008 - Vii episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 21, 2026 · 14 MIN

008 - Vii

from Gadsby · host Ernest Vincent Wright

In the heart of the early 20th century, fifty-year-old John Gadsby finds himself troubled by the decay of his beloved hometown, Branton Hills. Determined to revive the citys spirit, he inspires a group of passionate young residents to unite under the banner of the Organization of Youth, aiming to rejuvenate their community and elevate living standards. Despite facing opposition, Gadsby and his youthful allies embark on a transformative journey, reshaping Branton Hills from a stagnant town into a vibrant and thriving city. Spanning from around 1906 through World War I, Prohibition, and the era of President Warren G. Harding, Gadsby is not just a remarkable narrative; it is also a unique literary feat—a 50,000-word lipogram crafted without a single use of the letter E. Though it initially went unnoticed upon its release in 1939, modern critics have hailed it as probably the most ambitious work ever attempted in this genre. With physical copies of the book being exceedingly rare and fetching thousands of dollars, this story is a true gem for literature enthusiasts. (Summary by Availle and Wikipedia)

NOW PLAYING

008 - Vii

0:00 14:17

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

XL

May 7, 2026 ·7m

XLI

May 7, 2026 ·6m

XLII

May 7, 2026 ·2m

XLIII

May 7, 2026 ·9m

XXII

May 7, 2026 ·5m

XXIII

May 7, 2026 ·5m

Gadsby by Ernest Vincent Wright Loyal Books Fifty-year-old John Gadsby is alarmed by the decline of his hometown, Branton Hills, and rallies the city's young people to form an "Organization of Youth" to build civic spirit and improve living standards. Gadsby and his youthful army, despite some opposition, transform Branton Hills from a stagnant municipality into a bustling, thriving city. The story begins around 1906 and continues through World War I, Prohibition, and President Warren G. Harding's administration."Gadsby" is a lipogram - a whole novel of some 50.000 words without a single instance of the letter E. When it first appeared in 1939 it was hardly noticed by the general public, but a modern reviewer called it "probably the most ambitious work ever attempted in this genre". Hardcopies of the book are extremely rare and sell for thousands of dollars. Unstoppable Farce; The Mitch Maloney Story Mitch Maloney Unstoppable Farce tells the story of "Mr. Mirth" himself, in his own words, beginning with forty-five years of what might generously be described as a wasted existence before he decided to become the most successful FC (Famous Comedian) of all time. He describes how he created his Lithuanian Chupacabra alter ego, honed his signature Cheezy Pleezers bit, and became a viral sensation on Qlip Qlop and H!jnx. He dishes the dirt on touring with Hannah Gadsby and Dave Chapelle, what really went down behind the scenes at SNL, and what it was like to be the first (and last) comedian to play the Acropolis. And that's just the beginning. This audio production was made possible by the Seventh Reformed Church of Latter Day Witnesses. Audio engineering by Darbeliostriumopolatrius Macodivetticus. Theme music: "Ouchy" written and performed by Muddy Mitch with Sweet Tooth Delacroix. The Sam Gadsby Podcast Sam Gadsby I am documenting my journey of change and discovery as I go from earning an average salary to replacing this with an online income. Gadsby by Ernest Vincent Wright (1872 - 1939) LibriVox Fifty-year-old John Gadsby is alarmed by the decline of his hometown, Branton Hills, and rallies the city's young people to form an "Organization of Youth" to build civic spirit and improve living standards. Gadsby and his youthful army, despite some opposition, transform Branton Hills from a stagnant municipality into a bustling, thriving city. The story begins around 1906 and continues through World War I, Prohibition, and President Warren G. Harding's administration."Gadsby" is a lipogram - a whole novel of some 50.000 words without a single instance of the letter E. When it first appeared in 1939 it was hardly noticed by the general public, but a modern reviewer called it "probably the most ambitious work ever attempted in this genre". Hardcopies of the book are extremely rare and sell for thousands of dollars. (Summary by Availle and Wikipedia)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Gadsby?

This episode is 14 minutes long.

When was this Gadsby episode published?

This episode was published on February 21, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In the heart of the early 20th century, fifty-year-old John Gadsby finds himself troubled by the decay of his beloved hometown, Branton Hills. Determined to revive the citys spirit, he inspires a group of passionate young residents to unite under...

Can I download this Gadsby episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!