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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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"A Picture Of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde

Novel Conversations | S:8 E:8
'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is a story of a young, beautiful man named Dorian whose wish is granted his wish when his portrait ages on his behalf...
Listen to "A Picture Of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde

"To The Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf

Novel Conversations | S:8 E:7
'To The Lighthouse' is an introspective, philosophical novel about the small joys and quiet tragedies of everyday life....
Listen to "To The Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf

"Sir Gawain & The Green Knight" by Gawain Poet

Novel Conversations | S:8 E:6
The famous Arthurian tale of Sir Gawain, nephew of King Arthur, who must travel to face his demise at the hands of the supernatural Green Knight....
Listen to "Sir Gawain & The Green Knight" by Gawain Poet

"Billy Budd" by Herman Melville

Novel Conversations | S:8 E:5
Billy Budd is Herman Melville's final novel about a gregarious young sailor who is antagonized by a fellow crew member....
Listen to "Billy Budd" by Herman Melville

"Death Comes For The Archbishop" by Willa Cather

Novel Conversations | S:8 E:4
S8 E4: Willa Cather's beautiful rendition of the story of Father Latour, the first Catholic Bishop to the U.S. territory of New Mexico....
Listen to "Death Comes For The Archbishop" by Willa Cather

"It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis

Novel Conversations | S:8 E:3
S8 E3: A summary of Sinclair Lewis's prescient political novel about an American fascist takeover, "It Can't Happen Here"....
Listen to "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis

"And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

Novel Conversations | S:8 E:2
S8 E2: A summary of Agatha Christie's classic mystery novel "And Then There Were None"...
Listen to "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

"Dracula"

Novel Conversations | S:8 E:1
S8, E1: Dracula is an epistolary novel about the supernatural Count Dracula, a vampire who comes to haunt the English seaside town of Whitby....
Listen to "Dracula"

Season 7 Blooper Reel

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

“1984” by George Orwell

Novel Conversations | S:7 E:8
S7 Ep 8: A summary of Orwell’s wildly popular dystopian novel that explores, with great suspense, a totalitarian and surveillance society....
Listen to “1984” by George Orwell

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

Novel Conversations | S:7 E:7
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

Novel Conversations | S:7 E:6
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

Novel Conversations | S:7 E:5
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

“The Sparrow” by Mary Doria Russell

Novel Conversations | S:7 E:4
S7 Ep 4: A philosophical novel wrapped in science-fiction, The Sparrow explores life beyond our own and the mysteries within....
Listen to “The Sparrow” by Mary Doria Russell

“Advise and Consent” by Allen Drury

Novel Conversations | S:7 E:3
S7 Ep 3: A summary of the compelling 1959 political fiction novel....
Listen to “Advise and Consent” by Allen Drury

“The Time Machine” by H.G. Wells

Novel Conversations | S:7 E:2
S7 Ep 2: This classic science fiction tale follows a Time Traveller’s astonishing firsthand account of his journey 800,000 years beyond his own ti...
Listen to “The Time Machine” by H.G. Wells

“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury

Novel Conversations | S:7 E:1
S7 Ep 1: This 1953 dystopian novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and knowledge has consequences....
Listen to “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury

Novel Conversations Season 6 Blooper Reel

Novel Conversations | S:6 E:9
A compilation of outtakes featuring the host and readers from Season 6 of Novel Conversations....
Listen to Novel Conversations Season 6 Blooper Reel

“Till We Have Faces” by C. S. Lewis

Novel Conversations | S:6 E:8
S6 Ep 8: C.S. Lewis’s final novel, Till We Have Faces, is a retelling of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche....
Listen to “Till We Have Faces” by C. S. Lewis

“Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf

Novel Conversations | S:6 E:7
S6 Ep 7: The 1925 classic novel details a day in the life of a fictional high-society woman in post–First World War England....
Listen to “Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf

“The Red Pony” by John Steinbeck

Novel Conversations | S:6 E:6
S6 Ep 6: The episodic 1933 novella follows Jody Tiflin and his life on his father's California ranch....
Listen to “The Red Pony” by John Steinbeck

“Jude the Obscure” by Thomas Hardy

Novel Conversations | S:6 E:5
S6 Ep 5: A summary of the Victorian era novel exploring the doomed relationships of an aspiring scholar....
Listen to “Jude the Obscure” by Thomas Hardy

“The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Novel Conversations | S:6 E:4
S6 Ep 4: A summary of the American classic novel that explores Hester Prynne’s moral dilemma as an adulterer....
Listen to “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

“Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut

Novel Conversations | S:6 E:3
S6 Ep 3: A summary of the celebrated 1969 science fiction-infused anti-war novel....
Listen to “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain

Novel Conversations | S:6 E:2
S6 Ep 2: Written eight years after Tom Sawyer, this novel continues to tell the stories of youthful adventures in boyhood, as Huck Finn and his tr...
Listen to “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain

“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain

Novel Conversations | S:6 E:1
S6 Ep 1: A summary of Mark Twain's 1876 classic novel about a young schoolboy and his gang of mischief troublemakers....
Listen to “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain

Novel Conversations Season 5 Blooper Reel

Novel Conversations | S:5 E:9
A compilation of outtakes featuring the host and readers from Season 5 of Novel Conversations. Enjoy!...
Listen to Novel Conversations Season 5 Blooper Reel

“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

Novel Conversations | S:5 E:8
S5 Ep 8: An exploration of Mary Shelley’s 1818 Gothic novel and dark cautionary tale about the dangers of science....
Listen to “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

“Parnassus on Wheels” by Christopher Morley

Novel Conversations | S:5 E:7
S5 Ep 7: A summary of Christopher Morley’s 1917 novel about a fictional traveling horse-drawn wagon filled with books....
Listen to “Parnassus on Wheels” by Christopher Morley

“The Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc” by Mark Twain

Novel Conversations | S:5 E:6
S5 Ep 6: A summary of Mark Twain’s 1896 novel exploring the life of Joan of Arc and her heroic effort to end the Hundred Years’ War under Charles ...
Listen to “The Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc” by Mark Twain

“White Fang” by Jack London

Novel Conversations | S:5 E:5
S5 Ep 5: A summary and explanation of Jack London's 1906 American classic exploring nature and instinct....
Listen to “White Fang” by Jack London

“Main Street” by Sinclair Lewis

Novel Conversations | S:5 E:4
S5 Ep 4: A summary of the 1920 Nobel Prize Award winning novel about a wannabe socialite and her struggle to adopt small-town life. ...
Listen to “Main Street” by Sinclair Lewis

“Candide” by Voltaire

Novel Conversations | S:5 E:3
S5 Ep 3: A summary of the 1759 French satire that follows a young man named Candide on his many misadventures throughout his conflicted, yet optim...
Listen to “Candide” by Voltaire

“Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert

Novel Conversations | S:5 E:2
S5 Ep 2: A summary of the 1856 romantic drama about a disillusioned wife and her struggle to find contentment in a dull marriage....
Listen to “Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert

“The Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain

Novel Conversations | S:5 E:1
S5 Ep 1: A summary of the 1882 adventure novel about two two boys, a Prince and a beggar, and how they cope with trading places....
Listen to “The Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain

"East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Novel Conversations | S:4 E:8
S4 Ep.8: A summary of Steinbeck's 1952 masterpiece exploring two American families during WWI...
Listen to "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

"To Have and Have Not" by Ernest Hemingway

Novel Conversations | S:4 E:7
S4 Ep7: A summary of the 1937 depression-era novel that explores how poverty produces criminals...
Listen to "To Have and Have Not" by Ernest Hemingway

"The Moon is Down" by John Steinbeck

Novel Conversations | S:4 E:6
S4 Ep6: A summary of the 1942 political novel that draws parallels to Nazi Germany...
Listen to "The Moon is Down" by John Steinbeck

"Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austen

Novel Conversations | S:4 E:5
S4 Ep5: A summary of the 1817 romance novel that explores the influence of the Gothic novel on a young girls fancies...
Listen to "Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austen

"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand

Novel Conversations | S:4 E:4
S4 Ep4: A summary of the 1957 novel that explores the relationship between capitalism and government bureaucracy...
Listen to "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand

“Tortilla Flat” by John Steinbeck

Novel Conversations | S:4 E:3
S4 Ep 3: A summary of the 1935 novel portraying a small band of vagabond friends enjoying life and wine in the days after the end of World War I....
Listen to “Tortilla Flat” by John Steinbeck

“Arrowsmith” by Sinclair Lewis

Novel Conversations | S:4 E:2
S4 Ep 2: A summary of the 1925 Pulitzer Prize winning novel depicting the life and complexities of a medical professional in the 1920’s....
Listen to “Arrowsmith” by Sinclair Lewis

"Persuasion" by Jane Austen

Novel Conversations | S:4 E:2
S4 Ep 1: A summary of the 1817 romance novel that explores the plight of impoverished gentility in Regency England....
Listen to "Persuasion" by Jane Austen

“Mansfield Park” by Jane Austen

Novel Conversations | S:3 E:8
S3 Ep 8: A summary and explanation of Jane Austen’s 1814 novel depicting the issues of 19th century social relationships and morality...
Listen to “Mansfield Park” by Jane Austen

“The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck

Novel Conversations | S:3 E:7
S3 Ep 7: A summary and explanation of John Steinbeck’s 1939 Nobel Prize winning novel accounting the disparity and struggles of the Great Depressi...
Listen to “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Ernest Hemingway

Novel Conversations | S:3 E:6
S3 Ep 6: A summary and explanation of Ernest Hemingway’s 1940 novel exploring wartime clashes during the Spanish Civil War...
Listen to "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Ernest Hemingway

"Emma" by Jane Austen

Novel Conversations | S:3 E:5
S3 Ep 5: A summary and explanation of Jane Austen’s novel about youthful hubris and the perils of misconstrued romance...
Listen to "Emma" by Jane Austen

"Babbitt" by Sinclair Lewis

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:4
S3 Ep 4: A summary and explanation of Sinclair Lewis’ 1922 satirical novel critiquing life in middle-class American...
Listen to "Babbitt" by Sinclair Lewis

“Animal Farm” by George Orwell

Novel Conversations | S:3 E:3
S3 Ep 3: A summary and explanation of George Orwell’s 1945 satirical take on Stalin’s Russia...
Listen to “Animal Farm” by George Orwell

"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Novel Conversations | S:3 E:2
S3 Ep 2: A summary and explanation of William Golding’s 1954 dystopia that reveals the dark side of social governance...
Listen to "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

“The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway

Novel Conversations | S:3 E:1
S3 Ep 1: A summary and explanation of Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel exploring post-war attitudes and adventures in Pamplona...
Listen to “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway

"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck

Novel Conversations | S:2 E:8
S2 Ep 8: A summary and explanation of John Steinbeck's 1937 story of depression-era hardship...
Listen to "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck

"The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:7
S2 Ep 7: A summary and explanation of Edith Wharton's 1905 commentary on a corrupt, upper class society...
Listen to "The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton

"Darkness at Noon" by Arthur Koestler

Novel Conversations | S:2 E:6
S2 Ep6: A summary and explanation of Arthur Koestler's 1940 political thriller about the consequences of communism...
Listen to "Darkness at Noon" by Arthur Koestler

"White Fang" by Jack London

Novel Conversations | S:2 E:5
S2 Ep5: A summary and explanation of Jack London's 1906 American classic exploring nature and instinct...
Listen to "White Fang" by Jack London

"Elmer Gantry" by Sinclair Lewis

Novel Conversations | S:2 E:4
S2 Ep4: A summary and explanation of Sinclair Lewis' 1927 satire about religion in America...
Listen to "Elmer Gantry" by Sinclair Lewis

"A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Novel Conversations | S:2 E:3
S2 Ep3: A summary and explanation of John Kennedy Toole's 1980 comedy about family, education, and justice...
Listen to "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

"A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway

Novel Conversations | S:2 E:2
S2 Ep2: A summary and exploration of Ernest Hemingway's classic war novel about World War I and romance...
Listen to "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Novel Conversations | S:2 E:1
S2 Ep1: A summary and exploration of Jane Austen's 1813 classic novel about pursuing love in Victorian England...
Listen to "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

"How Green Was My Valley" by Richard Llewellyn

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:10
S1 Ep10: A summary and exploration of Richard Llewellen's novel about love, loss and family...
Listen to "How Green Was My Valley" by Richard Llewellyn

"Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:9
S1 Ep 9: A summary and exploration of Jane Austen's novel highlighting the sense and sensibility of two sisters' romances...
Listen to "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen

"Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:8
S1 Ep8: A summary and exploration of John Steinbeck's novel that captures the spirit of people during the Great Depression in Monterey, CA...
Listen to "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck

"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:7
S1 Ep7: A summary and exploration of Aldous Huxley's 1932 dystopian novel about the relationship between human nature and technology...
Listen to "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

"Anthem" by Ayn Rand

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:6
S1 Ep6: A summary and exploration of Ayn Rand's philosophic novella about society and the individual...
Listen to "Anthem" by Ayn Rand

"Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:5
S1 Ep5: A summary and exploration of Louisa May Alcott's 1868 classic novel about friendship, family and romance...
Listen to "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

"The Pearl" by John Steinbeck

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:4
S1 Ep4: A summary and exploration of John Steinbeck's 1947 classic novella about man's nature and greed...
Listen to "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:3
S1 Ep3: A summary and exploration of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 classic novel about lost love and the American Dream...
Listen to "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

"The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:2
S1 Ep2: A summary and exploration of Ernest Hemingway's classic novella about honor, victory and defeat...
Listen to "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway

"The Giver" by Lois Lowry

Novel Conversations | S:1 E:1
S1 Ep1: A summary and exploration of Lois Lowry's young adult dystopian novel about truth, suffering and free will...
Listen to "The Giver" by Lois Lowry

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