424 Karel Čapek (with Ian Coss)

07/11/22 • 56 min

1 Listener

Czech novelist Karel Čapek (1890-1938) might be best known as the pioneering science fiction writer who first coined the term "robot." But readers have long appreciated the transcendent humanity of his works. "There was no writer like him," Arthur Miller once said, "prophetic assurance mixed with surrealistic humor and hard-edged social satire: a unique combination...a joy to read." In this episode, Jacke talks to podcast producer Ian Coss about the life of Karel Čapek, his contributions to literature, and how Čapek's celebrated novel War with the Newts inspired Ian's audio fiction series Newts, a farcical, yet deadly serious tale about an alternate history of the 1930s, in which the Western world discovers, exploits, educates, arms, and is ultimately overthrown by a species of highly intelligent, three-foot tall salamanders. SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT: We conclude the episode with a trailer for Newts.

Additional listening suggestions:

Subscribe to Newts at the following links:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newts/id1621525265
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K7X2gY9MwYFWuXEdpyFC7
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/newts
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcHJveHkuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS9uZXd0c3BvZGNhc3Q
Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/5kerq5l8
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/newts/PC:80522
RSS: https://feeds.feedburner.com/newtspodcast

Help support the History of Literature Podcast at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/shop. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at www.thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature.

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Additional listening suggestions:

Subscribe to Newts at the following links:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newts/id1621525265
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K7X2gY9MwYFWuXEdpyFC7
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/newts
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcHJveHkuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS9uZXd0c3BvZGNhc3Q
Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/5kerq5l8
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/newts/PC:80522
RSS: https://feeds.feedburner.com/newtspodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

423 Roger Ebert

2 Recommendations

Jacke spends his birthday reflecting on Chicago film critic Roger Ebert (1942-2013), the Judd Apatow show Freaks and Geeks, and other literature-and-life topics. Enjoy!

Additional listening suggestions:

Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/shop. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at www.thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature.

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Next Episode

425 Tom Stoppard (with Scott Carter)

1 Recommendations

Born Tomáš Sträussler, in what was then Czechoslovakia, celebrated playwright Tom Stoppard (1937- ) became one of the best known British playwrights in the world. Known for his with and humor, his facility with language, and the depth of his philosophical inquiries, he found success with plays like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Coast of Utopia, The Invention of Love, and The Real Thing. He has also been a successful writer for radio, television, and film, with scripts like Shakespeare in Love and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade benefiting from his eye for drama and ear for dialogue. In this episode, Jacke talks to television producer and playwright Scott Carter about his admiration for Tom Stoppard's life and works.

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