Novel Conversations Go to Novel Conversations

Rediscover the World's Greatest Stories

Frank Lavallo hosts two readers and the three of them summarize the world’s greatest works of classic literature, giving their reactions along the way. If SparkNotes had an audio best friend, it would be us!

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“1984” by George Orwell

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S7 Ep 8

Host: Frank Lavallo

Readers: Joan and Patrick Andrews

Author: George Orwell

Year of Publication: 1949

Plot: 1984 follows the life of Winston Smith, a low ranking member of ‘the Party’, who is frustrated by the omnipresent eyes of the party, and its ominous ruler, Big Brother. Orwell effectively explores the themes of mass media control, government surveillance, how a dictator can manipulate and control history, thoughts, and lives in such a way that no one can escape it.

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Season 7 Blooper Reel

Another epic outtake reel featuring Host, Frank Lavallo, and Readers, Elizabeth Flood, Phil Setnik, Peter Toomey & Katie Smith as they blunder and fumble during the making of Novel Conversations Season 7. Enjoy!
Listen to Season 7 Blooper Reel

“A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court” by Mark Twain

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S7 Ep 7: Mark Twain’s unique genre-mashing novel follows a modern man through time… From Connecticut to Camelot.
Listen to “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court” by Mark Twain

“The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy” by Laurence Sterne

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S7 Ep 6: A summary of the 19th century classic novel exploring in great detail the invented world of Tristram Shandy.
Listen to “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy” by Laurence Sterne

“The Tenth Man” by Graham Greene

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S7 Ep 5: A short novel by British novelists, Graham Greene, explores the consequences of a wartime decimation order.
Listen to “The Tenth Man” by Graham Greene

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