In this episode, we’re talking about Japanese science fiction. The history of the genre. SF in Japan. Breakthrough feminist sci-fi writer Izumi Suzuki. Plus loads of SF stories, including Suzuki’s “Night Picnic”. CW: suicide Transcript, notes and sources at the podcast episode page. Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you ... Show More
Jun 25
Aum Anxiety in Japanese Fiction
In this episode, we examine the history of the Aum Affair and its lasting impact on Japanese fiction.We'll start out with the history of new religions in Japan, including Aum Shinrikyo. We'll take a look at Haruki Murakami's non-fiction book, Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and ... Show More
59m 51s
Feb 2026
Japanese Monster Stories on the Big Screen
In this episode, we look at the writers behind two of Japan's greatest movie monsters—Godzilla and Mothra.We'll start out by looking at Godzilla—its context, author, and story—before we turn to Mothra. We'll close with a reflection on why the stories behind the movies are importa ... Show More
1h 3m
Feb 2021
214-Japanese Folklore: Take Your Lumps
<p>Two short stories from Japan. On the first, an old man is in a tree surrounded by demons and faced with a desperate choice. On the second, a man has a pet that his wife is not thrilled about, so she makes that known. With scissors.</p>
<p>The creature is a sad cow! Or a vamp ... Show More
32m 58s
Mar 2022
262-Japanese Folklore: Fatal Attraction
Three stories from Japan about love gone wrong. On the first, the fairest youth in all the land is set to marry the daughter of a rich noble. The problem? His father kind of oversold his looks... On the second, we'll see why moths and other nighttime bugs go toward the light, and ... Show More
41m 9s
Jul 2016
Ep. 4 | Motherhood, Mythology, and Marjane
This week, the Reading discuss Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward and Persepolis by Majane Satrapi.
Books Mentioned in this Podcast
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn WardPersepolis by Marjane SatropiSex Object by Jessica ValentiSex and Girls by Peggy OrgensteinAll the Single Ladies by ... Show More
39m 14s
<p>Elizabeth recaps the ending of our last Japanese Fairy Tale, "Momotaro, or the Story of the Son of a Peach" by Yei Theodora Ozaki.</p>
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<p>Try The Sleepy Bookshelf Premium free for 7 days: <a href="https://sleepybookshelf.supercast.com/" target="_blank">https://sl ... Show More
<p>Tonight, Elizabeth reads "Momotaro, or the Story of the Son of a Peach" by Yei Theodora Ozaki.</p>
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<p>Try The Sleepy Bookshelf Premium free for 7 days: <a href="https://sleepybookshelf.supercast.com/" target="_blank">https://sleepybookshelf.supercast.com/</a>.</p ... Show More
<p>Thornton discusses the essay "On Science Fiction" to learn what Lewis had to say about the popular genre and how critics should deal with it.</p>
<p>Connect with him on Instagram @merecslewis, 'X' aka Twitter at @MereCSLewis or email at merecs ... Show More
