Novel Conversations

Slaughterhouse-Five follows the life and experiences of Billy Pilgrim as he finds himself “unstuck in time”. The book is centered around his time as an American soldier during World War II, his capture by the German Army, and his survival of the Allied firebombing of Dresden as a prisoner-of-war - an experience which Vonnegut himself lived through as an American serviceman. Vonnegut offers a multi-dimensional view of fantasy and rock-hard reality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The story of Huck Finn is about a fun-loving risk-taker youth and his adventures on the Mississippi River with a runaway slave named Jim. A blossoming friendship ensues on their freedom seeking voyage and beyond. Huckleberry Finn is most commonly viewed as a satire of racism, religion, morality, and social attitudes of the time, making it Twain’s most notable work and one of the great American novels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This classic tale is about a youthful trickster, Tom Sawyer and his adventures in the antebellum south. From treasure hunting and playing pirates to church pranks and schoolhouse crushes, Tom Sawyer’s childish antics make him Twain’s standout character. Although his mischief starts out as mere entertainment, it soon turns into danger as he and his band of friends, witness a murder.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy this “irrevocably” humorous compilation of outtakes featuring amusing mistakes and mishaps from Host, Frank Lavallo and Readers: Elizabeth Flood, Phil Setnik, Peter Toomey, & Katie Smith, which occurred during the making of Season 5 of the Novel Conversations Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This early 19th century novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a hideous creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Unbeknownst to the obsessed scientist, the creature is intelligent and longs for a mate. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This old-fashioned, sweet novella is about Helen, a governess turned adventurer, who hops on a traveling book-selling wagon as a way to escape the monotony of farm-life. Her brother, Andrew, unexpectedly becomes a celebrity author and leaves Helen chained to chores… until Roger Mifflin shows up with Parnasuss on Wheels and offers her a thrilling life on the road selling books and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twain's last completed novel, published when he was 61 years old, recounts the life of Joan of Arc through a fictional character (invented by Mark Twain) - The Sieur Louis de Conte. Joan of Arc, at the age of seventeen, fights for French independence from the English in the 15th century under Charles VII. Louis accompanies Joan as her secretary through the battles and witnesses her trial and execution at the hands of the English. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plot: This adventure story details White Fang's journey to domestication in Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush. The young pup, who is part wolf and part dog, struggles to survive after he is separated from his mother. White Fang eventually finds his life in the hands of a young gold hunter, Weedon Scott, who purchases the pup and attempts to tame him. After a long, patient effort, Scott succeeds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plot: Main Street relates to the life and struggles of Carol Milford Kennicott in the provincial town of Gopher Prairie, Minnesota, as she comes into conflict with the small-town mentality of its residents. She moves to the town with dreams of transforming it into a sort of modern utopia. But there's just one problem... everyone else in Gopher Prairie likes the ugly old town just the way it is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plot: Candide, a simple man, is thrust into a world of chaos as he experiences the horrors of war, poverty, the maliciousness of man, and the hypocrisy of the church. His tutor, Doctor Pangloss, attempts to teach him philosophical optimism, that “... All is for the best.” Candide begins to doubt the veracity of Pangloss' theories and soon finds the best of both worlds.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plot: In nineteenth-century France, the daughter of a country squire Emma, marries a dull country doctor, Charles Bovary. To escape boredom, she throws herself into love affairs and runs up ruinous debts. As she finds some excitement attending balls, operas, and socializing with the upper echelons of French society, Madame Bovary - as expected - finds she cannot escape the doldrums of a passionless marriage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plot: A poor boy named Tom Canty and the Prince of Wales exchange identities, and the events that follow, force the pair to experience each other's lives. Mistaken for a beggar, Edward must struggle to survive on the streets. Meanwhile, Tom, who has no knowledge of how to be a Prince fears being mistaken for an imposter. The two boys learn a great deal of insight from living in each other's shoes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"East of Eden" tells the tale of the Trask and Hamilton families, who live in the scenic Salinas Valley at the end of World War I. Scott and Ildi Rich, join host, Frank Lavallo, to discuss the riveting juxtaposition of the poor immigrants and wealthy land owners of Steinbeck's masterpiece. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"To Have and Have Not" tells the tale of the Depression-era Florida Keys. Featuring Harry Morgan, a "Have Not," who charters his boat to the wealthy "Haves" of the world, this story shows what happens when hard times pressure a man into a life of crime. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott & Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “To Have and Have Not.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Moon is Down" tells the tale of port town that exports coal until it is overrun by an invading army. The mayor of the town struggles to keep control as the occupiers force him to serve as their puppet. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott & Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “The Moon is Down.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Northanger Abbey" tells the story of Catherine Morland, a young girl whose imagination is fueled by her love of gothic novels. As Catherine travels to old home with friends, she struggles to discern reality in the midst of her Romantic fancies. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht & Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Northanger Abbey.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In "Atlas Shrugged," business owners begin mysteriously disappearing after the government places too many extreme restrictions. Ayn Rand uses this political dystopian novel to explore the relationship between capitalism and government. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Atlas Shrugged." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Rand and the inspiration for her writings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through "Tortilla Flat," Steinbeck portrays a small band of vagabond friends enjoying life and wine in the days after the end of World War I. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott & Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Tortilla Flat.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through "Arrowsmith," Lewis tells the story of a bright and scientifically minded, Martin Arrowsmith, as he makes his way from a small town in the Midwest to the upper echelons of the scientific community. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick & Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Arrowsmith.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through "Persuasion," Austen explores the plight of impoverished gentility in Regency England, creating a relatable story about rekindling lost romance. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht & Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Persuasion.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices