John Barth - Sabbatical: A Romance

In this episode, the Spine Crackers read South African author Alan Paton's seminal novel of race, family, oppression, and the nature of nationhood, Cry, The Beloved Country! Full episode on patreon.com/spinecrackers

See how the Spine Crackers react in real time when one of their ranks reads the wrong book. Spoiler: IMPROMPTU 2025 YEAR IN REVIEW!

In this episode, the Spine Crackers discuss English travel writer, journalist, and novelist Bruce Chatwin's 1982 novel of place, family, aging, technology, and the march of history On the Black Hill!

The Spine Crackers return from their...well uh...extended break with a discussion of John Barth's 1982 metafictional romance of espionage, family, love, and death Sabbatical! Back again soon we promise.

In this episode, the Spine Crackers read American author Lauren Groff's 2021 historical novel of belief, sex, class, gender, mysticism and more, Matrix. Full episode available on Patreon as always!https://www.patreon.com/c/spinecrackers

In this episode the Spine Crackers discuss Percival Everett's 2020 novel of grief, loss, human connection, and agency in the face of a seemingly random and uncaring universe, Telephone. Full episode on Patreon as always!https://www.patreon.com/spinecrackers

The Spine Crackers review our 2024 in books, take questions from our Patrons, and reflect on what was and what is to come. Full episode for everyone this time, but check out our Patreon. See you guys again soon!patreon.com/spinecrackers

In this episode, the Spine Crackers discuss American author and critic Robert M. Coates' 1926 experimental, pseudo-Dada, proto-sci-fi, heist(?) novel The Eater of Darkness! Full episode on Patreon as always! https://www.patreon.com/c/spinecrackers

In this episode, the Spine Crackers discuss Susan Choi's 2019 National Book Award winning novel of trauma, memory, and the nature of storytelling, Trust Exercise! Full episode available on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/spinecrackers

In this episode, the Spine Crackers discuss postmodern master Italo Calvino's 1957 historical-fantasy-bildungsroman-fable-novel The Baron in the Trees. Full episode available at https://www.patreon.com/spinecrackers