Zero to Well-Read

Jeff and Rebecca get existential as they ponder Franz Kafka's legendary surreal short story about a man who wakes up one day to discover that he has been transformed into a giant insect. They discuss the way Kafka blended realism, fantasy, and horror to explore family, identity, and the drive to self-expression, and they stop along the way to wonder: is this the best short story of all time? Vote for Zero to Well-Read in The Signal Awards, in both Best New Podcast and best Arts & Culture Podcast! Join us on Patreon for access to read-alongs, ad-free listening, and bonus content. Follow Zero to Well-Read on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Email us: [email protected] Thank you to ThriftBooks for being the presenting sponsor of this season of Zero to Well-Read! Zero to Well-Read is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT. Thanks to our sponsor Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/wellread with code wellread. Exclusions apply. Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca and Jeff pit reason against romance as they consider Jane Austen's beloved tale of sisters trying to find love and preserve their family's legacy. Join us on Patreon for access to read-alongs, ad-free listening, and bonus content. Follow Zero to Well-Read on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Email us: [email protected] Thank you to ThriftBooks for being the presenting sponsor of this season of Zero to Well-Read! Zero to Well-Read is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT. Thanks to our sponsor Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/wellread with code wellread. Exclusions apply. Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vote for Zero to Well-Read in the Signal Awards for Best Arts & Culture Podcast and Best New Podcast! Thanks to ThriftBooks for sponsoring this season of Zero to Well-Read. Zero to Well-Read is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca dive into John Steinbeck's epic, magisterial novel about fathers and sons, family legacies, and the question of free will. They discuss the story's biblical roots, Steinbeck's wide-ranging philosophy, the controversy that surrounded his Nobel win, and much more. Subscribe to our free newsletter, and become a member for access to early, ad-free listening and bonus content. Follow Zero to Well-Read on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Email us: [email protected] Thank you to ThriftBooks for being the presenting sponsor of this season of Zero to Well-Read! Zero to Well-Read is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This episode is sponsored by Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/wellread with code WELLREAD. Exclusions Apply. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to quince.com/wellread. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twenty years after it was published, Cormac McCarthy's The Road remains a landmark work of post-apocalyptic fiction. This week, Jeff and Rebecca explore what the bleak and beautiful story has to say about hope, humanity, masculinity, and the power of storytelling. Subscribe to our free newsletter, and become a member for access to early, ad-free listening and bonus content. Follow Zero to Well-Read on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Email us: [email protected] Thank you to ThriftBooks for being the presenting sponsor of this season of Zero to Well-Read! Zero to Well-Read is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to quince.com/wellread. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. This episode is sponsored by Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/wellread with code WELLREAD. Exclusions Apply. Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices