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Arts
Fiction
Philip Armstrong and Andrew Metzroth
Alzabo Soup is a literary analysis podcast where we literally become our favorite authors by devouring portions of their brains. We do chapter-by-chapter analysis of our favorite speculative fiction, researching the details and discussing the implications.
Total 431 episodes
12
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7
8
9
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Chapters 3 and 4 - Gene Wolfe's The Claw of the Conciliator

Chapters 3 and 4 - Gene Wolfe's The Claw of the Conciliator

Intro - Phil talks about his recent move and the wonders of Ikea. Content - Discussion of chapters 3 and 4 of The Claw of the Conciliator by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:29:5316/03/2018
Chapters 1 and 2 - Gene Wolfe's The Claw of the Conciliator

Chapters 1 and 2 - Gene Wolfe's The Claw of the Conciliator

Intro - Metz and Phil will be at this year's MileHiCon in Denver! Content - Discussion of Chapters 1 and 2 of The Claw of the Conciliator, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:20:5909/03/2018
Caryl Churchill's A Number

Caryl Churchill's A Number

Into - Phil asks Metz to react to his favorite version of Peter Pan. Content - Discussion of A Number, by Caryl Churchill Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:24:1302/03/2018
Kelly Link's "The Faery Handbag" and "Magic for Beginners"

Kelly Link's "The Faery Handbag" and "Magic for Beginners"

Intro - Metz makes Phil defend one of his tweets about a property recently acquired by Disney Content - Discussion of "The Faery Handbag" and "Magic for Beginners" by Kelly Link. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:31:0223/02/2018
General Discussion - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

General Discussion - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Phil asks Metz about his favorite Christmas movie, but as usual Metz can't stop talking about theatre instead. Content - General discussion of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:08:2516/02/2018
Chapters 34 and 35 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 34 and 35 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Phil asks Metz about the unique nature of Star Wars fandom. Content - Discussion of Chapters 34 and 35 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:11:0709/02/2018
Chapters 32 and 33- Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 32 and 33- Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - We announce the topics of our interim episodes between Shadow of the Torturer and Claw of the Conciliator. Content - Discussion of Chapters 32 and 33 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:02:1102/02/2018
Chapters 30 and 31 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 30 and 31 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Phil tries to interest Metz in the exciting world of digital agriculture. Content - Discussion of Chapters 30 and 31 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:23:1126/01/2018
Chapters 28 and 29 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 28 and 29 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Metz asks Phil about one of the most life-changing events in the 21st century. Content - Discussion of Chapters 28 and 29 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:19:4919/01/2018
Chapters 26 and 27 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 26 and 27 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Metz asks Phil about one of the most life-changing events in the 21st century. Content - Discussion of Chapters 26 and 27 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:15:0012/01/2018
Chapters 24 and 25 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 24 and 25 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Phil makes Metz defend one of his tweets about the show American Vandal Content - Discussion of Chapters 24 and 25 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:11:3505/01/2018
Chapters 22 and 23 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 22 and 23 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Phil complains about the video of Peter Pan that Metz made him watch. Content - Discussion of Chapters 22 and 23 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:05:5729/12/2017
Chapters 20 and 21 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 20 and 21 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Metz tries to get Phil to talk about Super Mario Odyssey, but accidentally ends up segueing into another critique of contemporary television. Content - Discussion of Chapters 20 and 21 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:25:3122/12/2017
Chapters 18 and 19 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 18 and 19 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Phil asks Metz about the history of Gelatin. Content - Discussion of Chapters 18 and 19 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:08:5315/12/2017
Chapters 16 and 17 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 16 and 17 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Metz introduces a new feature called "Defend Your Tweet." Content - Discussion of Chapters 16 and 17 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:02:3408/12/2017
Chapter 15 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapter 15 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Content - General discussion and discussion of Chapter 15 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:08:1101/12/2017
Chapters 13 and 14 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 13 and 14 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Metz and Phil discuss waiting in line for the SNES Mini. Content - Discussion of Chapters 13 and 14 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:15:0224/11/2017
Chapters 11 and 12 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 11 and 12 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Metz grills Phil on his knowledge of architecture. Content - Discussion of Chapters 11 and 12 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:29:0517/11/2017
Chapters 9 and 10 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 9 and 10 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Phil talks about his love of National parks. Content - Discussion of Chapters 9 and 10 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe.    Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:21:1610/11/2017
Chapters 7 and 8 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 7 and 8 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Phil recommends a new book Content - Discussion of Chapters 7 and 8 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:11:5603/11/2017
Chapter 6 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapter 6 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Metz and Phil discuss the signature dishes they're known for cooking at home. Content - Discussion of Chapter 6 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:04:5127/10/2017
Chapters 4 and 5 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 4 and 5 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Phil asks Metz for advice on his singing. Content - Discussion of chapters 4 and 5 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:22:2720/10/2017
Chapters 2 and 3 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Chapters 2 and 3 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Metz asks Phil about the experience of going on a cruise. Content - Discussion of Chapters 2 and 3 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:17:2313/10/2017
Introduction and Chapter 1 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Introduction and Chapter 1 - Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer

Intro - Phil asks Metz to describe his ideal adaptation of The Shadow of the Torturer. Content - Introduction to our approach and discussion of Chapter 1 of The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:15:2606/10/2017
Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles

Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles

Intro - Metz and Phil discuss one of their fondly remembered childhood fads. Content - Discussion of The Martian, The Long Years, There Will Come Soft Rains, and The Million Year Picnic from The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:21:3229/09/2017
Jack Vance

Jack Vance

Intro - Metz and Phil talk about the low-brow popular culture they each love. Content - Discussion of Liane the Wayfarer and Guyal of Sfere from The Dying Earth, and The Sorcerer Pharesm from The Eyes of the Overworld, all by Jack Vance. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:19:4922/09/2017
H.G. Wells' The Time Machine and Rudyard Kipling's With the Night Mail

H.G. Wells' The Time Machine and Rudyard Kipling's With the Night Mail

Intro - Phil follows up with Metz after having read Nine Princes in Amber. Content - Discussion of The Time Machine by H.G. Wells and With the Night Mail by Rudyard Kipling. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:13:5015/09/2017
G.K Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday

G.K Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday

Intro - Phil grills Metz on the games announced for the SNES Mini. Content - Discussion of The Man Who Was Thursday, by G.K. Chesterton. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:18:0208/09/2017
Lord Dunsany

Lord Dunsany

Intro - Metz grills Phil on his experience at the Denver Comic-Con Content - Discussion of The Probable Adventure of the Three Literary Men, Chu-Bu and Sheemish, and The Three Sailors' Gambit by Lord Dunsany Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:16:2301/09/2017
Discussion - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Discussion - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Intro - Phil talks about his crazy college parties, and Boondock Saints. Content - Discussion of V.R.T. and the entirety of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:23:3625/08/2017
Pages 231-252 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Pages 231-252 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Intro - Metz tells Phil a joke that doesn't work on radio. Content - Discussion of pages 231-252 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe.    Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:17:1918/08/2017
Pages 215-231 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Pages 215-231 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Intro - Phil tries to get Metz to talk about  La La Land, but all he really wants to talk about are the works of Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Content - Discussion of pages 215-231 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe.    Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:15:1611/08/2017
Pages 192-214 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Pages 192-214 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Intro - Metz and Phil examine the perils of middle school Content - Discussion of pages 192-214 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:05:3204/08/2017
Pages 176-192 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Pages 176-192 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Intro - Phil and Metz discuss the upcoming Emoji Movie. Content - Discussion of pages 176-192 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
57:4428/07/2017
Pages 161-176 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Pages 161-176 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Intro - Metz asks Phil about his favorite Road Trip. Content - Discussion of pages 161-176 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe.    Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:09:4321/07/2017
Pages 145-161 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Pages 145-161 - Gene Wolfe's V.R.T.

Intro: We announce the upcoming titles that we will discuss on the podcast once we complete Fifth Head.   Content: Discussion of Pages 145-161 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe.    Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:11:3114/07/2017
Discussion - Gene Wolfe's "A Story," by John V. Marsch

Discussion - Gene Wolfe's "A Story," by John V. Marsch

  Content: Discussion of "A Story,"  by John V. Marsch and what we know so far in the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:11:5107/07/2017
Pages 131-141 - Gene Wolfe's "A Story," by John V. Marsch

Pages 131-141 - Gene Wolfe's "A Story," by John V. Marsch

Intro: Phil tries to get Metz to explain the bad cinematography in Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them.   Content: Discussion of Pages 131-141 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:01:4230/06/2017
Pages 115-131 - Gene Wolfe's "A Story," by John V. Marsch"

Pages 115-131 - Gene Wolfe's "A Story," by John V. Marsch"

Intro: Metz and Phil talk about some of their favorite painters.   Content: Discussion of Pages 115-131 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe.    Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:08:0323/06/2017
Pages 100-115 - Gene Wolfe's "A Story," by John V. Marsch"

Pages 100-115 - Gene Wolfe's "A Story," by John V. Marsch"

Intro: Phil gets Metz to discuss his favorite board game.   Content: Discussion of Pages 100-115 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe.    Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
59:1816/06/2017
Pgs 85-100 - Gene Wolfe's "A Story," by John V. Marsch

Pgs 85-100 - Gene Wolfe's "A Story," by John V. Marsch

Intro: Phil talks about reading Redwall to his son.   Content (8:17): Discussion of Pages 85 - 100 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:15:0209/06/2017
Title Novella Discussion - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Title Novella Discussion - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Intro: Metz regales Phil with the time that his wife took their house cat to a cat show. Content (3:12): Post-read discussion of the title novella in The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:05:0602/06/2017
Pages 66-81 - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Pages 66-81 - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Intro: Phil explains why he hates the term "World Building."   Content (6:30): Discussion of Pages 66-81 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:02:5026/05/2017
Pages 51-66 - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Pages 51-66 - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Intro: Metz tries to entice Phil into reading Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber. Content (9:18): Discussion of Pages 51-66 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe. Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:03:4619/05/2017
Pages 36-50 - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Pages 36-50 - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Intro: Phil tells Metz about The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. Content (7:42): Discussion of Pages 36-50 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe.    Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:14:2712/05/2017
Pages 22-36 - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Pages 22-36 - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

  Intro: Metz asks Phil to describe the merits of interactive fiction. Content (10:30): Discussion of Pages 22-36 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe.    Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
55:5505/05/2017
Pages 11-22 - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Pages 11-22 - Gene Wolfe's The Fifth Head of Cerberus

Intro: Phil asks Metz to go more in-depth about his interests in pattern-based comedy.   Content (8:28): Discussion of Pages 11-22 of the First Orb Edition of The Fifth Head of Cerberus, by Gene Wolfe.  Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:21:0528/04/2017
Scene II.vii -  Tom Stoppard's Arcadia

Scene II.vii - Tom Stoppard's Arcadia

Intro: Metz gets Phil to discuss the decline of political cartooning in the US. Content (6:35): Discussion of Act II, scene vii of Arcadia, by Tom Stoppard.  Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
01:11:2721/04/2017
Scenes II.v. and II.vi. - Tom Stoppard's Arcadia

Scenes II.v. and II.vi. - Tom Stoppard's Arcadia

Intro: Metz and Phil argue about the value of the Muppets to society. Content (8:40): Discussion of Scenes II.v. and II.vi. from "Arcadia" by Tom Stoppard.  Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
59:2914/04/2017
Scenes I.iii. and I.iv. - Tom Stoppard's Arcadia

Scenes I.iii. and I.iv. - Tom Stoppard's Arcadia

Intro: Phil and Metz discuss the videogame "Undertale." Content (8:54): Discussions of Scenes I.iii. and I.iv. of "Arcadia" by Tom Stoppard.  Check out more at alzabosoup.com.
57:0607/04/2017