"The Long and Short" is a literary criticism podcast from the London Review of Books' Close Readings series, hosted by two eminent academics: Mark Ford (UCL) and Seamus Perry (Oxford). Each episode offers an in-depth, erudite exploration of long poems and short stories from 19th- and 20th-century literature, pairing works by writers such as Elizabeth Bowen, Alice Oswald, Nella Larsen, and Langston Hughes. The hosts blend close textual analysis with historical and biographical context, discussing themes like modernism, the Harlem Renaissance, social commentary, and formal innovation in poetry and prose. Conversational yet intellectually rigorous, the show appeals to literature students, academics, and passionate readers who enjoy deep dives into canonical and lesser-known texts. Episodes are structured around specific works, with accompanying reading lists from the LRB archive, making it ideal for listeners seeking scholarly yet accessible literary discussion. As part of a broader franchise following "Modern-ish Poets," it continues the LRB's tradition of thoughtful, discussion-driven literary criticism for a discerning, education-minded audience.
"The Long and Short" is a literary criticism podcast from the London Review of Books' Close Readings series, hosted by two eminent academics: Mark Ford (UCL) and Seamus Perry (Oxford). Each episode offers an in-depth, erudite exploration of long poems and short stories from 19th- and 20th-century literature, pairing works by writers such as Elizabeth Bowen, Alice Oswald, Nella Larsen, and Langston Hughes. The hosts blend close textual analysis with historical and biographical context, discussing themes like modernism, the Harlem Renaissance, social commentary, and formal innovation in poetry and prose. Conversational yet intellectually rigorous, the show appeals to literature students, academics, and passionate readers who enjoy deep dives into canonical and lesser-known texts. Episodes are structured around specific works, with accompanying reading lists from the LRB archive, making it ideal for listeners seeking scholarly yet accessible literary discussion. As part of a broader franchise following "Modern-ish Poets," it continues the LRB's tradition of thoughtful, discussion-driven literary criticism for a discerning, education-minded audience.
