x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast

Thomas Pynchon books discussed here!

Each episode, we take a deep-dive into the book we are focusing on—we explore the references, characters, plot, and everything in between from a non-scholarly point of view. We are just four fans who love these books and can talk about them endlessly.

arts books

All Episodes

183:30

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 66-70

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/09/15

We had quite a bit to talk about this week. The themes, plot lines, and character arcs are getting wrapped up and loose ends are starting to be tied together. Some of Pynchon’s strongest prose, funniest scenes, and thematic elements are on full display in these five chapters, so we hope we can help shine some light on something you may have missed previously or, if this is your first read, something that may not have been apparent.Please pre-order Brett Biebel's Mason & Dixon Companion:

en

147:17

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 61-65

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/09/08

More were-creatures, please! Cody was unable to join the conversation this week, so Kate, Luke, and Will covered these chapters. The discussion covered the mystical mounds M&D examine, Eastern medicine and Spiritualism, the early settlement of America by non-indigenous people, Stig’s “true” identity, Hsi and Ho’s parallels to M&D, the Synoptic Problem, and so much more.Please pre-order Brett Biebel's Mason & Dixon Companion:

en

169:44

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 56-60

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/09/01

We avoided getting trapped in an 11 day time-vortex, but we did get stuck on some great discussions about these chapters. Despite there not being much in terms of M&D plot, we found a lot to talk about between the tabloid talk show escapades of Chapter 59, the smoke-filled party of Chapter 58, and the epic Lambton Worm story in Chapter 60. Friend of the show and author of a forthcoming Mason & Dixon companion Brett Biebel sent us a great article which we have linked below. Stick around after

en

168:55

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 51-55 (Part 2)

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/08/25

The Curse of these chapters almost got us again, but we came through (despite getting us off-schedule for a week). Kate is back to discuss her thoughts on the chapters and we dive into some areas we didn't get to last time around. Stick around after the episode (if you'd like to) for a lengthy discussion on a number of topics (including our pitch for a new Willy Wonka movie).Please pre-order Brett Biebel's Mason & Dixon Companion:

en

143:06

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 51-55 (Part 1)

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/08/11

You read it right, this is part one of two episodes covering Chapters 51-55. If you’ve previously read these chapters, you’ll know why we’re doing two episodes covering them. If this is your first time through, you’ll understand. There is simply too much happening in these chapters to cover in just one episode so, after recording, we decided to cover more of it next week. For now, we’ll talk about Mason & Dixon’s prank war, Dixon being a “dog-person”, the ominous cave they encounter, and start

en

168:48

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 46-50

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/08/04

We thought this would be a shorter episode, but once we got to discussing the goings-on in these chapters, we just kept going. We talked about the culture of reading, the buffoonery of Darby & Cope, Golems, and much more. We also had a pretty lengthy (spoiler-free) conversation about Oppenheimer and Barbie, which is featured after the discussion on the chapters, so stick around if you're interested.Please pre-order Brett Biebel's Mason & Dixon Companion:

en

138:04

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 41-45

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/07/21

We could have spent this whole episode discussing the duck again. Instead, we talked about the darker side of American history, M&D navigating uncomfortable social situations, well-balanced bathtubs, property and marriage divisions, and, of course, everyone’s favorite duck.Please pre-order Brett Biebel's Mason & Dixon Companion: https://ugapress.org/book/9780820365831/a-mason-and-dixon-companion/As always, thank you so much for listening!Email: ⁠mappingthezonepod@gmail.com⁠Twitter:

en

122:17

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 36-40

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/07/14

Gastronomy, astronomy, an automaton duck with a vengeance against chefs, discussions about sandwiches, the eucharist, democratic representation, beavers as a pest and food source, and so much more is crammed into these five chapters. We had a great time talking about them and hope you enjoy our conversation.Please pre-order Brett Biebel's Mason & Dixon Companion: https://ugapress.org/book/9780820365831/a-mason-and-dixon-companion/As always, thank you so much for listening!Email:

en

163:57

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 31-35

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/07/07

We had quite a lot to discuss in these chapters, so prepare for a longer than usual episode. The brutality and senselessness of the Paxton boys (and American colonialism in general), talking watches that shapeshift into vegetables, westward expansion and the impact of capitalistic real estate, and so much more.We invite you to share your thoughts with us about the book, these chapters, or anything else we discussed so we can bring it up in a future episode. We can be reached at any of the social

en

122:24

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 26-30

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/06/30

We took an extra week off due to scheduling issues, but we're back to start Part II: AmericaAfter landing in Philadelphia, Mason & Dixon are greeted with a bounty of new experiences and faces: street hawkers, founding fathers, secret societies, dreadfully lifelike wax figures. They discuss various topics with Benjamin Franklin, get high with George Washington, and witness the aforementioned Franklin’s electric performance. It was a wild five chapters and we had a great time discussing them.We

en

70:04

Mason & Dixon: Part I - Latitudes and Departures with...

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/06/09

We’ve finished the first section of Mason & Dixon and are joined by Brett Biebel, author of A Mason and Dixon Companion (published by University of Georgia Press) which is scheduled for release in March 2024. Brett has been sharing his knowledge of the history behind Mason & Dixon as we have been going through the book and his insight has been invaluable. Join us as we talk about the goings-on of Part I: Latitudes and Departures, who we would cast for an M&D adaptation, Dixon’s suave

en

135:26

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 21-25

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/06/02

British "pizza", a hipster werewolf, attempted hurdy-gurdy music, and eccentric historical figures are all present alongside critiques of capitalism, explorations of the concept of ley-lines, and some much needed backstory for Dixon. Join us this week as we discuss Chapters 21-25, the final five chapters of Part I of Mason & Dixon.We have decided to tack on some non-Pynchon discussion we had during our recording, which can be found after our sign off. If you like the extra topics of

en

115:44

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 16 - 20

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/05/26

The wheel of cheese turns, and memories are, perhaps, not an accurate representation of events. Mason recalls meeting Rebekah, encounters a cramped museum dedicated to a bizarre historical event, and we get significant insight into several of his relationships. All this, plus missing days, ghosts, and fights against the passage of time.Next week, we will cover Chapters 21-25.Please pre-order Brett Biebel's Mason & Dixon Companion:

en

137:31

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 11 - 15

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/05/19

Visions of deceased loved ones, an island with an evil living within it which gives it a sentient quality, a secret room in a tavern wherein an unspeakable horror becomes fuel for disturbing escapades, astronomy, astrology, and a pair of talking clocks—Chapters 11-15 of Mason & Dixon is packed with all of these and more. Join us as we discuss what we liked and didn’t like in these chapters.Next week, we will cover Chapters 16-20.Please pre-order Brett Biebel's Mason & Dixon Companion:

en

108:05

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 6 - 10

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/05/12

Mason & Dixon continue on the early stage of their journey, making their way to, and spending time in, Cape Town. While there, they encounter paranoid Dutch authorities, women who throw themselves at guests of their house for nefarious purposes, and ketjap; so much ketjap. All while they await the transit of Venus—an astronomical event which will impact all who witness it.Please pre-order Brett Biebel's Mason & Dixon Companion:

en

117:18

Mason & Dixon: Chapters 1 - 5

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/05/05

Needing to maintain the food and lodging situation he has been granted, the Reverend Wicks Cherrycoke tells a tale to his young nephews (and any other family members willing to listen) the story of Charles Mason and Jerimiah Dixon—their meeting and initial travels being the focus of these first five chapters. Along the way they meet a talking dog, find themselves stuck in a naval skirmish, and begin to forge a friendship that will continue to grow throughout the novel.Thank you for joining us as we

en

52:16

The Crying of Lot 49: Wrap Up

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/04/21

One down, eight to go! With The Crying of Lot 49 complete, we discuss our views on the book as a whole and the future of the podcast. We are taking a week off and will return with the first episode of our next book, Mason & Dixon, on 05 May 2023. We are (for now) following the group read-along from Reddit for our reading schedule, so the first episode will consist of the first five chapters. Join us as we dive into the the only "authentic" 18th century novel written in 1997. Thank you so much for

en

125:27

The Crying of Lot 49: Chapter 6

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/04/14

Oedipa learns about the history of W.A.S.T.E. and, as a result, realizes both the breadth of Inverarity's ownings and the desolation she has allowed herself to fall into. The search for meaning behind the symbols she has been seeing comes to a head and Oedipa attends the auction of Pierce's estate to try and see who the mysterious person with extreme interest in the stamp collection could be. We'll be back next week with a wrap-up on The Crying of Lot 49 and to discuss the next book we'll be

en

121:38

The Crying of Lot 49: Chapter 5

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/04/07

Fully cemented into the idea of W.A.S.T.E, Oedipa has several encounters which provide her further insight into the vastness of the underground organization. A meeting with Nefastis proves he is true to his name; an unnamed man at a bar has her realize that W.A.S.T.E. may be more than what she initially thought; a drunken night wandering the streets leads to sightings of muted post horns (or were they?); and a tense scene with Dr. Hilarius plays out in his office. Chapter 5 has a lot going on and we

en

100:37

The Crying of Lot 49: Chapter 4

Mapping the Zone: A Thomas Pynchon discussion podcast ·

2023/03/31

Wrapped in paranoia like it was a blanket, Oedipa makes her way to a shareholder’s meeting at Yoyodyne, wherein she meets anti-Capitalist Stanley Koteks who seemingly confirms the existence of W.A.S.T.E. Oedpia goes on to return to the Scope with Metzger and Fallopian before finding her way to a retirement home where she meets Mr. Thoth, who spins a yarn that seems to connect to the secretive underground mail network Oedipa is so desperately trying to prove the existence of. Katie (who helped get

en

105 results

Similar Podcasts

Start The Breakthrough Full Audiobook Now, Thriller Fans!

thebookvoice.com

Get Hooked On The Life-Enhancing Full Audiobook Experience!

thebookvoice.com

西四五条

主播郑捕头

Podcast Patapoe

0d0a

On Mic Podcast

Jordan Rich