My ninety-one year old mother lives about six hours away. Given her disabilities (she’s nearly blind and doesn’t hear well), she no longer drives – which means in order to spend time with her, I must first travel to her home. On those occasions when my Beloved makes the journey with me, the distance is the same but traveling together makes the trip both sweeter and (seemingly) shorter. Time alone on the road is generally more tedious.
During my last couple trips though, I’ve been accompanied by three young fellows (unbeknownst to my Beloved). These guys couldn’t be more chatty and when we travel together, I’m certain to be entertained as well as challenged to consider the world from a different point of view.
The common thread that draws us together is a shared love of literature. They converse, I listen … and occasionally I utter my agreement or vehement dissent … but I’m driving and I need to keep my eyes and attention mostly on the road.
But talk about the perfect travel companions! Nathan, Brandon and Jake refrain from back-seat demands such as “Are we almost there?” If ever they’re hungry, I’m unaware. Another plus, our travels together can be long or short but these guys travel well sans potty breaks.
My companions, as you might have guessed, are virtual. Thanks to the wonder of podcasts, The Bookening delivers thoughtful discussions about books and an occasional movie. Launched in March of 2016, their initial discussions (a three-part series) centered around Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Three guys discussing Pride and Prejudice? Yes, that surprised me … pleasantly. In fact, after listening to the series, I was inspired by their analysis to reread Austen’s novel. Because I’ve always viewed the book from my perspective (female), I discovered The Bookening’s point of view (male) amplified my overall appreciation for how truly exceptional this volume is.
I arrived late to The Bookening podcasts, and I’m still playing catch-up. The guys followed Austen with a series on John Steinbeck’s East of Eden. (I’m not a Steinbeck fan.) I was especially interested in their two-part discussion (Episodes 22 and 23) of Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead. I wondered if they’d lavish praise (as so many others have) on this Pulitzer Prize winning book. Thankfully, they didn’t.
Certain episodes piqued my curiosity, so I skipped ahead. Episode 42 addressed Newbery Award winners and kids’ books. These fellows aren’t shy about sharing their opinions: “One thing is for sure. Everyone hates Johnny Tremain.” (Everyone?! Kirkus Review declares the book “delightful reading.”)
Episode 51 diverted from specific book titles and authors to answer the oft-debated question Should Christians Read Fiction? These self-described heroes did a commendable job making their case … but I won’t divulge any spoilers. Listen to the podcast if you want their take.
What is it about this particular podcast that sets it apart from hundreds (thousands?) of other podcasts? Why do I enjoy this one? When I tune into an episode of The Bookening, I hear their now-familiar voices – sometimes serious, but often laughing and cutting up – and there’s no doubt they love each other, they love the Lord Jesus, and they’re passionate about many things, one of which is literature.
There’s another reason as well. Their jokes and laughter, the tongue-in-cheek audio devices (Baggage Check, a mysterious phantom etc.) they employ, their willingness to take creative risks … who approaches literature in this refreshingly unique manner?!
I have three brothers and when I’m driving down the road listening to these guys, I confess I’m happily drawn back in memory to family road trips, my entire family jammed into a 1959 blue/white Ford station wagon. We were blessed with close camaraderie and love in abundance, joy in each journey.
On my Road to Ruthe’s, three strangers who host a podcast called The Bookening have become my treasured friends. Thanks, guys, for being fellow-travelers with me.
Just delightful! Thanks for writing this! You have a gift for evoking sweet nostalgia.
Best,
— x
Thanks so much for your comment!
I had to re-read your post and gained additional appreciation for it, and for your state of mind in “penning” it.
You wrote:
“Three guys discussing Pride and Prejudice? Yes, that surprised me … pleasantly. In fact, after listening to the series, I was inspired by their analysis to reread Austen’s novel. Because I’ve always viewed the book from my perspective (female), I discovered The Bookening’s point of view (male) amplified my overall appreciation for how truly exceptional this volume is.”
And, thank you for writing it! So often we approach a book — like Pride and Prejudice from a binary perspective (to use contemporary jargon) in which we learn, incorrectly, that there are only two possible perspectives: (1) the “female” one, as you call it, and (2) the wrong one.
There is another choice. And another, and another, and another. And they’re all nothing more nor less than (possibly) new angles on the most important perspective: Austen’s perspective.
The reason for the parenthetical “possibly” is that there can be wrong perspectives, and at best they’re negatively illuminating, at worst worthless. With all these potentially enlightening perspectives flying around, of course the human is tempted to simplify as much as possible and reduce the valid ones down to as few as possible.
However, your willingness to explore the possibility of a “male” perspective brings me back to the days of my youth where we had not implemented the sexual apartheid that is so prevalent nowadays, and that simply sought other perspectives from other people… because they were people.
A wonderful section of a wonderful post!
Best,
— x
So many excellent observations! Thanks for re-reading!
My perspective betrays my era, I’m sure, but I grew up in a day when girls read from a particular shelf of books (Austen’s oeuvre, etc.) and boys chose from another shelf. Some librarians probably sorted books according to an arbitrary system: Treasure Island for boys, Little Women for girls.
I suppose I’d brought (unawares) the librarian perspective with me into adulthood, and that’s likely why I found it utterly refreshing to hear three adult
males
discussing Austen … which they’ve continued to do in subsequent podcasts.
Yes, I’m reminded often how today’s sexual apartheid undermines our appreciation of people and perspectives. You challenge me to question where else the monster has crept in.
–x, I’m so grateful for your insightful comments!