Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast

Against the Day: Ch. 43-44

After these last few episodes, it's starting to feel like these guys are the ones with their heads full of gas! At least this time they made it through more than the one

Against the Day: Ch. 42

At last, somewhere rational, even on a map, Göttingen! What a lovely place to set the scene for romance for Kit, and to finally get to know the real star of the show, Yas

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 consi

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.

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 k

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 d

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

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, Michae

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!

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 fee

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.

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 mattres

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 t

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

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 fee

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 w

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 d

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 ups

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 fee

Introduction

In this inaugural episode of Mapping the Zone, our hosts introduce themselves and discuss a few topics to provide some insight into who they are and what they love about