The Death of Dr. Island - Gene Wolfe Commemorative Special

In honor of the Death of the Author, Michael & Ethan thought it fitting to read one of the great stories by the man himself, and to talk about it. Come along on this journey of great appreciation for a writer who will prove to be a foundation for a generation to come. Let’s discuss “The Death of Dr. Island,” by Gene Wolfe.

In this episode:

  • Michael closes a curtain and gets the lighting right for the podcast episode.

  • Ethan masks the sadness by humor.

  • Michael makes Ethan mad.

  • This is not the “Duck-Duck-Grey-Duck/Goose” Podcast.

  • How can a third-person narrator be unreliable?

  • They talk about women.

  • Ethan almost takes over the entire podcast to talk about alchemy.

  • Birds and eggs: connected. Whooda thunk?

  • They end with the beginning.

  • Ethan uses his grumpy old dumb professor voice.

  • Michael gets onto words.

  • Gene Wolfe is to be reread, and reread, and reread.

Their next book will be Jacques the Fatalist, by Denis Diderot.  Join the discussion!  Go to the Contact page and put "Scotch Talk" in the Subject line.  We'd love to hear from you!  And submit your homework at the Michael & Ethan in a Room with Scotch page.

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Your Hosts: Michael G. Lilienthal (@mglilienthal) and

Ethan Bartlett (@bjartlett)

And Special Guest: Nicholas Lilienthal (@PokeRollNick)

MUSIC & SFX:

"Kessy Swings Endless - (ID 349)" by Lobo Loco.  Used by permission.

"The Grim Reaper - II Presto" by Aitua.  Used under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License.

"Thinking It Over" by Lee Rosevere.  Used under an Attribution License.

Intermission” by Unthunk. Used under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.