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

Published:
2021-08-22 18:10:10
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

This was an incredible episode of ‘Coffee with Hardcore Literature’.

You guys really went for it with the questions. They were all so deep, deserving entire videos in their own right, so thank you.

We have a dozen questions today, talking about when to admit defeat with an author, how to better appreciate Shakespeare (and other playwrights), contextualisation and defining writers, the modern reader vs the first reader, Oxford University, rereading, summoning courage to confront difficult books, and much more.

I read each question out in full and then respond to it. Feel free to jump to any topic/question you’re most interested in by using the timestamps, or grab a coffee or tea and enjoy whenever you can claim the time for yourself.

Video Timestamps:

  • 0:00 Thank you for your amazing questions
  • 2:00 Do you ever admit defeat with an author?
  • 13:20 How long before you can immediately get Shakespeare?
  • 17:10 Any info on members of the book club?
  • 21:40 Any recommendations for plays other than Shakespeare?
  • 28:26 What makes a writer a novelist rather than a playwright or poet?
  • 33:10 How much does context matter for reading books?
  • 37:30 How does the reading experience differ today than in the past?
  • 45:33 How much credit do you really give Oxford?
  • 50:42 Are you a fan of The Beatles?
  • 53:40 How do you approach rereading?
  • 56:40 How do I combat the feeling I should be “smarter” before reading these books?

Thank you for your great questions, and for your well-wishes with the house hunting. I am so grateful for all of your kind words.

And any questions not answered today will be joyfully embraced in the next episode!

Previous Q&A Shows:

Mentioned in the rereading discussion:

Happy reading, everybody!

Files

Previews only

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

0:00 Thank you for your amazing questions 2:00 Do you ever admit defeat with an author? 13:20 How long before you can immediately get Shakespeare? 17:10 Any info on members of the book club? 21:40 Any recommendations for plays other than Shakespeare? 28:26 What makes a writer a novelist rather than a playwright or poet? 33:10 How much does context matter for reading books? 37:30 How does the reading experience differ today than in the past? 45:33 How much credit do you really give Oxford? 50:42 Are you a fan of The Beatles? 53:40 How do you approach rereading? 56:40 How do I combat the feeling I should be “smarter” before reading these books?

Comments

Florian Pesantes

As always Benjamin a refreshing, thought provoking, mind widening lecture. You are a literature guide as much as a life coach. I must be careful not just to listen to you talking about books and life but reading and living in the time given to me. It’s a temptation there. I have an additional question, off topic I have to admit: the amber decorative object on the left hand side of your lower book shelve, what n=might it be. An Elephant? Or poor Yorick’s upper half? It is blurred as the camera focuses on your face and rightfully do.

Susanne Holm

Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself to the book club community. I am so happy I joined a week ago. My name is Susanne, I am a dane, sixty years old. I am a librarian by education, so of course a book lover. I just want to learn and read the greatest books, the greatest writers. I am so impressed and amazed at what you offer us here, Benjamin. Thank you so much :-)

Michael Kwong

Hi Ben, I have been reading Why Poetry by Matthew Zapruder this week, and this question just popped up in my head when you are answering poetry-related question in the video :) My question is: How would you consider a poem is good or bad? Would you be more focused on the underlying meaning? Or the context / background of the poet / the forms / the language being used / or any other elements. You have talked a lot about how we can appreciate a poem, focusing on reading a loud and rereading, and let the poem to wash through our soul. (which I totally I agree, and sometimes definitely have such moment!) So what I’m curious is, should I see it as a good poem if I am able to have such moment? Really want to see your view on this topic! It would be great if you can include this in your next coffee session 😁 Cheers!

hardcoreliterature
>>66295167

Thank you, Florian :) Ah, the amber wooden elephant is a souvenir from my sister's trip in India. Many years ago, when she was still young, I brought her back a wooden elephant from Thailand, and I suppose she thought to return the favour. Not Yorick's upper half, but I do have plans to buy a Shakespeare bust to decorate a new set I'm working on for videos :)

hardcoreliterature
>>66304550

Welcome to the club, Susanne :) Thank you for introducing yourself. It's so great to have you here! I do envy librarians. In another lifetime, I could very well have become one myself, and it was a librarian who was a key influence in my reading at a young age. And thank you for your kind comments, I really appreciate that and look forward to any insights you wish to share on the great books :)

hardcoreliterature
>>66318732

Wonderful question, Michael. Thank you so much for asking. This is another deep one, with a lot of different directions one could go in. All the great writers have their theories on this, and they often diverge wildly from each other. I have my thoughts too, so I'm keen to share them :) I had it in my mind for a while to offer a blind taste test, putting two poems next to each other - one good, one bad - and seeing how easy it were to tell. I'll incorporate this in my answer :)

Bill Freeman

Ben – These are always great. I want to share a few thoughts. I had a very classical education: undergraduate philosophy and graduate theology. I was a Roman Catholic seminarian for ten years with the intensity, pressure-cooker experience of academics, spirituality, and pastoral work, yet all amid the constant fear of getting thrown out. It was intensely horrible. It was 25 years later that I earned an MBA and 10 years after a doctorate. These later degrees were ‘work currency” degrees. It is only years afterward that I so appreciate the classical nature of my “first education.” I received deep and sustained exposure to the great thinkers and began to face the “hard questions” of life. The above leads into some thoughts about your Oxford experience. Previously, I have shared extensively and will not repeat it. But I will state that what you have described, particularly the common mental health issues and forced rustication is (IMO) academic malpractice. There is a galaxy between being rigorously challenged and brutally bullied. Recall that when you left, you had the feeling of a long-anticipated parole; the last thing you wanted to do was read. There is a saying in the academy, “never have so many fought so hard for so little.” So much of the academia seems to be about exacting pain – think “Lord of the Flies” freaky -- by people who should have learned from their own experience. As I asked weeks ago, would you have arrived at the place where you are now sans your Oxford experience? I think so. Yet, think Kintsuigi with its golden flares and missing pieces. You’ve mentioned additional studies. I have shared my thoughts about competency education. Your absolutely brilliant lectures as easily consumable podcasts, your mindful abilities, and kindness to support, sustain, and encourage are the testament of a master. You mention that additional education might “open doors.” What doors are closed to you, or better yet, which ones do you want to go through? I loved your soliloquy on the Beatles; they were a mainstay in my adolescence. I had just turned 16 when the “Sargent Pepper” album was released. Brittain has given us the Beatles, the Rollings Stones, and more. IMO, the greatest singer of all time was Freddy Mercury with the four-octave range. Check out his YouTube video with the Spanish opera diva, Montserrat Caballe singing “Barcelona.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1fiOJDXA-E As well, I believe that Eric Clapton is the greatest guitarist of all time. Thank you, Brittain! Two questions: I am intrigued by Hart Crane. Where should I start reading him? Also, I am near the end of DQ, Part 1. Should I stop? Thank you!

Anna Breslavskaya

Hello, Benjamin, thanks for this amazing video. I totally agree that given the limited time we've got for reading as well as pursuing other interesting things in life, we should be reading and talking about the authors we truly enjoy and learn from. At some point of my life I read close to nothing. I didn't see much point in it cos I'd just forget what I'd read in a few weeks. But then I realized that the books I tended to choose were just forgettable books. Life's too short to go for the mandane, and the effort initially required to get into Shakespeare or Cervantes is well worth the esthetic pleasure that comes afterwards. Here's another thought I just had on the difference between modern entertainment literature and the great literature. Many contemporary books (thrillers, detective stories and the like which are often wonderfully crafted ) are about reaching the last page, and satisfying the curiosity of who'd done it. While the great books provide for a long journey that we might wish would never end. Reading Shakespeare is not about knowing how it would end, not about finishing it, but about the process, about living it. It's the journey before the destination. I was wondering how you feel about the fantasy genre. I know you appreciate the Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter. Are there other writers you're keen on? I'm a big fantasy fan, fantasy books are always a feast of imagination and possibilities. It seems that fantasy stories have always been part of the literary narrative: the Greek myths, fairy tales, many Shakespeare's plays have fantasy elements. And I can't appreciate enough the skill of some contemporary writers to mix the old themes with the new, subverting and mixing them and brewing their magic. Nil Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson, Terry Pratchett, Frank Herbert, ahhh, they are wonderful! As for "play of the month" idea, count me in in anything related to theatre. Among my favorite playwrights are Terrence Rattigan, Noel Coward, Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller. I have yet to understand the subtleties of Harold Pinter, and Checkov. It's a shame that being Russian I still haven't got round to getting acquainted with Checkov's plays.

Anna Breslavskaya
>>66365791

Hello Bill, totally agree with you that Freddy Mercury is the best singer ever. Hearing the song Barcelona was literally the defining moment in my life, that was when I fell in love with English which eventually led to my degree and current occupation. And I can never have enough of Queen!

hardcoreliterature
>>66545417

Hello, Anna! Your experience of reading nothing because of too many forgettable books, and then making the conscious move to classics like Shakespeare and Cervantes, sounds so similar to my own experience! There was a time in my life where I was “reading” only bestsellers and book prize winners, with quantity as my measure, and I really struggled with the motivation to continue. Like you, I’d forget the book almost instantly. Cervantes and Shakespeare are difficult but that difficulty is rewarded with remembering their insights :) You’re so right about these books being about the journey rather than the destination. If we read Proust, or books like Richardson’s Clarissa, just to finish them, we wouldn’t find them very inspiring. Having no rush and enjoying the journey is so key! I’ve always been a big fantasy fan. My teenage years and early adulthood were filled with the authors you mention - I actually met Terry Pratchett and got a couple of first edition books signed by the great man before he passed away (his personal message to me in the front of The Wee Free Men still makes me smile). I’ve read Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, Neil Gaiman (I got Norse Gods the day it came out), Frank Herbert, Douglas Adams. And mythology is a deep love of mine. I choose to specialise on Shakespeare’s relationship with mythology for my final exams! And I’m so happy you’re up for Play of the Month :) You have great taste in playwrights!

Vandana

Thanks for the video Ben. It was really engaging. The one thing that jumped up when you talked about context is that I think you also learn empathy while you're reading because it trains you to understand different circumstances and human emotions that might be completely alien to you without jumping to judgement.

hardcoreliterature
>>66853745

Thank you, Vandana. You are so right! I would love to do a whole video on this topic, because books have helped me engage with, and empathise with, people to incredible degrees. For that reason alone, I would never stop reading :)

Bill Freeman
>>66853745

Hi Vandana - I love your concept of "learning empathy" from reading. Ben, it would be great if we could investigate that theme a bit. Vandana, on the theme of empathy here, is an article from Greater Good Magazine (Univ of Calf at Berkeley) on How Small Moments of Empathy Affect Your Life https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_small_moments_of_empathy_affect_your_life?utm_source=Greater+Good+Science+Center&utm_campaign=44d42100a6-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_GG_Newsletter_August_31_2021&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ae73e326e-44d42100a6-51127555. Thank care!

Vandana
>>66853745

Thanks so much for the article Bill. It was a fascinating read. I was intrigued by how the study showed that people had empathy towards positive responses more than negative on an average. I guess it's something worth chewing on that empathy doesn't always have to be equated to negative emotions or someone's suffering. And yes I definitely agree with you that learning empathy through books should be investigated a bit more. Ben would love to hear your thoughts more on this.

Debra

This episode really brought up a lot of feelings. Listening to you talk about your experiences at Oxford made me re-evaluate certain experiences I had at the University of California at Berkeley. As a computer science major, I wasn't able to take many literature classes, but when I did, I always got bad marks. I always felt that there was something "they" knew that I would never understand. Now I'm 70 and it's (past) time to learn. I'm so glad to have found you.