2MR: tenth composition book (Tómas Jónsson, Bestseller, Pages 238-281)

This week Patrick Smith (Best Translated Book Award judge, The Scofield) joins Chad and Lytton to talk about this incredibly powerful section of the book, which raises all sorts of topical ideas about adhering to national myths and the problems of masculinity. This is also the section where Hitler shows up, and where a character literally eats himself out of house and home. And this podcast is a crucial one in helping frame the way this novel simultaneously holds up and undermines a variety of dangerous, unpleasant ideas. After listening to this, we hope you will have an even broader and more nuanced understanding--and appreciation--of this great novel.   Reminder! On September 30th, we will be recording the final episode of this season of the Two Month Review at Spoonville & Sugartown in Brooklyn as part of Taste of Iceland. The First Lady of Iceland, Eliza Reid, will kick things off at 2pm with a lecture and reading, then at 3pm, Lytton and Chad will discuss the final section of Tómas Jónsson, Bestseller (and take audience questions), followed by a recpetion at 4pm. It's free to attend, so come on out and see us do this live!   Feel free to comment on this episode--or on the book in general--either on this post, or at the official GoodReads Group.   Tómas Jónsson, Bestseller is available at better bookstores everywhere, and you can also order it directly from Open Letter, where you can get 20% off by entering 2MONTH in the discount field at checkout.   Follow Open Letter, Chad Post, and Lytton Smith for more thoughts and information about upcoming guests. And follow Patrick Smith for a variety of literary insights and other commentary.   And you can find all Two Month Review posts by clicking here.   The music for this season of Two Month Review is "Long Year" by The Anchoress.   And please rate us on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts) and/or leave a review! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com