Closely Reading
Closely Reading
Talking chapters 22-28
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Talking chapters 22-28

A plot talkthrough of some quite meandering chapters

I was not able to get an audio guide out last week, thanks to some hectic travel and summertime activities — and so this week, I’m here with a jam-packed audio guide that walks through chapters 22 to 28!

Whew!

It’s two weeks’ worth of reading in just 48 minutes and it’ll get you all caught up with where we’re at in Newland’s story. (And Beaufort’s story. And Ellen’s story. And May’s story. Whose story is this, anyway?)

This week, I summarize the chapters and dive into:

  • The de-centering energy of the narrator

  • May Welland’s fangs coming out (remind me not to mess with May — ouch!)

  • The great question of what Newland really desires

Give it a listen — and, on Wednesday, the full written guide comes out.

Oh, and while you’re at it, watch this absolutely devastating rendering of Newland and Ellen’s lunch in Boston in the Scorsese adaptation:

How Michelle Pfieffer has never won an Oscar, I’ll never understand.

‘Til next time, happy reading! 📚

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Closely Reading
Closely Reading
essays & musings about literature, film, and art from a literature phd, plus a new book club for close readers to read forgotten classics together