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- 3 weeks ago1h 6m
TMR 30.8: "The Fatherland or Death!" [I the Supreme]
On the final episode of this season of the Two Month Review, librarian, book reviewer, passionate reader, and Open Letter intern, Joseph Alcala joins Chad, Brian, and Kaija to talk about the last chunk of Augusto Roa Bastos’s I the Supreme. They discuss what did and didn’t keep them interested in the book, how it compares to other dictator novels, who the audience for this book might be, and just how fire the ending is. This week’s music is “A House on Fire” by TRAAMS.Next season’s title is The Life and Adventures of Trobadora Beatrice as Chronicled by Her Minstrel Laura: A Novel in Thirteen Books and Seven Intermezzos by Irmtraud Morgner, translated from the German by Jeanette Clausen, and the reading schedule will be available next week.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large.Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com
- Apr 17, 202650 min
TMR 30.7: "I Should Like to See You Do What I Do!" [I the Supreme]
Chad is still battling post-COVID brain fog, but he and Kaija make a solid go of it, talking about the brilliance of Roa Bastos’s voice, and reflecting on just how flimsy the monument of words and justifications he’s building really is. Then Kaija brings up this week’s primary topic: How to contribute to a group read when you’re just not feeling the book.This week’s music is “Seven” by Holy Fuck.Next week’s episode will cover the last section of the book, pages 382-435. The reading schedule for next season’s title—The Life and Adventures of Trobadora Beatrice as Chronicled by Her Minstrel Laura: A Novel in Thirteen Books and Seven Intermezzos by Irmtraud Morgner, translated from the German by Jeanette Clausen—will be available next week.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large.Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com
- Apr 9, 202642 min
TMR 30.6: "Second-Rate Attilas of the Disunited Provinces" [I the Supreme]
Chad has Covid, giving this episode a feverish quality—and making it even more entertaining than usual? Regardless, he’s joined by Kaija and Brian and they talk about their struggles with the book, what’s pulling them through (or not), the philosophies and big ideas of it all, and failure. This week’s music is “Mata Zyklek” by Angine de Poitrine. Next week’s episode will cover through page 381. If you want to follow along, the complete schedule can be found here.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large.Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com
- Apr 3, 20261h 9m
TMR 30.5: "I Am Highly Optimistic But Not Amnesiac" [I the Supreme]
Carlos Labbé (Navidad & Matanza, The Murmuration) joins Chad and Kaija to talk about his experience reading Yo el Supremo in college, influences on this period of “el Boom,” Latin American history, and much more. They also discuss the plot, as it relates to Paraguay’s independence and the instillation of Francia as Supreme Dictator, and make predictions on what’s to come. Also: More skulls!!This week’s music is “Northern Wind Brings Redemption” by Saagara.Next week’s episode will cover through page 326. If you want to follow along, the complete schedule can be found here.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large.Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com
- Mar 27, 202655 min
TMR 30.4: "Construction of the Super-Race by Means of Nutrition" [I the Supreme]
Sometimes a pen is just a pen, and sometimes it’s a magical object that might contain all of Dr. Francia’s madness. Although this week’s episode covers pages 166–216, most of the time is spent on the Compiler’s note starting on page 197, in which “the Compiler” finally becomes a fully-fledged character—one who is in possession of the Supreme Dictator’s pen. Kaija, Brian, and Chad talk about how this adds a new dimension to the novel and helps to frame the various threads we’re following (Francia’s dying days, the history of Paraguay gaining independence, the occult, Francia’s reign of terror, etc.). They also discuss Latin American and French influences in the writing, isolationism and nationalism, and much more! This week’s music is a song about dictators called “L.O.S.E.R.”Next week’s episode will cover through page 269. If you want to follow along, the complete schedule can be found here.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large.Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com
- Mar 20, 202658 min
TMR 30.3: "Man Is an Idiot" [I the Supreme]
Speculation about the Supreme Dictator and his pet skull dominates this episode of the Two Month Review, although it also includes a comparison between Francia and Alex Jones, an assessment of Francia’s argument as to why he should lead the independence movement, stray thoughts about the Compiler, and a bit about the interplay between the Supreme Dictator’s representation of himself and his reign, and the historical documents that exist. This week’s music is “Skulls” by The Lemonheads.Next week’s episode will cover through page 216. If you want to follow along, the complete schedule can be found here.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large.Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com
- Mar 13, 20261h 2m
TMR 30.2: "Representation of Writing As Representation" [I the Supreme]
If you’re reading this book and feel lost—you’re not alone! Chad spends most of this podcast talking over everyone and sharing his research about the history of Paraguay circa 1810, which is when a good chunk of this week’s section of the book (pages 56-110) takes place. After somewhat getting their bearings (this is a difficult book!), the crew talk about circles, meteors/aeroliths, writing and power, the occult, predictions for the rest of the novel, and much more. If you’re struggling with this novel, this episode should provide a few toeholds to understanding Roa Bastos’s—and Dr. Francia’s—world. This week’s music is “I Won’t Let You Down” by Barry Can’t Swim.Next week’s episode will cover through page 165. If you want to follow along, the complete schedule can be found here.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large.Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) for all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com
- Mar 6, 20261h 16m
TMR 30.1: "They're Daring to Parody My Supreme Decrees Now" [I the Supreme]
The new season kicks off with an overview of Augusto Roa Bastos's life, some background on this season's dictator, Dr. Francia of Paraguay, and a bit of table setting as to how this book came to be. Then, Chad, Brian, and Kaija dive into the book’s chaotic humor and presentation, the presence of the occult in the first chapter of the book, and what makes this novel challenging to read.This episode’s music is “Cult of Personality” by Living Color.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Follow Open Letter, Two Month Review, Chad W. Post, Kaija Straumanis, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests. And subscribe to the Three Percent substack for information about Open Letter Books and literature in translation writ large.Also consider subscribing to the Mining the Dalkey Archive substack and its respective podcast (Apple, Spotify) about all things Dalkey Archive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threepercentproblem.substack.com
About Two Month Review
Each “season” of Two Month Review highlights a different new and amazing work of world literature, reading it slowly over the course of eight to nine episodes. Featuring a rotating set of literary guests—from authors to booksellers, critics, and translators—the individual episodes recap a short section of the book and use that as a springboard for a fun (and often irreverent) discussion about literature in a general sense, pop culture, reading approaches, and much more. Talking about great books doesn't need to be deadly serious, and the levity of 2MR makes it accessible to everyone (even if you’re not reading along). threepercentproblem.substack.com
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