Thoroughly enjoy his narrative and perspective. Really love his show and appreciate for what he does.

Jacke Wilson is giving us all a valuable service, for free. He helps us feel like we aren’t alone. There are others who share our love of literature. Jacke is our Virgil, guiding us through the modern world, helping us to understand, to be seen, to enrich our lives. Thank you Mr Wilson and of course Mr Palindrome, not to mention the many guests who all strive to make this world a more beautiful place

Jacke is impressively prolific in his output and when he’s in his stride the level of quality is high. I love the structured yet conversational style, and his obvious passion for and insight into the books and writers he discusses. The high number of ads and the rambling intros have always been a bit tedious (I sometimes have to skip ahead 20 minutes just to get to the actual meat of the episode), but I don’t mind dealing with them if the core of the show is good. Sadly Jacke has been hinting for awhile that he’s losing enthusiasm for the project and, reasonably enough, feeling the burnout of such an intense podcasting schedule. The last year (2023) in particular saw a shift to an almost entirely guest-based format, which is understandable from a production standpoint but unfortunate from a listener one. Jacke’s solo shows have always been the heart of HOL for me, while his interview episodes are much more hit or miss, and in my opinion poorly vetted for quality and interest. Too many academics pushing recondite (and occasionally quite fringe) theories make the show feel less like a chat with a well-read friend and more like a campus lecture series. I used to enjoy when he would get fiction writers on to discuss their favorite books, but even that hasn’t been a regular feature for quite some time. The highs are still high enough to keep me subscribed, but I’d personally prefer a reduced release schedule with a higher standard of quality to the current model of constant but rather skippable output.

I was excited to find this podcast, but couldn't even make it through one episode (The Night Before Christmas episode). First problem was the plethora of loud, disruptive ads. Second, the host is incredibly monotone and repetitive, and frequently strayed off topic. Third, it turns out that the host's entire subject matter for this episode was one book that he read disputing the authorship of this poem; in that case, it would have been far more enjoyable to have that author on as a guest and let him tell his own story! Perhaps other episodes are better, but this one was such a turn-off that I have no interest in sampling any others.

Thank you, again, Jacke. This podcast is a joy to listen to. Another masterful interview with Robin Lane Fox. I'm still trying to understand what or who Gar is.

Your guest did not know that Paris was the fashion capital since the 17th century. Strange. Otherwise lovely episode.

First time I came across this podcast, purely by chance. This podcast was great. Need to give a second listen. Any chance of doing Seneca’s “ On Anger”?

the podcast was a great idea, and i really wanted to hear kurt vonnegut’s speech in an episode i happened upon in one of my searches. the content seems awesome, but the grating, nasal tone of the host is insurmountable. i don’t understand why he went into radio when he has a voice for silent films. yikes. i couldn’t make it through one episode

So much talking about anything but the poem.

Catching interesting titles and a mass of talk about himself.

Jacke is a born teacher. At the start of the podcast, you might ask yourself “why does this author matter?” Jacke then takes you on a ramble that will inspire you to read or reread important works. I feel as if I’m back at liberal arts college and my professor has given the floor to the smartest and oldest student; the one who took a few gap years, worked at eclectic jobs and experienced a bit more of life than the rest of us. Thanks, Jacke.

I was introduced to this podcast as an English Literature and Writing major interested in lecture style teachings on the subjects I was already studying for school. Wilson’s podcast offers insightful supplementary knowledge, but is far from comprehensive, considering the first 25 to 30 minutes of his show are spent rambling. There are too many unrelated personal anecdotes, digressions, and political asides for my liking. Wilson is your typical pseudo-intellectualist/literary radical who thinks he’s endlessly clever, inserting political bias into great written works that need no further embellishment. I’ll continue listening to the podcast as it is interesting (once you get past the interminable “intro”), but prefer less ostentatious productions like Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast (highly, highly recommend, it’s wonderful)!

Well not really of course. But I fear to think what would happen if this podcast series ever ends. I would miss the History of Literature more than I can possibly express.

I can’t stop listening

A delight all around!

The benchmark for what a podcast should be. Incredibly enlightening and relaxing.

Listen. I love literature. And there’s a lot of podcasts out there. This one is, by far, the most polished, professional, and interesting. You can tell Jacke is an academic with an amateur’s soul. If you love literature and want to hear fascinating conversations about philosophy and history, this is the podcast for you. Thanks, Jacke, for being the best!

Love this show!

A beautiful, entertaining, and insightful reminder of why we tell stories, why we talk about them, and, yes, why we read them.

Granted I only listened to one episode, which was supposed to be about Edward Gibbon. Unfortunately, while the kept teasing that the Gibbon might be talked about they failed to do so, instead constantly delving into the projects of the guest.

I love you, Jacke!

There are a lot of literature podcasts out there that can give you names and dates of an author’s life, and tell you where a work fits in the literary cannon. But only Jacke manages to blend those details with a true love of the work, getting emotional over a line and making his listeners feel the same. I love when he reads short stories, too. Jacke and friends have turned me into so many good authors, and helped me appreciate many others I would not have otherwise. I am curious about the “interns” though…

I’ve listened to the Jane Austen and Mary Shelley episodes. The host is delightfully funny and so informative. Look forward to listening to more.

As I retired libertarian, I look forward to every new episode. I'm with "my people" twice a week. Thank you Jacke. Janet

So many things to love about my favorite podcast: - Entertaining and informative host - Introductions to authors previously unknown - Inspires me to read unknown authors and authors I’ve been hesitant to try - Best theme song I’m smarter and better informed after I listen to Jacke!

Helping keep the literary tradition alive from many perspectives with the source being nothing but the love of reading.

Gets a little to flowery in the intros in annoyingly whimsical college freshmen way, but the discussions can be interesting. It’s a bit depressing literature podcasts are either made by nerds who took college to seriously or people that are nearly incomprehensible due to mental illness.

Jack’s voice is so pleasant and his whimsical sense of humor is delightful. These attributes however are just bonuses to his interesting, insightful commentary on books and authors. Recently he read aloud Poe’s “The Telltale Heart” in such a wonderful way, with great understanding of Poe’s language. This is a podcast well worth your time.

I know this podcast is designed to jump in anywhere, but I am so glad I listened to the trailer and the first episodes first - I am hooked and inspired! Jacke’s delivery is relatable and enjoyable. His commentary on Gilgamesh inspired a whole project I have embarked on to get more people reading and discussing it. I look forward to coming back to this podcast time and again!

I came to listen to an episode on Heart of Darkness to better understand it. This podcast is less “book summary” and more “this character is what I love about this book or let me spend 5 minutes dissecting this crucial sentence.” Little did I know how much I would love this style. The host’s chuckles, the 10-minute episode introductions, the personal asides—it’s all delightful. After that first episode, I promptly scrolled through the archives and downloaded 50 to watch. I listened to a half dozen and went scrolling back to download more. This podcast greatly enriches my appreciation for literature and makes me want to read more.

I’m not a big podcaster, but I wanted to learn more about Fernando Pessoa before I went to Portugal for the first time, and this one popped up. What an absolute dream of a podcast. I teach English, and this podcast marries whimsy and information so well that it is both helpful as prep and food for my soul. Brilliant.

absolutely charlatan-level stuff, discusses almost nothing about what’s in GR

The host is erudite without being pretentious. The range of topcs and writers is amazing and Jacke handles them all deftly. I discovered it very recently while searching for a podcast that discussed Thomas Pynchon. I'm looking forward to catching up on all the episodes.

I was initially very excited to find this podcast with the hope that it would provide new insights on classical works and authors. Unfortunately, the first episode I listened to began right off with a rant about a recent Supreme Court decision. If I wanted to listen to an opinionated political podcast, there are many out there to choose from. Too many. Perhaps they should consider changing the name and description of the podcast so listeners will know just what they are in for. As for me, I’ll be looking elsewhere for a podcast on great literature- one that doesn’t shove their political agenda at the listener.

Not me having to stop my car to dry my tears . Each episode is better than the last.

Lovely! You just never know what brilliant nugget Jacke will uncover in his next episode. And as it happens, I sent my second son off to college just three years ago. Jackie’s musings could have been my own. I understood the sentiments exactly. Love this podcast. I am not as consistent a reader as I would like to be, but listening keeps me eager to pick up my next piece of fiction and I’ve been introduced to amazing writers I would never have found on my own. Thank You!

Beautiful episode. You transported me to another world. Thank you!!

Update: the increase in ads has made this sweet show unlistenable. Approx 30 min per episode is the worst out there. It’s sad. Taking a literary show to the bowels of capitalism.

I began listening in 2020, enraptured by Jacke’s Midwestern introduction to Jean Toomer. There’s just too much goodness to describe in the episodes on Joyce, Thoreau, Kafka, Dickens, Rilke, Alice Munro… Just get cozy, pick a favorite author, and listen.

I can’t believe this exists or that there are people out there listening to it. It’s amazing and I don’t even like podcasts. I pay for it now even though I’m cheap and it’s free.

I learn so much and laugh and sometimes, I talk back at something you said! “Sorry Jacke, I don’t agree.” “Good question, Jacke! I never thought of that.” “Nice read of Stephen Crane’s ‘The Open Boat.’ Well done, Jacke!” Your interviews are thoughtful and engaging. I am still grappling with Humbert Humbert and the tragedy of Sylvia Plath. It motivated me to look up an interesting article on her daughter. What an incredible woman. My background is history, which means I tend to dive into what some call “boring” material. It’s true! I love it! All things ancient. But I also read fiction, usually science fiction and fantasy, but not always. “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr was brilliant. I have listened to “Lincoln in the Bardo” by George Saunders numerous times. I dabble in most genres. Listening to you makes me appreciate my high school English teachers who assigned so many classics. How many times have I wished I could tell them so? Ah well. I am in my “older adult” years and that was a long time ago. But thank god for their wisdom, and thank god I found your wonderful podcast. I listen to it when I do chores. Chores, aging word? I wrote a story about an elderly man I knew who used the term “gams.” Younger writers didn’t know what “gams” meant. The continuous transformation of language, no? It is a historical marker of sorts. I have been a listener for more than a year. Thanks again, Pat Tarragona, Spain

I love it

This is one of my favorite podcasts, but Mike Palindrome needed to be shoved into a locker in high school and no one has yet rectified the negligence of a past era

I consider myself and well-read person, but Jacke always gives me a new perspective on his subjects. He thinks he sounds like a squirrel, but I happen to like the sound of his voice. I’ve listened to at least a hundred episodes, and I plan to listen to them all.

Thanks, Jacke—love the podcast. Listen to it weekly. I love the insights and humor you bring to works of literature I love, as well as novels (and writers) I’ve yet to read.

If you listen to enough episodes you will be in love too. He is everything that is great and bad about humanity that makes us so human. He is everything a book should be. And if you like him you’ll like Mike even more who’s in a few episodes and is the best. (Mr. Wilson - if you’re reading this - less special guests who aren’t Mike and more Mike!)

I found out about this podcast while reading articles on lithub and encountering the recent John Milton episode. Fantastic stuff, and I’m not even a huge podcast person!

A gift to yourself - and to humanity

Hi, I was so excited to find your podcast. Then I became disappointed that there was so little of the fairytale and history in the podcast and so much of your meandering hyperbole.Also was disappointed that you didn’t look into the symbolic and mythological meanings behind the fairytales, as set forth in depth psychological scholarship. It would help you to get out of the purely literal viewpoint. I’ll keep listening for a while.

This cast is a lot of fun and very much worth your time. But there’s so much here ... it deeply cuts into my actual READING time! I’d resent that greatly were Mitch & Andy & Nikki not so surpassingly good! They’re SO good, in fact, I CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY to this cast, despite the fact that the nationwide radio news network that has employed me ... recently went out of business. But as Shakespeare or Jesus or Aristotle or one of those said, “Humankind does not live be bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouths of Miller and Mitchenson and Birch. Whichever holy man or sharp wag said it ... was exactly right. Evan Haning, DC region