Welcome to this final episode of Deacon King Kong. In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss all the story’s thread and how they all end up “in God’s hands.” They talk about salvation stories, good and evil, who the true antagonist of the story is, and the beautiful community of Christ. Oh, and they argue about where the climax of the story is.R&W’s next deep read is The Feast, by Margaret Kennedy. They will take four weeks to read this book. Reading segments are as follows:* Part 1: Prologue - Sunday* Part 2: Monday - Tuesday* Part 3: Wednesday - Thursday* Part 4: Friday Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you like this post, ❤️ it and share it.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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Deacon King Kong | Part 3
Welcome back to our close read of Deacon King Kong. In in this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss the women at the center of this story and how they are the “still point” for each of their respective communities. They discuss motifs they see taking a center stage in this section: the water, Statue of Liberty, the “shining” harbor in the afternoon sun; and how these images continue to pop up and provide a strong juxtaposition to all that is not “normal” about The Cause, as Sister Gee laments to Potts. They discuss several important conversations that happened: Sister Gee and Potts, Elefante and Sportcoat, Sportcoat and young (dead) Hettie, and others. Oh, and they talk about the weeds.Next week they will discuss the final chapters of the story: Chapters 21-26.Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, show it some ❤️ and share it with someone.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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1:04:49
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War & Peace | July-August
Welcome back to R&W’s 2025 year-long read, War and Peace.We know, it’s been a minute. After two months, Rhea and Shari were so glad to get back to this story. They focused their discussion on the “movements” of characters and events, and on “form v. substance.” They spend considerable time talking about Natasha’s movement from guilt to new freedom, Pierre’s movement toward war, Old Bolkonsky movement from life to death, and his son’s movement toward eminent death as well. They discuss the “form” of war—that of a chess game—versus the “substance” of war, something more terrible and chaotic; and the form of Hélène v. the substance of Marya…. and much, much more. Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode ❤️ it and share it.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our literary work, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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1:21:17
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1:21:17
Deacon King Kong | Part 2
Welcome back to R&W’s deep read of Deacon King Kong by James McBride. In this episode, Rhea and Shari discuss all the ways the threads of the story are beginning to slowly weave together. They talk about McBride’s humor, his brilliance in bringing us into this community of The Cause House with kind hospitality, and allowing us to deal with hard realities through this hospitable way. They discuss Shari’s three-way Venn Diagram on the story’s territories from the first episode, expanding on the ideas laid out last week, and what may lie at the center of the three. Rhea notices the way “the Truth” has been popping up a lot in this section, as well as all the commonality between characters and 20 years. They spend a long time on Elefante and the Venus of Willendorf. They wonder where the story is going to go next.Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode hit the ❤️ button and share it!The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our literary work, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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59:46
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59:46
Deacon King Kong | Part 1
Welcome to an R&W new read! This week Rhea and Shari begin a four part discussion on Deacon King Kong by James McBride. In this episode, they introduce the wide and colorful cast of characters: Sportcoat, Hot Sausage, Deems, Jet, Bunch, Earl, and more. They wonder why some non-characters: like the community itself, the cheese, and the ants feel more like characters and less like places or things. They talk for some time about the “voicey-ness” of the story, particularly with regards to the narrator. They also talk about how the story is being told almost like an old-fashioned “yarn.” If you haven’t yet, check out Rhea’s Reading Guide for Deacon King Kong:Reading Schedule (Note date Change for Episode 2)Below is the Reading Schedule for Deacon King Kong, with the exception of Episode 2: PLEASE NOTE: Due to the upcoming Labor Day holiday and family/work obligations, Episode 2 will air Wednesday, September 3rd, rather than the 2nd.Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you like this post, ❤️ it and share it!The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe
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New Zealand