Reviews

Revisiting favorite episodes

Several years ago Jacke did an episode on the poem Goblin Market. My favorite episodes are ones in which Jacke reads to us. This particular ep sent me down a wild path of internet searching for all things related to that poem. I still think about it all the time. Looking forward to whatever Jacke has in store for us for Halloween.

kva11
Sept. 2, 2024

Love any episode with Mike Palindrome

Love when the host is discussing with Mike Palindrome. They have a wonderful back and forth, and I love hearing their reactions to each others perspectives. Keep it up!! (And please more episodes with Mike)

HerroMe
Aug. 5, 2024

Original and creative

Thoroughly enjoy his narrative and perspective. Really love his show and appreciate for what he does.

Cellowan
June 3, 2024

Enriching our lives

Jacke Wilson is giving us all a valuable service, for free. He helps us feel like we aren’t alone. There are others who share our love of literature. Jacke is our Virgil, guiding us through the modern world, helping us to understand, to be seen, to enrich our lives. Thank you Mr Wilson and of course Mr Palindrome, not to mention the many guests who all strive to make this world a more beautiful place

RequisiteNickname
April 14, 2024

Interesting & Smart

Thank you, again, Jacke. This podcast is a joy to listen to. Another masterful interview with Robin Lane Fox. I'm still trying to understand what or who Gar is.

DRLee13
Oct. 31, 2023

Fashion in literature

Your guest did not know that Paris was the fashion capital since the 17th century. Strange. Otherwise lovely episode.

nucuplmnjuyh
Oct. 29, 2023

Dostoevsky: Ridiculous man

First time I came across this podcast, purely by chance. This podcast was great. Need to give a second listen. Any chance of doing Seneca’s “ On Anger”?

Solly Ismail
Sept. 21, 2023

Completely enraptured

Jacke has everything what’s right in podcast listening. It’s his rhythm, it’s his hyperlink think... then there’s the deep knowledge of the author, the book, and those characters! He’s a character himself. This is the penultimate bedtime story, morning coffee, and my errands in the time of COVID. Thanks Jacke. Would love to have you interview Douglas Murray ——

Irishcatholic1934
Aug. 11, 2023

Necessary for life?

Well not really of course. But I fear to think what would happen if this podcast series ever ends. I would miss the History of Literature more than I can possibly express.

mayakittiekat
June 25, 2023

Jacke Wilson was born to narrate a podcast

I can’t stop listening

beetlover
June 22, 2023

Great podcast!

A delight all around!

Refresher of Hearts
May 22, 2023

Gold standard of podcasting

The benchmark for what a podcast should be. Incredibly enlightening and relaxing.

mstein1234
May 6, 2023

There’s a lot out there

Listen. I love literature. And there’s a lot of podcasts out there. This one is, by far, the most polished, professional, and interesting. You can tell Jacke is an academic with an amateur’s soul. If you love literature and want to hear fascinating conversations about philosophy and history, this is the podcast for you. Thanks, Jacke, for being the best!

Anonymous person 116
March 27, 2023

You’re Awesome!

Love this show!

Hummingbird 7
March 25, 2023

Life and Literature

A beautiful, entertaining, and insightful reminder of why we tell stories, why we talk about them, and, yes, why we read them.

Jordan in Dalian
March 10, 2023

His Penelope was Flaubert

I love you, Jacke!

nickanderhoey
Feb. 22, 2023

Great, unique voice

There are a lot of literature podcasts out there that can give you names and dates of an author’s life, and tell you where a work fits in the literary cannon. But only Jacke manages to blend those details with a true love of the work, getting emotional over a line and making his listeners feel the same. I love when he reads short stories, too. Jacke and friends have turned me into so many good authors, and helped me appreciate many others I would not have otherwise. I am curious about the “interns” though…

LA LightsNights
Feb. 16, 2023

Entertaining and informative

I’ve listened to the Jane Austen and Mary Shelley episodes. The host is delightfully funny and so informative. Look forward to listening to more.

Rlparbs
Jan. 23, 2023

Loyal listener

So many things to love about my favorite podcast: - Entertaining and informative host - Introductions to authors previously unknown - Inspires me to read unknown authors and authors I’ve been hesitant to try - Best theme song I’m smarter and better informed after I listen to Jacke!

bettybanjo
Nov. 28, 2022

Phenomenal

Helping keep the literary tradition alive from many perspectives with the source being nothing but the love of reading.

gkguitarhero
Nov. 16, 2022

History of Literature is a Great Podcast

Jack’s voice is so pleasant and his whimsical sense of humor is delightful. These attributes however are just bonuses to his interesting, insightful commentary on books and authors. Recently he read aloud Poe’s “The Telltale Heart” in such a wonderful way, with great understanding of Poe’s language. This is a podcast well worth your time.

pcdish
Oct. 21, 2022

Inspired

I know this podcast is designed to jump in anywhere, but I am so glad I listened to the trailer and the first episodes first - I am hooked and inspired! Jacke’s delivery is relatable and enjoyable. His commentary on Gilgamesh inspired a whole project I have embarked on to get more people reading and discussing it. I look forward to coming back to this podcast time and again!

Travels with Trip
Sept. 28, 2022

Delightful

I came to listen to an episode on Heart of Darkness to better understand it. This podcast is less “book summary” and more “this character is what I love about this book or let me spend 5 minutes dissecting this crucial sentence.” Little did I know how much I would love this style. The host’s chuckles, the 10-minute episode introductions, the personal asides—it’s all delightful. After that first episode, I promptly scrolled through the archives and downloaded 50 to watch. I listened to a half dozen and went scrolling back to download more. This podcast greatly enriches my appreciation for literature and makes me want to read more.

765knonoi
Sept. 27, 2022

Such a delight

I’m not a big podcaster, but I wanted to learn more about Fernando Pessoa before I went to Portugal for the first time, and this one popped up. What an absolute dream of a podcast. I teach English, and this podcast marries whimsy and information so well that it is both helpful as prep and food for my soul. Brilliant.

cmblass
July 28, 2022

Original and creative

Thoroughly enjoy his narrative and perspective

Cellowan
July 18, 2022

Brilliant Astuff

The host is erudite without being pretentious. The range of topcs and writers is amazing and Jacke handles them all deftly. I discovered it very recently while searching for a podcast that discussed Thomas Pynchon. I'm looking forward to catching up on all the episodes.

Dharma Albums
July 15, 2022

Happy Birthday Jacke

Not me having to stop my car to dry my tears . Each episode is better than the last.

kva11
July 12, 2022

Roger Ebert

Lovely! You just never know what brilliant nugget Jacke will uncover in his next episode. And as it happens, I sent my second son off to college just three years ago. Jackie’s musings could have been my own. I understood the sentiments exactly. Love this podcast. I am not as consistent a reader as I would like to be, but listening keeps me eager to pick up my next piece of fiction and I’ve been introduced to amazing writers I would never have found on my own. Thank You!

Bob74587
July 9, 2022

#418 Emily Dickinson Because I could not stop for death

Beautiful episode. You transported me to another world. Thank you!!

elbybo
June 24, 2022

Tonic for the Soul

I began listening in 2020, enraptured by Jacke’s Midwestern introduction to Jean Toomer. There’s just too much goodness to describe in the episodes on Joyce, Thoreau, Kafka, Dickens, Rilke, Alice Munro… Just get cozy, pick a favorite author, and listen.

Archy Leech
May 11, 2022