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Coffee with Hardcore Literature (Q&A AMA Episode IV) (Patreon)

Published:
2021-08-01 13:48:54
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Thank you once again to all of your amazing questions and insightful comments.

This was a really enjoyable episode of 'Coffee with Hardcore Literature', which covered a lot of ground.

We're talking about the best translations of the epics (like Homer, Virgil, Dante), being selective about our bookshelves, how to read Shakespeare, the books of Harold Bloom, Middle English Literature, getting started on Don Quixote, and much more.

Video Timestamps:

  • 0:00 Which editions of the epics do you recommend?
  • 12:53 How do you decide which books to keep and give away?
  • 17:09 When will you announce the secret Dickens read?
  • 18:42 Do you recommend any anthologies?
  • 23:47 Recommendations for reading Hamlet/Shakespeare
  • 28:48 Would you recommend His Dark Materials for a young reader?
  • 31:48 Aligning the book club schedule with one's reading
  • 34:00 Discussing the books of Harold Bloom
  • 36:52 Do you have any recommendations for Middle English Literature?
  • 42:00 On the nature of chivalric romance 
  • 44:28 On beginning Don Quixote 
  • 46:15 Showing you an incredibly old book gifted to me
  • 47:30 Recommendations for those enjoying Shakespeare's sonnets
  • 48:00 Recommendation for a Siddharta companion

Podcasts Mentioned:

Special thanks to Michael, Fiona, Len, Paul, Anna, Alice, Caroline, Bill, Florian for the questions and comments in today's show, and a huge thank you for everyone listening, watching, and reading along.

If you haven't seen the other Q&A videos yet, they can be found here:

And, as always, if you want me to answer any questions in the next one, just let me know either in a comment or PM.

Happy reading, everybody!

Files

Previews only

Coffee with Hardcore Literature (Q&A AMA Episode IV)

0:00 Which editions of the epics do you recommend? 12:53 How do you decide which books to keep and give away? 17:09 When will you announce the secret Dickens read? 18:42 Do you recommend any anthologies? 23:47 Recommendations for reading Hamlet/Shakespeare 28:48 Would you recommend His Dark Materials for a young reader? 31:48 Aligning the book club schedule with one's reading 34:00 Discussing the books of Harold Bloom 36:52 Do you have any recommendations for Middle English Literature? 42:00 On the nature of chivalric romance 44:28 On beginning Don Quixote 46:15 Showing you an incredibly old book gifted to me 47:30 Recommendations for those enjoying Shakespeare's sonnets 48:00 Recommendation for a Siddharta companion

Comments

Michael Kwong

Have been waiting this round for a long time! I just picked up 5 Dickens and 2 Arden Shakespeare from a thrift bookstore for HKD160! (Around GBP15). Very thrilled :D

Michael Kwong

Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectation, Our Mutual Friend, Hard Times, David Copperfield Shakespeare: Hamlet, Macbeth Still waiting you to reveal the Dickens big read :p

Anna Breslavskaya

Thanks for such a lovely Q&A episode! I can’t agree more that every Hamlet or King Lear performed, be it in a play or film, is different. I’ve seen the Hamlet of Benedict Cumberbatch and of Andrew Scott, I loved both performances but the differences were striking. A lot depends on directorial decisions as well. I appreciate the fact that often directors will put the events of a play in a new setting. The production with Cumberbatch is set at the beginning of the 20th century, the one with Andrew Scott in our times. It gives the play an incredibly modern look and makes it more relatable. By the way, much of my nascent love towards theatre is due a wonderful project called TheatreHD. They show recorded plays in cinemas around the world, so I can enjoy British theatre here in Moscow. I forgot to mention that thanks to your recommendation I’ve taken up (and am half way through) ‘How to read a book” by M Adler. I’ve also ordered our autumn reads and a beautiful edition of Shakespeare’s sonnets. Talking about short stories anthologies, I’ve got ‘the art of the short story’ by Dana Gioia and RS Gwynn. Hope it contains some of the stories you’ve chosen.

Bill Freeman

Ben - As I stated (albeit briefly) a few days ago, you have certainly found your medium to teach and communicate. These monthly communications are priceless. Thank you. You briefly mentioned possibly pursuing a master's in classical literature. Given your depth of knowledge and integration of literature, finding a program worthy of you will be very challening. I wish you well.

hardcoreliterature
>>64959325

Thank you, Anna :) I will have to check out those two Hamlets. I've been enjoying Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet over the last few nights (4-hour film version), and listening to Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud as I drive around. If you're a fan of the modern look, you might enjoy the Joss Whedon adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. Also great to hear you're enjoying Mortimer Adler's book, the sonnets, and some short stories. Your reading sounds wonderful, Anna!

hardcoreliterature
>>64985337

Thank you, Bill. I really appreciate that. A masters or doctorate would certainly be fun - one for the future, as right now this book club (joyfully) takes all of my time :) When the time comes, it will either be Classics or Art History!

Alice

Thanks for including my question! I am on the hunt for a used copy of The Riverside Chaucer and will check out Pearl and Mort d’Arthur! The great vowel shift is amazing! I don’t know why, but I find the evolution of language endlessly interesting. Perhaps something to do with the way language shapes our thoughts. Reminds me of George Orwell’s Politics and the English Language. Also - I hope Wuthering Heights is on the list for next year…I keep seeing a fuzzy green cover in the background of the your videos ;)

Jetzabel Peniche

Wonderful to view and listen coffee time with Hardcore Literature! Enjoyed it very much and the questions where very interesting. Thank you Ben for these chats !

hardcoreliterature
>>65566786

I find it fascinating too. English Language, treated as a separate subject from Literature, seemed almost scientific in its analysis of orthography and pronunciation. As for Wuthering Heights... Amazing... You may very well have guessed one of books early on the schedule for next year! But we must keep this a secret ;)