Curious Readers

Ep 31: The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine (Deep Dive) & the Carol Shields Prize Longlist

March 27, 2026·55 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Join Amanda and Joseph for their next deep dive into Wendy Erskine’s debut novel, The Benefactors, a polyphonic story about a sexual assault and the lengths that three mothers will go to to keep their sons from being held accountable. Along the way, they discuss the latest prize news, with the Carol Shields Prize longlist topping the episode.Bookish NewsCarol Shields Prize for Fiction longlistRecent ReadsThe Brittle Age by Donatella Di PietrantonioThe books of Elena FerranteThe Only Story by Julian BarnesDeep DiveThe Benefactors by Wendy ErskineSweet Home by Wendy ErskineDance Move by Wendy ErskineClose to Home by Michael MageeMagnolia, written and directed by Paul Thomas AndersonThe Bee Sting by Paul Murray What We’re Reading NextWaiting For The Fear by Oguz AtayThe Door by Magda SzaboIndignity by Lea Ypi Also mentionedCurious Readers is mixed by the incredibly talented James Whiting @fishislandstudioFollow us on Instagram @curiousreaderspodcast and Bluesky @curiousreaderspod.bsky.social for more recommendations in between episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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