (which is equally incredible). I’m a writer and I’ve been stuck lately. This podcast, and Ben’s enthusiasm and passion and wisdom in general, have given me something I didn’t even know I needed. I’ve been obsessed since I found him a month ago. Delving deeply into love of literature has become a source of spiritual inspiration for me, like I’m connecting to the soul of our world through the works he discusses. It has really been a gift to me, a very meaningful one. Instead of doom scrolling or brain rotting through the news, I listen to Ben dissect great books. Can’t recommend it enough for anyone who enjoys reading. And don’t worry, you don’t even need to read everything he talks about. Just listening to a joyful and intelligent person is refreshing enough sometimes.
Pandoraaj009 · Mar 2025
Thorough, interesting, thoughtful and in-depth deep dives into some of the best selections in the literary world.
shikawgo · Mar 2025
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Hardcore Literature, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
