https://simplecast.com Island Idylls Island Idylls riffs on books and life with Barry Menikoff. Author of Stone Mother, Brooklyn born and bred, retired Hawaii university professor, international scholar. Evangelical pastor Aaron Menikoff, author of Politics and Piety, spices this dialogue between father and son. Both chasing that elusive line in an old song, What's it all about, Alfie? 2019 Island Idylls en Fri, 17 Sep 2021 11:26:01 +0000 Fri, 17 Sep 2021 16:09:55 +0000 https://islandidylls.com Island Idylls https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/03579ff7-84a8-4a58-9408-8d985126857d/2fddb402-d566-4a31-83b1-e51b14a35069/3000x3000/islandidylls_coverart_1400x1400.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://islandidylls.com episodic Island Idylls riffs on books and life with Barry Menikoff. Author of Stone Mother, Brooklyn born and bred, retired Hawaii university professor, international scholar. Evangelical pastor Aaron Menikoff, author of Politics and Piety, spices this dialogue between father and son. Both chasing that elusive line in an old song, What's it all about, Alfie? Barry Menikoff, Aaron Menikoff no https://feeds.simplecast.com/rXkykDuL christianity, classics, history, judaism, literature, philosophy, reading, religion, writing Aaron Menikoff menikoff@gmail.com 4476b95d-e204-423e-a935-42786e519da9 36 - The Gothic Lit of Flannery O’Connor Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Fri, 17 Sep 2021 11:26:01 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/36-the-gothic-lit-of-flannery-oconnor-DwukON8_ Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 36 - The Gothic Lit of Flannery O’Connor Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:59:38 In their last episode of season three, the Menikoffs discuss one of the most interesting writers of the twentieth century, Flannery O’Connor. Her stories, categorized in the genre of Southern Literature or Gothic Literature, are dark, realistic, and reflective of the South in her generation. A Roman Catholic, O’Connor rejects the existentialism of other, famous, twentieth-century authors. But there is no sappy Christianese on the pages of her stories. She writes of horror, but she leaves room for hope, too. Barry and Aaron talk about “Revelation,” “The LIfe You Save May Be Your Own,” and “Everything that Rises Must Converge.” In their last episode of season three, the Menikoffs discuss one of the most interesting writers of the twentieth century, Flannery O’Connor. Her stories, categorized in the genre of Southern Literature or Gothic Literature, are dark, realistic, and reflective of the South in her generation. A Roman Catholic, O’Connor rejects the existentialism of other, famous, twentieth-century authors. But there is no sappy Christianese on the pages of her stories. She writes of horror, but she leaves room for hope, too. Barry and Aaron talk about “Revelation,” “The LIfe You Save May Be Your Own,” and “Everything that Rises Must Converge.” no full 3 554245c7-7a45-4ec9-9be9-a2c6d713b2f9 35 - Hemingway, Regret, and Death Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 18 Aug 2021 07:00:00 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/35-hemingway-regret-and-death-a0DMWnuJ Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 35 - Hemingway, Regret, and Death Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 01:04:40 Everybody’s heard of Ernest Hemingway, that leader of the “Lost Generation” and author of The Old Man and the Sea. By most accounts he wasn’t what we’d consider a “good” man but he was a writer of unparalleled skill. Barry and Aaron look at three of his short stories: “The Killers,” “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” and “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place.” The main thread tying each story together is death, it’s inevitability, and how people respond to it. Does Hemingway believe life has meaning? Not really, at least not more than any individual can give to it. Aaron disagrees, but that’s what makes their conversations so interesting. Everybody’s heard of Ernest Hemingway, that leader of the “Lost Generation” and author of The Old Man and the Sea. By most accounts he wasn’t what we’d consider a “good” man but he was a writer of unparalleled skill. Barry and Aaron look at three of his short stories: “The Killers,” “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” and “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place.” The main thread tying each story together is death, it’s inevitability, and how people respond to it. Does Hemingway believe life has meaning? Not really, at least not more than any individual can give to it. Aaron disagrees, but that’s what makes their conversations so interesting. no full 3 30818bb5-2098-41c7-a4b0-7ae0124e4207 34 - “Look it Up!” - A Dive Into the Dictionary Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 28 Jul 2021 08:16:31 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/34-look-it-up-a-dive-into-the-dictionary-MjVadAdw Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 34 - “Look it Up!” - A Dive Into the Dictionary Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:55:59 For those keeping track, this may be the only podcast episode on the dictionary out there! In this episode, Barry and Aaron take a break from the short story to think and talk about English dictionaries. Where did they come from, what are they, and why do they matter? Are dictionaries prescriptive--telling you what words should mean or descriptive--reflecting how we use words today? In the world of Google does anyone even need a dictionary today? Speaking of words, they begin this episode with a brief discussion of plagiarism, the stealing of someone else’s words. Take a break and enjoy a conversation you won’t hear anywhere else. For those keeping track, this may be the only podcast episode on the dictionary out there! In this episode, Barry and Aaron take a break from the short story to think and talk about English dictionaries. Where did they come from, what are they, and why do they matter? Are dictionaries prescriptive--telling you what words should mean or descriptive--reflecting how we use words today? In the world of Google does anyone even need a dictionary today? Speaking of words, they begin this episode with a brief discussion of plagiarism, the stealing of someone else’s words. Take a break and enjoy a conversation you won’t hear anywhere else. no full 3 4df93f8c-8634-42b6-b294-1e6c590866e6 33 - The Great Fitzgerald Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 16 Jun 2021 07:00:00 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/33-the-great-fitzgerald-nBzCLwMW Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 33 - The Great Fitzgerald Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:52:05 Barry and Aaron are back working through three of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s most famous short stories: “May Day,” “The Rich Boy,” and “Babylon Revisited.” After emerging as a rising star in his twenties, critics largely dismissed Fitzgerald in his own generation. However, few writers in American are as influential. His description of life in the Roaring Twenties of a hundred years ago is picked up by students and readers all across the land. Listen in as father and son discuss class conflict, getting ahead, wealth, and much more. Barry and Aaron are back working through three of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s most famous short stories: “May Day,” “The Rich Boy,” and “Babylon Revisited.” After emerging as a rising star in his twenties, critics largely dismissed Fitzgerald in his own generation. However, few writers in American are as influential. His description of life in the Roaring Twenties of a hundred years ago is picked up by students and readers all across the land. Listen in as father and son discuss class conflict, getting ahead, wealth, and much more. yes full 3 330d6662-cca2-4581-82f3-8142d984a2e1 32 - God & Meaning Nine Stories

Catcher in the Rye

 

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]]> Tue, 18 May 2021 07:00:30 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/32-god-meaning-1qfGSj8a Nine Stories

Catcher in the Rye

 

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]]> 32 - God & Meaning Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:56:30 In this episode, Barry and Aaron take a break from working through literature to hit the question of God head on. Why is it family members have such a hard time talking about politics and religion? Should they? These are hard questions to answer, but they’re important. Religion matters and even when we disagree we ought to be able to do so charitably, respecting the opinion of others regardless of whether we see eye-to-eye. But this episode isn’t about lecturing the listener--it’s about a Jewish father and his evangelical son talking openly and honestly about questions they both care about deeply. Listen and enjoy! In this episode, Barry and Aaron take a break from working through literature to hit the question of God head on. Why is it family members have such a hard time talking about politics and religion? Should they? These are hard questions to answer, but they’re important. Religion matters and even when we disagree we ought to be able to do so charitably, respecting the opinion of others regardless of whether we see eye-to-eye. But this episode isn’t about lecturing the listener--it’s about a Jewish father and his evangelical son talking openly and honestly about questions they both care about deeply. Listen and enjoy! no full 3 ed25fa96-5668-4a43-9105-44e7ef752cb1 31 - J. D. Salinger & Bananafish Nine Stories

Catcher in the Rye

 

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]]> Wed, 28 Apr 2021 07:00:00 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/31-j-d-salinger-bananfish-uIkDJnkl Nine Stories

Catcher in the Rye

 

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]]> 31 - J. D. Salinger & Bananafish Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:54:12 Salinger is most famous for that often-banned book, The Catcher in the Rye. It catapulted him to fame. However, in this episode, Barry and Aaron discuss his second popular work, a collection of stories not-so-creatively entitled, Nine Short Stories. From a man who playfully pretends to swim with bananafish--have you heard of them?--to a child who tries to comfort a soldier before he heads to battle, Nine Short Stories present us with the fact that reality can be hard and cold. One might wonder if Salinger channels Thomas Hobbes who insisted life is “nasty, brutish, and short.” Barry is captivated by the sparse and nearly-perfect writing of this mysterious, twentieth-century author. Aaron is impressed but raises questions about the theme of hopelessness that seems to saturate each tale. Take a moment and join another fascinating conversation. Salinger is most famous for that often-banned book, The Catcher in the Rye. It catapulted him to fame. However, in this episode, Barry and Aaron discuss his second popular work, a collection of stories not-so-creatively entitled, Nine Short Stories. From a man who playfully pretends to swim with bananafish--have you heard of them?--to a child who tries to comfort a soldier before he heads to battle, Nine Short Stories present us with the fact that reality can be hard and cold. One might wonder if Salinger channels Thomas Hobbes who insisted life is “nasty, brutish, and short.” Barry is captivated by the sparse and nearly-perfect writing of this mysterious, twentieth-century author. Aaron is impressed but raises questions about the theme of hopelessness that seems to saturate each tale. Take a moment and join another fascinating conversation. salinger, j. d. salinger, catcher in the rye no full 3 d79e7a1c-6aaa-491a-a312-bea0fb6f7527 30 - Who is Irwin Shaw? Rich Man, Poor Man

The Young Lions

Short Stories: Five Decades

IRWIN SHAW, EXTOLLED FOR SHORT STORIES, DIES by Herbert Mitgang, New York Times Obituary

 

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]]> Wed, 7 Apr 2021 07:00:00 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/30-who-is-irwin-shaw-PhMAuYcH Rich Man, Poor Man

The Young Lions

Short Stories: Five Decades

IRWIN SHAW, EXTOLLED FOR SHORT STORIES, DIES by Herbert Mitgang, New York Times Obituary

 

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]]> 30 - Who is Irwin Shaw? Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 01:00:51 Master. Short. Story. Writer. Seriously, if you pick up one of his short stories you will be impressed by his engaging and thoughtful writing. In episode 30, Barry and Aaron revisit their conversation about the nature of true beauty, but they also dig into Shaw. They examine four of his short stories: Main Currents of American Thought, The Fifty-Yard Run, Mixed Doubles, and The Girls in Their Summer Dresses. Each of these works can be found in his book, Short Stories: Five Decades. Master. Short. Story. Writer. Seriously, if you pick up one of his short stories you will be impressed by his engaging and thoughtful writing. In episode 30, Barry and Aaron revisit their conversation about the nature of true beauty, but they also dig into Shaw. They examine four of his short stories: Main Currents of American Thought, The Fifty-Yard Run, Mixed Doubles, and The Girls in Their Summer Dresses. Each of these works can be found in his book, Short Stories: Five Decades. irwin shaw no full 3 442c5241-db6c-426d-8fcb-b00f36c0f5fc 29 - What is Art? Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 17 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/29-what-is-art-GRUchsUS Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 29 - What is Art? Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 01:06:22 Who even asks this question anymore? Isn’t art whatever gets hung up on a wall in a museum? Barry and Aaron don’t think so--though they don’t agree about why this is the case! You’ve probably heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? But is it? Are there any universal principles that help explain why some art is better than other art? In this episode, the Menikoffs take a break from their series on short stories and explore what makes some art better than others. Please listen, and if you have a definition of art or beauty, let them know! Who even asks this question anymore? Isn’t art whatever gets hung up on a wall in a museum? Barry and Aaron don’t think so--though they don’t agree about why this is the case! You’ve probably heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? But is it? Are there any universal principles that help explain why some art is better than other art? In this episode, the Menikoffs take a break from their series on short stories and explore what makes some art better than others. Please listen, and if you have a definition of art or beauty, let them know! no full 3 bd6f3515-f37d-422e-921f-b583e76542f8 28 - Pale Horse, Pale Rider - Katherine Anne Porter Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2021 08:00:00 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/28-pale-horse-pale-rider-katherine-anne-porter-WNt401Wa Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 28 - Pale Horse, Pale Rider - Katherine Anne Porter Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 01:12:52 This past year we’ve all learned about the pandemic of 1918. (By the way, the book to read is The Great Influenza by John M. Barry.) Katherine Anne Porter, a young drama critic in Denver, caught the flu and made it out alive. Her story, Pale Horse, Pale Rider (an allusion from Revelation 6) tells the tale. Barry and Aaron discuss four of her stories, giving you a taste of this incredible author who married at sixteen, divorced at 25, acted in movies, traveled the word, served the Mexican Revolution, married repeatedly, and won a Pulitzer Prize. In all the stories Barry and Aaron talk about, death is central. People don’t talk much about death--even as Covid-19 has taken 400,000 American souls! Barry takes comfort in the stoicism of Marcus Aurelius while Aaron asserts the human soul is eternal. Island Idylls is a podcast about books, life, and sometimes, death. This past year we’ve all learned about the pandemic of 1918. (By the way, the book to read is The Great Influenza by John M. Barry.) Katherine Anne Porter, a young drama critic in Denver, caught the flu and made it out alive. Her story, Pale Horse, Pale Rider (an allusion from Revelation 6) tells the tale. Barry and Aaron discuss four of her stories, giving you a taste of this incredible author who married at sixteen, divorced at 25, acted in movies, traveled the word, served the Mexican Revolution, married repeatedly, and won a Pulitzer Prize. In all the stories Barry and Aaron talk about, death is central. People don’t talk much about death--even as Covid-19 has taken 400,000 American souls! Barry takes comfort in the stoicism of Marcus Aurelius while Aaron asserts the human soul is eternal. Island Idylls is a podcast about books, life, and sometimes, death. katherine anne porter no full 3 b8b5721c-0c2d-406a-b32a-58288b29f48d 27 - Capote’s A Christmas Memory Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 6 Jan 2021 08:00:00 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff, Truman Capote) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/27-capotes-a-christmas-memory-oslRJw3W Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 27 - Capote’s A Christmas Memory Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff, Truman Capote 00:59:11 Happy New Year! Before you say goodbye to the Christmas season why not take a break and spend a few minutes listening to Barry and Aaron talk about a beautiful short story, “A Christmas Memory,” by Truman Capote. Capote is most famous for In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. He wrote stories and screenplays and wound up something of a celebrity in his day before dying at the age of 60. He had great gifts and they are on full display in this autobiographical account of a few days he spent when just seven years old with his older cousin in a backwater town in the South. Of course, as usual, Barry and Aaron go down a few rabbit trails. They talk about censorship at the beginning of the episode and theology at the end. Enjoy! Happy New Year! Before you say goodbye to the Christmas season why not take a break and spend a few minutes listening to Barry and Aaron talk about a beautiful short story, “A Christmas Memory,” by Truman Capote. Capote is most famous for In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. He wrote stories and screenplays and wound up something of a celebrity in his day before dying at the age of 60. He had great gifts and they are on full display in this autobiographical account of a few days he spent when just seven years old with his older cousin in a backwater town in the South. Of course, as usual, Barry and Aaron go down a few rabbit trails. They talk about censorship at the beginning of the episode and theology at the end. Enjoy! truman capote no full 3 510513f9-4999-4f52-b8d5-bd29be3856e9 26 - Stevenson and the Short Story Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:01:11 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/26-stevenson-and-the-short-story-T8JpnlI5 Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 26 - Stevenson and the Short Story Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:51:26 Can you know Truth, with a capital T? Is uncertainty a necessary condition of our existence? After studying the canon of Robert Louis Stevenson, Barry argues the famous writer would have said “no” to the first question and “yes” to the second. Good writing is not escapism, it’s engagement with life’s deepest questions. But how do we know Stevenson is right? And can we privilege his materialistic worldview over and against, say, the theistic worldview of the Shema? “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might?” This is one of the “small” questions tackled in this episode! Episode 26 dives into the history of the short story, the role Robert Louis Stevenson played, and how modernism changed how so many people read and understand life. Heads up, in episode 27 we’ll be talking about Truman Capote and his short story, “A Christmas Memory.” Can you know Truth, with a capital T? Is uncertainty a necessary condition of our existence? After studying the canon of Robert Louis Stevenson, Barry argues the famous writer would have said “no” to the first question and “yes” to the second. Good writing is not escapism, it’s engagement with life’s deepest questions. But how do we know Stevenson is right? And can we privilege his materialistic worldview over and against, say, the theistic worldview of the Shema? “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might?” This is one of the “small” questions tackled in this episode! Episode 26 dives into the history of the short story, the role Robert Louis Stevenson played, and how modernism changed how so many people read and understand life. Heads up, in episode 27 we’ll be talking about Truman Capote and his short story, “A Christmas Memory.” robert louis stevenson no full 3 9c4f089c-1089-4291-a387-dbea41eeafcf 25 - Introduction to the Short Story Episode 25 tackles the subject of the short story. What is it (yes, of course, it’s short)? But there’s more to it than that. In this episode Barry defines terms and gives us a crash course in some of the most important, twentieth-century, writers.

In Episode 26 we’ll take a deep dive into Barry’s introduction to The Complete Short Stories of Robert Louis Stevenson.

One more thing: if you missed the writers Barry talked about in this episode, here’s a guide:

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

Katherine Ann Porter (1890-1980)

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1949)

D. H. Lawrence (1880-1930)

William Faulkner (1897-1962)

Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)

Richard Wright (1908-1960)

Eudora Welty (1909-2001)

Truman Capote (1924-1984)

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]]> Wed, 2 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/25-introduction-to-the-short-story-7yi_HpEM Episode 25 tackles the subject of the short story. What is it (yes, of course, it’s short)? But there’s more to it than that. In this episode Barry defines terms and gives us a crash course in some of the most important, twentieth-century, writers.

In Episode 26 we’ll take a deep dive into Barry’s introduction to The Complete Short Stories of Robert Louis Stevenson.

One more thing: if you missed the writers Barry talked about in this episode, here’s a guide:

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

Katherine Ann Porter (1890-1980)

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1949)

D. H. Lawrence (1880-1930)

William Faulkner (1897-1962)

Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)

Richard Wright (1908-1960)

Eudora Welty (1909-2001)

Truman Capote (1924-1984)

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]]> 25 - Introduction to the Short Story Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:37:26 It’s chilly outside so why not warm up to a brand new season of Island Idylls! If you’re new to the podcast, Barry is a retired English professor with a Jewish background and agnostic faith. He calls Hawaii home. Aaron, his son, is an evangelical pastor who live in Atlanta. The two share a love for reading which is what this podcast is all about. It’s chilly outside so why not warm up to a brand new season of Island Idylls! If you’re new to the podcast, Barry is a retired English professor with a Jewish background and agnostic faith. He calls Hawaii home. Aaron, his son, is an evangelical pastor who live in Atlanta. The two share a love for reading which is what this podcast is all about. nathaniel hawthorne, robert louis stevenson, katherine ann porter, richard wright, eudora welty, f. scott fitzgerald, william faulkner, ernest hemingway, truman capote, d. h. lawrence no full 3 2796e016-2655-49da-bd5c-de7688a7b2b9 24 - Anna Karenina As Barry and Aaron think about season three, drop them a note at islandidylls@gmail.com and let them know what you think of Island Idylls. Meanwhile, listen and enjoy! 

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]]> Wed, 16 Sep 2020 07:00:08 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/24-anna-karenina-KJilk6y4 As Barry and Aaron think about season three, drop them a note at islandidylls@gmail.com and let them know what you think of Island Idylls. Meanwhile, listen and enjoy! 

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]]> 24 - Anna Karenina Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 01:06:58 Season two of Island Idylls ends with a bang: one of history’s greatest novels, Anna Karenina. It has everything: marriage, adultery, tragedy, and an anguished search for the meaning of life. Barry and Aaron debate everything from the reality of Anna’s choices to the significance of Levin’s leap of faith. What is religion? What is happiness? Why does any of it matter? Good literature is a launching pad to good conversations and Anna Karenina does not disappoint. Season two of Island Idylls ends with a bang: one of history’s greatest novels, Anna Karenina. It has everything: marriage, adultery, tragedy, and an anguished search for the meaning of life. Barry and Aaron debate everything from the reality of Anna’s choices to the significance of Levin’s leap of faith. What is religion? What is happiness? Why does any of it matter? Good literature is a launching pad to good conversations and Anna Karenina does not disappoint. no full 2 cc035041-7e91-4219-b068-5409d50846e0 23 - Leo Tolstoy: Art as Mission? Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 2 Sep 2020 20:08:26 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/23-leo-tolstoy-art-as-mission-yQwiiOwq Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 23 - Leo Tolstoy: Art as Mission? Aaron Menikoff 00:42:26 Famous especially for two grand novels, War and Peace and Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy is an author with which every serious reader must reckon. In their latest podcast, Barry and Aaron introduce you to this giant of Russian literature. What made his writing great? Why has he endured the test of time? What did he want his art to do? That last question may be the most interesting. Should a piece of literature mature your understanding or should it seek to fundamentally change who you are and how you live? Famous especially for two grand novels, War and Peace and Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy is an author with which every serious reader must reckon. In their latest podcast, Barry and Aaron introduce you to this giant of Russian literature. What made his writing great? Why has he endured the test of time? What did he want his art to do? That last question may be the most interesting. Should a piece of literature mature your understanding or should it seek to fundamentally change who you are and how you live? no full 2 f86dcdc2-b14f-4a69-9c11-bb9e6663a601 22 - Ellison, Baldwin, and Black Lives Matter Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2020 12:08:54 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Barry Menikoff, Aaron Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/22-ellison-baldwin-and-black-lives-matter-63e0ynUg Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 22 - Ellison, Baldwin, and Black Lives Matter Barry Menikoff, Aaron Menikoff 00:47:18 As America is embroiled in conversations about race, we go back in time to discuss two twentieth-century writers, Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin. These aren’t the first to describe the black experience in the United States, but these artists have opened many people’s eyes to some of the indignities faced by African-Americans over the years. Barry and Aaron discuss Ellison’s Invisible Man, the significance of Baldwin, the influence of Richard Wright, and how these books inform our understanding of the Black Lives Matter movement today. As America is embroiled in conversations about race, we go back in time to discuss two twentieth-century writers, Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin. These aren’t the first to describe the black experience in the United States, but these artists have opened many people’s eyes to some of the indignities faced by African-Americans over the years. Barry and Aaron discuss Ellison’s Invisible Man, the significance of Baldwin, the influence of Richard Wright, and how these books inform our understanding of the Black Lives Matter movement today. no full 2 b20013ee-b3be-4702-8701-822b9f2974a9 21 - Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2020 07:00:08 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff, Edith Wharton) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/21-edith-whartons-ethan-frome-WwBpvIsj Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 21 - Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff, Edith Wharton 00:50:47 One of America’s greatest authors is Edith Wharton, the first female-winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Barry and Aaron discuss her life and one of her most famous books, Ethan Frome. Please, please, please: read this book (it’s barely 100 pages!) before you listen to this episode. Really, we mean it. You’ll thank us. Trust us. When you are ready, listen to this episode and listen in as Barry and Aaron discuss whether we should agree with naturalist writers like Wharton--that we at the whim of an uncaring universe or whether we have the ability to pursue moral decisions that can change our circumstances. It’s an important and engaging conversation. Enjoy! One of America’s greatest authors is Edith Wharton, the first female-winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Barry and Aaron discuss her life and one of her most famous books, Ethan Frome. Please, please, please: read this book (it’s barely 100 pages!) before you listen to this episode. Really, we mean it. You’ll thank us. Trust us. When you are ready, listen to this episode and listen in as Barry and Aaron discuss whether we should agree with naturalist writers like Wharton--that we at the whim of an uncaring universe or whether we have the ability to pursue moral decisions that can change our circumstances. It’s an important and engaging conversation. Enjoy! no full 2 e8f5600e-fcf6-4606-a9a2-ed15d361525f 20 - The Art of Writing II Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 1 Jul 2020 07:00:19 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/20-the-art-of-writing-ii-juwzOLsp Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 20 - The Art of Writing II Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:45:53 Barry and Aaron pick up a conversation they began in Episode 11 on what makes good writing. In that episode, they hung around 30,000 feet. In this episode, they drop down to a lower level and work through some basic tips to good writing. Writing isn’t for everybody, that’s for sure! Nonetheless, those who want to write better will be helped by a little instruction. Barry and Aaron pick up a conversation they began in Episode 11 on what makes good writing. In that episode, they hung around 30,000 feet. In this episode, they drop down to a lower level and work through some basic tips to good writing. Writing isn’t for everybody, that’s for sure! Nonetheless, those who want to write better will be helped by a little instruction. no full 2 fd826ecd-a2b4-437c-a0f5-58229ca6e24f 19 - Camus and the Meaning of Life Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2020 16:51:34 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/19-camus-and-the-meaning-of-life-ruvx_H8i Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 19 - Camus and the Meaning of Life Aaron Menikoff 00:43:41 Do you have a second to talk about the meaning of life? Albert Camus did. His last book, The Fall, gets to the heart of it. This Nobel prize winning author lost his dad to WWI, grew up in Algeria, worked with the resistance in WWII France, and wrote most of his works in the shadow of the Holocaust. Why are we here? What is life all about? If life doesn’t have meaning, should we just give it all up, buy a Winnebago, and roam North America listening to Bob Dylan CDs? Dylan said the answer is blowin’ in the wind. Camus might have agreed, but he put it differently, the answer is within you. Camus died in a car accident at the young age of 47. In the midst of a global pandemic, Barry and Aaron take a few minutes to talk and debate the question of life’s ultimate meaning. Do you have a second to talk about the meaning of life? Albert Camus did. His last book, The Fall, gets to the heart of it. This Nobel prize winning author lost his dad to WWI, grew up in Algeria, worked with the resistance in WWII France, and wrote most of his works in the shadow of the Holocaust. Why are we here? What is life all about? If life doesn’t have meaning, should we just give it all up, buy a Winnebago, and roam North America listening to Bob Dylan CDs? Dylan said the answer is blowin’ in the wind. Camus might have agreed, but he put it differently, the answer is within you. Camus died in a car accident at the young age of 47. In the midst of a global pandemic, Barry and Aaron take a few minutes to talk and debate the question of life’s ultimate meaning. no full 2 f97e0f07-e815-4fef-9e68-8ec9be307874 18 - Character Matters Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com.

]]> Mon, 11 May 2020 07:00:20 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/18-character-matters-hfG0IuMz Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com.

]]> 18 - Character Matters Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:47:39 In this episode, Aaron and Barry trade seats as Barry interviews his son about his new book, Character Matters: Shepherding in the Fruit of the Spirit. Barry is a Jewish, agnostic, literature professor. Aaron is an evangelical, Baptist, pastor. Let’s just say Barry isn’t the target for Aaron’s book about how Christians can grow to be more like Christ! The questions in this episode touch on everything from Aaron’s venture into ministry, the definition of godliness, whether non-Christians can be sanctified, and what Calvinism might have to do with any of this. It’s a fascinating conversation between a father and son who disagree in love. Listen in. In this episode, Aaron and Barry trade seats as Barry interviews his son about his new book, Character Matters: Shepherding in the Fruit of the Spirit. Barry is a Jewish, agnostic, literature professor. Aaron is an evangelical, Baptist, pastor. Let’s just say Barry isn’t the target for Aaron’s book about how Christians can grow to be more like Christ! The questions in this episode touch on everything from Aaron’s venture into ministry, the definition of godliness, whether non-Christians can be sanctified, and what Calvinism might have to do with any of this. It’s a fascinating conversation between a father and son who disagree in love. Listen in. no full 2 1a579685-f71c-442e-b476-b5c530140e5d 17 - Tender is the Night Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com.

]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2020 07:00:10 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/17-tender-is-the-night-jXlCUv0K Do you have questions for us? Email us at islandidylls@gmail.com.

]]> 17 - Tender is the Night Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:46:18 You have it all: a beautiful wife and two healthy children. Your friends adore you, your colleagues respect you, and you never, ever have to worry about money. You have everything. Unfortunately, under the surface, life is very different. Your wife is deeply, deeply troubled. Your children are unusually detached. Your friends regularly give you terrible counsel. Your job security depends on your wife’s family wealth. Welcome to what may be F. Scott Fitzgerald’s best book, Tender is the Night. He published it in 1934 after he’d experienced both great success and surprising failure. These are the words of a man chastened by the world. In this episode of Island Idylls, Barry and Aaron are back at it, discussing the life of the rich, the difficulties of marriage, and the sad reality that happiness is never found easily. You have it all: a beautiful wife and two healthy children. Your friends adore you, your colleagues respect you, and you never, ever have to worry about money. You have everything. Unfortunately, under the surface, life is very different. Your wife is deeply, deeply troubled. Your children are unusually detached. Your friends regularly give you terrible counsel. Your job security depends on your wife’s family wealth. Welcome to what may be F. Scott Fitzgerald’s best book, Tender is the Night. He published it in 1934 after he’d experienced both great success and surprising failure. These are the words of a man chastened by the world. In this episode of Island Idylls, Barry and Aaron are back at it, discussing the life of the rich, the difficulties of marriage, and the sad reality that happiness is never found easily. no full 2 76790056-57c4-4b66-a1b1-817379d1741a 16 - Fitzgerald and the Jazz Age Please, listen in and email us your comments: islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 8 Apr 2020 18:05:12 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/16-fitzgerald-and-the-jazz-age-QnBQdPNg Please, listen in and email us your comments: islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 16 - Fitzgerald and the Jazz Age Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:42:52 F. Scott Fitzgerald lived through the Spanish Flu of 1918. But he didn’t write about it. Most famously, he wrote about glitz, glamor, and romance. This Side of Paradise. The Beautiful and the Damned. The Great Gatsby. Tender is the Night. Long before the sexual revolution of the 1960s, authors like Fitzgerald worked hard to create a new morality, unmoored from the traditions of the past. In this introduction to Fitzgerald, Barry and Aaron talk about his writing, his morality, and the morality of an era--both in theology and literature--that paved the way for the postmodernism of today. F. Scott Fitzgerald lived through the Spanish Flu of 1918. But he didn’t write about it. Most famously, he wrote about glitz, glamor, and romance. This Side of Paradise. The Beautiful and the Damned. The Great Gatsby. Tender is the Night. Long before the sexual revolution of the 1960s, authors like Fitzgerald worked hard to create a new morality, unmoored from the traditions of the past. In this introduction to Fitzgerald, Barry and Aaron talk about his writing, his morality, and the morality of an era--both in theology and literature--that paved the way for the postmodernism of today. f. scott fitzgerald no full 2 c52cef20-8841-47f1-8323-d17f06f56a85 15 - Anatomy of a Story Please, listen in and email us your comments: islandidylls@gmail.com

]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2020 09:00:09 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Barry Menikoff, Aaron Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/15-anatomy-of-a-story-g5hbDolU Please, listen in and email us your comments: islandidylls@gmail.com

]]> 15 - Anatomy of a Story Barry Menikoff, Aaron Menikoff 00:44:41 Friends, these are trying times. You are probably anxious about the days ahead. This is understandable. Perhaps, you can take a break and listen in as Barry and Aaron discuss the basic elements of a story: plot, setting, character, point-of-view, and tone. Why bother? For one, we are all consumers of stories, be they written or on the screen. Knowing the composite parts of a story will make you a better consumer of fiction. Why else? Simply because you may need a break from all the bad news around you. Friends, these are trying times. You are probably anxious about the days ahead. This is understandable. Perhaps, you can take a break and listen in as Barry and Aaron discuss the basic elements of a story: plot, setting, character, point-of-view, and tone. Why bother? For one, we are all consumers of stories, be they written or on the screen. Knowing the composite parts of a story will make you a better consumer of fiction. Why else? Simply because you may need a break from all the bad news around you. no full 2 1404fdc8-2eac-4bd0-b573-6d83fe56a6a1 14 - Lawrence, Sons and Lovers Questions, comments, or ideas? Email islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 11 Mar 2020 14:11:56 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/14-lawrence-sons-and-lovers-6zT3uMZM Questions, comments, or ideas? Email islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 14 - Lawrence, Sons and Lovers Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:47:12 What were you doing in your mid to late 20s? D. H. Lawrence was writing Sons and Lovers, an autobiographical coming of age story about his life in an industrializing region of England. He describes his parents’ awful marriage, his mother’s unnatural attachment to her sons, and his own failed attempts at love. For the reader, his writing will floor you. His prose is simple, elegant, and powerful. For the agnostic/skeptic, you will find a man who looked into the face of religion and rejected it wholesale. For the Christian, you will be saddened by a man who boldly identified himself as the center of the universe. As always, Barry and Aaron don’t always agree, but their conversation brings Lawrence’s ideas to life. What were you doing in your mid to late 20s? D. H. Lawrence was writing Sons and Lovers, an autobiographical coming of age story about his life in an industrializing region of England. He describes his parents’ awful marriage, his mother’s unnatural attachment to her sons, and his own failed attempts at love. For the reader, his writing will floor you. His prose is simple, elegant, and powerful. For the agnostic/skeptic, you will find a man who looked into the face of religion and rejected it wholesale. For the Christian, you will be saddened by a man who boldly identified himself as the center of the universe. As always, Barry and Aaron don’t always agree, but their conversation brings Lawrence’s ideas to life. no full 2 1d31ebfc-c629-465a-a3b1-21616f203df8 13 - D. H. Lawrence & Pornography Listen and enjoy. If you have any feedback or questions, email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> Wed, 26 Feb 2020 11:00:09 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff, D. H. Lawrence) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/13-d-h-lawrence-pornography-gShlggCJ Listen and enjoy. If you have any feedback or questions, email us at islandidylls@gmail.com

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]]> 13 - D. H. Lawrence & Pornography Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff, D. H. Lawrence 00:48:48 It’s Season 2 of Island Idylls! In episode 13 we introduce you to D. H. Lawrence, the famous, British author who did more than push the envelope when it came to writing about sex and sexuality . . . he blew it up. What is considered mainstream today would have been banned a century ago. Lawrence played a huge role in that change. Barry and Aaron don’t just talk about Lawrence. They dive into the question about why people disagree over what’s appropriate to watch and read. They agree it’s a decision everyone has to make for himself. Aaron argues your view of God will change your viewing and reading habits. Barry agrees and rightly points out not everyone believes in the God of the Bible. It’s Season 2 of Island Idylls! In episode 13 we introduce you to D. H. Lawrence, the famous, British author who did more than push the envelope when it came to writing about sex and sexuality . . . he blew it up. What is considered mainstream today would have been banned a century ago. Lawrence played a huge role in that change. Barry and Aaron don’t just talk about Lawrence. They dive into the question about why people disagree over what’s appropriate to watch and read. They agree it’s a decision everyone has to make for himself. Aaron argues your view of God will change your viewing and reading habits. Barry agrees and rightly points out not everyone believes in the God of the Bible. d. h. lawrence no full 2 0657f4f0-d8ea-42b1-a9a5-4d78bd3b4374 12 - Great Black Writers 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:57:55 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/12-great-black-writers-ocHwIaOQ 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> 12 - Great Black Writers Aaron Menikoff 00:48:14 Welcome to the last episode of season one! Barry and Aaron address the elephant in the room: they are two white men who have been talking about dead white authors. Therefore, recording on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2020, Barry and Aaron dive into the topic of African-American authors. Since 1965 and well into the twenty-first century, Barry introduced more than one generation to literature written by black authors. Authors like James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, Chester Himes, John A. Williams (The Man Who Cried I Am), John Edgar Wideman, Toni Morrison, and W. E. B. Dubois are important not fundamentally because they are black authors but because they are good authors. Welcome to the last episode of season one! Barry and Aaron address the elephant in the room: they are two white men who have been talking about dead white authors. Therefore, recording on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2020, Barry and Aaron dive into the topic of African-American authors. Since 1965 and well into the twenty-first century, Barry introduced more than one generation to literature written by black authors. Authors like James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, Chester Himes, John A. Williams (The Man Who Cried I Am), John Edgar Wideman, Toni Morrison, and W. E. B. Dubois are important not fundamentally because they are black authors but because they are good authors. no full 1 21bf7079-9a4d-43f0-8f6d-56088363b59b 11 - The Art of Writing 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> Wed, 8 Jan 2020 11:00:02 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/11-the-art-of-writing-R5PbXjCc 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> 11 - The Art of Writing Aaron Menikoff 00:39:16 Writing is a process of learning and discovery. Do you want to be a writer? This episode is for you. Should you start the process with a pencil or a keyboard? This episode is for you. Do you want to know what trips up most writers? This episode is for you. Is it more important for your writing to be clear or for your writing to be beautiful? Again, this episode is for you, Good writing is the fruit of slow, careful, and deliberate thinking.They start with a quote by Francis Bacon: “Reading maketh a full man, conversation a ready man, and writing an exact man.” It’s a saying Barry has turned to again and again because critical thinking requires all three. Maybe 2020 will be a year you devote yourself to writing more: a personal journal, a blog, even your first novel. If that’s you, you’ll enjoy listening as Barry and Aaron go back and forth about the process of writing. Writing is a process of learning and discovery. Do you want to be a writer? This episode is for you. Should you start the process with a pencil or a keyboard? This episode is for you. Do you want to know what trips up most writers? This episode is for you. Is it more important for your writing to be clear or for your writing to be beautiful? Again, this episode is for you, Good writing is the fruit of slow, careful, and deliberate thinking.They start with a quote by Francis Bacon: “Reading maketh a full man, conversation a ready man, and writing an exact man.” It’s a saying Barry has turned to again and again because critical thinking requires all three. Maybe 2020 will be a year you devote yourself to writing more: a personal journal, a blog, even your first novel. If that’s you, you’ll enjoy listening as Barry and Aaron go back and forth about the process of writing. no full 1 5ce7bf66-bf78-4f86-be53-71796f0ff77e 10 - Marriage in The Portrait 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> Wed, 11 Dec 2019 08:00:02 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/10-marriage-in-the-portrait-XbcdLIj_ 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> 10 - Marriage in The Portrait Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:42:35 What is marriage? Does it matter? Does your view of marriage affect how you read literature? In their tenth episode (whoohooo!) Aaron and Barry dive into The Portrait of a Lady by the great Henry James. Interestingly, though James never married himself, he wrote a novel with marriage as the central theme. Spoiler alert: they give away the whole plot! Barry and his son trace the journey of young Isabel Archer who marries the despicable Gilbert Osmond. But in this episode, Aaron and Barry don’t just talk about The Portrait, they talk about marriage itself. This is where it gets really interesting. They discuss the relationship between romance and marriage. They explore why people get married. As usual, their differences shine through this episode. Remember, Aaron is a Christian church pastor, Barry is a Jewish college professor. But their love and respect for one another shines through, too. Listen in, and enjoy! What is marriage? Does it matter? Does your view of marriage affect how you read literature? In their tenth episode (whoohooo!) Aaron and Barry dive into The Portrait of a Lady by the great Henry James. Interestingly, though James never married himself, he wrote a novel with marriage as the central theme. Spoiler alert: they give away the whole plot! Barry and his son trace the journey of young Isabel Archer who marries the despicable Gilbert Osmond. But in this episode, Aaron and Barry don’t just talk about The Portrait, they talk about marriage itself. This is where it gets really interesting. They discuss the relationship between romance and marriage. They explore why people get married. As usual, their differences shine through this episode. Remember, Aaron is a Christian church pastor, Barry is a Jewish college professor. But their love and respect for one another shines through, too. Listen in, and enjoy! henry james, literature no full 1 b2ad43a1-2503-4415-b4e8-521d962442f8 09 - Henry James, “The Master” 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> Thu, 28 Nov 2019 06:27:52 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/09-henry-james-the-master-IS3m_Ote 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> 09 - Henry James, “The Master” Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:39:20 Do you like Marvel movies? Barry doesn’t. In fact, he says he hasn’t even seen one. But most of us have, and we like action. Lots of action. Superhero action. Henry James was a different kind of author. His heroines were usually women, but not of the Captain Marvel variety! They are strong, independent, willful women. But they are women, like all of us, who live in a world that is full of pain. We live in a world that doesn’t go our way. In this episode, Barry introduces us to an author who devoted himself to developing characters. Their trials and pain is the heart of the works of Henry James. His writing raises big questions. What is happiness? Why is the world so hard? Whom can you trust? Listen in and learn about a writer known as “the Shakespeare of the novel.” As an added bonus, this episode is not nearly as long as a Marvel movie! Do you like Marvel movies? Barry doesn’t. In fact, he says he hasn’t even seen one. But most of us have, and we like action. Lots of action. Superhero action. Henry James was a different kind of author. His heroines were usually women, but not of the Captain Marvel variety! They are strong, independent, willful women. But they are women, like all of us, who live in a world that is full of pain. We live in a world that doesn’t go our way. In this episode, Barry introduces us to an author who devoted himself to developing characters. Their trials and pain is the heart of the works of Henry James. His writing raises big questions. What is happiness? Why is the world so hard? Whom can you trust? Listen in and learn about a writer known as “the Shakespeare of the novel.” As an added bonus, this episode is not nearly as long as a Marvel movie! shakespeare, henry james, marvel comics no full 1 b025b810-ad4a-4c5f-9783-ec183fb96363 08 - The Art of Reading 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> Wed, 6 Nov 2019 08:00:09 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/08-the-art-of-reading-IkRMB4J0 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> 08 - The Art of Reading Aaron Menikoff 00:40:51 Okay, so technically speaking, reading is not an art. The book is the art. But the point is that reading is more complicated than one might think! You have to decide what to read, and that means saying “no” to a lot of other reading. Barry and Aaron go back to forth about how they decide what to read. Barry points out there are different seasons in life that will dictate your reading choices. Aaron shares how much of his reading is affected by his conviction a personal God inspired the Bible. Both agree that Netflix and the like are not friends to reading in the twenty-first century. There is something to be gained through flipping the pages of a book that can’t be captured by the most epic movie. Time will tell. In the meantime, consider putting down your smartphone and picking up a book. Okay, so technically speaking, reading is not an art. The book is the art. But the point is that reading is more complicated than one might think! You have to decide what to read, and that means saying “no” to a lot of other reading. Barry and Aaron go back to forth about how they decide what to read. Barry points out there are different seasons in life that will dictate your reading choices. Aaron shares how much of his reading is affected by his conviction a personal God inspired the Bible. Both agree that Netflix and the like are not friends to reading in the twenty-first century. There is something to be gained through flipping the pages of a book that can’t be captured by the most epic movie. Time will tell. In the meantime, consider putting down your smartphone and picking up a book. no full 1 ebdb3718-21aa-481e-89ea-4312f86acd6f 07 - Thoreau’s Walden 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> Wed, 23 Oct 2019 14:47:51 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Henry David Thoreau, Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/thoreaus-walden-9X2a2DDh 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> 07 - Thoreau’s Walden Henry David Thoreau, Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:35:48 A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (okay, not really) lived a man named Henry David Thoreau. He was a radical in his day, a philosopher and a loner. Barry calls him an anarchist. He spent a couple of years living by himself, near a pond, looking at nature and thinking. Thinking, thinking, thinking. If you’ve ever heard the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation or if you’ve ever been encouraged to march to the beat of your own drum . . . you’ve felt the enduring influence of Thoreau’s Walden. Barry and Aaron agree Thoreau is influential, but they disagree on how helpful he is. Barry celebrates Thoreau’s resolute, personal optimism. Aaron sees in Thoreau an unfortunate slide away from the value of faith in a persona, real Creator. It’s an interesting conversation. Listen in. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (okay, not really) lived a man named Henry David Thoreau. He was a radical in his day, a philosopher and a loner. Barry calls him an anarchist. He spent a couple of years living by himself, near a pond, looking at nature and thinking. Thinking, thinking, thinking. If you’ve ever heard the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation or if you’ve ever been encouraged to march to the beat of your own drum . . . you’ve felt the enduring influence of Thoreau’s Walden. Barry and Aaron agree Thoreau is influential, but they disagree on how helpful he is. Barry celebrates Thoreau’s resolute, personal optimism. Aaron sees in Thoreau an unfortunate slide away from the value of faith in a persona, real Creator. It’s an interesting conversation. Listen in. henry david thoreau, walden, anarchist, philosopher, optimism, philosophy, faith no full 1 3cf1a7ef-8b0a-4e72-a4a5-19bc40c42ed7 06 - Stone Mother, Part Three 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> Wed, 9 Oct 2019 14:49:11 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/06-stone-mother-part-three-n7APQ_Pc 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> 06 - Stone Mother, Part Three Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:59:14 Did you know Brooklyn College offered free admission for outstanding students in the 1950s? Did you know freshman students were treated to visiting lectures from Ayn Rand, Robert Frost, and Margaret Mead? Such was college life for Barry Menikoff. In this final interview about Barry’s memoir, Stone Mother, Aaron asks his dad why he chose Brooklyn College. The two have a lengthy conversation about the trials of getting a college education in twenty-first century America. Barry also explains why he refused to learn about Christian art. And about resorts in the Catskill mountains . . . this is where Barry worked to feed himself as a college student. Such resorts were frequented by Jewish families denied entrance to other, popular East Coast resorts. A dark day in American history, and another chapter in Barry’s life. Did you know Brooklyn College offered free admission for outstanding students in the 1950s? Did you know freshman students were treated to visiting lectures from Ayn Rand, Robert Frost, and Margaret Mead? Such was college life for Barry Menikoff. In this final interview about Barry’s memoir, Stone Mother, Aaron asks his dad why he chose Brooklyn College. The two have a lengthy conversation about the trials of getting a college education in twenty-first century America. Barry also explains why he refused to learn about Christian art. And about resorts in the Catskill mountains . . . this is where Barry worked to feed himself as a college student. Such resorts were frequented by Jewish families denied entrance to other, popular East Coast resorts. A dark day in American history, and another chapter in Barry’s life. christian art, brooklyn college, ayn rand, margaret mead, robert frost, stone mother, catskills no full 1 b6078fca-91d5-4e9d-a489-b7c3303117d5 05 - Stone Mother, Part Two 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> Wed, 25 Sep 2019 07:00:14 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/005-stone-mother-part-two-IO11vE9R 🎙️🎙️🎙️

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]]> 05 - Stone Mother, Part Two Aaron Menikoff 00:53:25 Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn--why is everyone so fascinated by Brooklyn? Barry, who grew up there, isn’t sure, but he does know that Brooklyn is the foundation of his life, and it’s a life worth remembering. In this episode Barry paints a picture of growing up on the streets of Brooklyn in the age of pushcarts and trolleys. He even drops the word, haberdashery! We learn more about his mother, Blanche, what she meant to him, and how the failures of his father shaped his own view of parenting. As sad as much of his childhood was, it’s not all doom and gloom. Barry was a dancer, he laughed and played with his friends, and he loved Audrey Hepburn from afar. Listen in as Aaron tries to get his dad to open up about all this, about life, and about growing old. Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn--why is everyone so fascinated by Brooklyn? Barry, who grew up there, isn’t sure, but he does know that Brooklyn is the foundation of his life, and it’s a life worth remembering. In this episode Barry paints a picture of growing up on the streets of Brooklyn in the age of pushcarts and trolleys. He even drops the word, haberdashery! We learn more about his mother, Blanche, what she meant to him, and how the failures of his father shaped his own view of parenting. As sad as much of his childhood was, it’s not all doom and gloom. Barry was a dancer, he laughed and played with his friends, and he loved Audrey Hepburn from afar. Listen in as Aaron tries to get his dad to open up about all this, about life, and about growing old. no full 1 91b1fb7c-f684-4324-87b6-4015d9b09a34 04 - Stone Mother, Part One Wed, 11 Sep 2019 10:00:10 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/004-stone-mother-part-one-YgwSF7RP 04 - Stone Mother, Part One Aaron Menikoff 00:49:38 Everybody has a story, but most people don’t write them down. Barry did! In his memoir, Stone Mother, Barry shares what he remembers about his early years. A family that escaped persecution in Poland. Growing up poor. Being alone. Being Jewish. Escaping New York. In this episode, Aaron asks his father to define a memoir. Why doesn’t his memoir read like a novel? Does it matter? They move on to discuss why his family preferred not to discuss the Old Country they left behind to settle in America and how Barry came to be shaped by the Holocaust (he prefers the Hebrew term, shoah). We meet Barry’s father, known as Zeyde, a man of deep, Jewish faith deeply respected by children and neighbors alike. We also meet Ephrain, Barry’s father, a kind but indifferent man. We only briefly meet Barry’s mother--the person who shaped him the most. It’s a conversation about family history, but it’s also a window into the thoughts of an immigrant, a Jewish-American, navigating life in the New World. Everybody has a story, but most people don’t write them down. Barry did! In his memoir, Stone Mother, Barry shares what he remembers about his early years. A family that escaped persecution in Poland. Growing up poor. Being alone. Being Jewish. Escaping New York. In this episode, Aaron asks his father to define a memoir. Why doesn’t his memoir read like a novel? Does it matter? They move on to discuss why his family preferred not to discuss the Old Country they left behind to settle in America and how Barry came to be shaped by the Holocaust (he prefers the Hebrew term, shoah). We meet Barry’s father, known as Zeyde, a man of deep, Jewish faith deeply respected by children and neighbors alike. We also meet Ephrain, Barry’s father, a kind but indifferent man. We only briefly meet Barry’s mother--the person who shaped him the most. It’s a conversation about family history, but it’s also a window into the thoughts of an immigrant, a Jewish-American, navigating life in the New World. no full 1 445848fc-5ebd-4769-a7c7-4665ab1ae050 03 - Breaking Down the “System” Fri, 30 Aug 2019 02:54:46 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/003-breaking-down-the-system-n45JFnPS 03 - Breaking Down the “System” Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:34:57 Barry and Aaron dive into the deep end of the pool as they discuss Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem, “System,” found in his famous Child’s Garden of Verses. What do most people think about religion? Is it a “system” that blesses the good and punishes the bad--as the poem suggests? Barry argues Stevenson found comfort (and helped scores of others find comfort) by rejecting this system and seeing Chance as the backdrop of the universe. Resigning oneself to the unknown is the only way one will be better. Aaron presses the question of what the Old and New Testament actually teach about providence and chance, not a tit-for-tat “system,” but a theology of mysterious providence and divine grace. On the answer to these questions, father and son agree to differ, and that’s what makes Island Idylls so interesting. Robert Louis Stevenson, “System”: Every night my prayers I say. And get my dinner every day; And every day that I’ve been good, I get an orange after food. The child that is not clean and neat, With lots of toys and things to eat, He is a naughty child I’m sure-- Or else his dear papa is poor. Barry and Aaron dive into the deep end of the pool as they discuss Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem, “System,” found in his famous Child’s Garden of Verses. What do most people think about religion? Is it a “system” that blesses the good and punishes the bad--as the poem suggests? Barry argues Stevenson found comfort (and helped scores of others find comfort) by rejecting this system and seeing Chance as the backdrop of the universe. Resigning oneself to the unknown is the only way one will be better. Aaron presses the question of what the Old and New Testament actually teach about providence and chance, not a tit-for-tat “system,” but a theology of mysterious providence and divine grace. On the answer to these questions, father and son agree to differ, and that’s what makes Island Idylls so interesting. Robert Louis Stevenson, “System”: Every night my prayers I say. And get my dinner every day; And every day that I’ve been good, I get an orange after food. The child that is not clean and neat, With lots of toys and things to eat, He is a naughty child I’m sure-- Or else his dear papa is poor. robert louis stevenson no full 1 5c9cd6cb-b597-4a85-84e0-dabce32d1de5 02 - Introducing Barry Menikoff As a newly minted PhD at the young age of 26, less than 25 years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Barry said goodbye to Madison, and found himself teaching Hawaiians just a few miles off Waikiki Beach. There are worse places to work!

Today, Barry is known as a renowned Robert Louis Stevenson scholar. Thanks to his plain prose and books like Treasure Island, the Scottish writer had been primarily considered a children’s author. Barry challenged that narrative and reintroduced Stevenson to a new generation of readers.

In the months ahead, Island Idylls will be exploring several works that have stood the test of time. This episode helps us understand why Barry is a reliable guide.

For some of Barry’s writings, check out his introductions to the following works by Robert Louis Stevenson: The Beach of Falesa, The Complete Stories of Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped, and David Balfour. See also Menikoff, Narrating Scotland: The Imagination of Robert Louis Stevenson. To prepare for upcoming conversations, consider reading the memoir of his Brooklyn years, Stone Mother.

Finally, the Stevenson poem Aaron and Barry struggled to recall is called, “System,” and goes like this:

Every night my prayers I say.
And get my dinner every day;
And every day that I’ve been good,
I get an orange after food.

The child that is not clean and neat,
With lots of toys and things to eat,
He is a naughty child I’m sure--
Or else his dear papa is poor.

]]> Wed, 14 Aug 2019 20:12:20 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/002-introducing-barry-menikoff-6OKifnjY As a newly minted PhD at the young age of 26, less than 25 years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Barry said goodbye to Madison, and found himself teaching Hawaiians just a few miles off Waikiki Beach. There are worse places to work!

Today, Barry is known as a renowned Robert Louis Stevenson scholar. Thanks to his plain prose and books like Treasure Island, the Scottish writer had been primarily considered a children’s author. Barry challenged that narrative and reintroduced Stevenson to a new generation of readers.

In the months ahead, Island Idylls will be exploring several works that have stood the test of time. This episode helps us understand why Barry is a reliable guide.

For some of Barry’s writings, check out his introductions to the following works by Robert Louis Stevenson: The Beach of Falesa, The Complete Stories of Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped, and David Balfour. See also Menikoff, Narrating Scotland: The Imagination of Robert Louis Stevenson. To prepare for upcoming conversations, consider reading the memoir of his Brooklyn years, Stone Mother.

Finally, the Stevenson poem Aaron and Barry struggled to recall is called, “System,” and goes like this:

Every night my prayers I say.
And get my dinner every day;
And every day that I’ve been good,
I get an orange after food.

The child that is not clean and neat,
With lots of toys and things to eat,
He is a naughty child I’m sure--
Or else his dear papa is poor.

]]> 02 - Introducing Barry Menikoff Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:53:33 Episode Two: Introducing Barry Menikoff On this episode of Island Idylls we trace Barry’s journey from Brooklyn College to the University of Hawaii where he forged a career as a professor of literature. Episode Two: Introducing Barry Menikoff On this episode of Island Idylls we trace Barry’s journey from Brooklyn College to the University of Hawaii where he forged a career as a professor of literature. no full 1 6479ffff-33f2-4f2e-a4d4-324c2f6d9032 01 - Introducing Island Idylls Tue, 30 Jul 2019 23:42:44 +0000 menikoff@gmail.com (Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff) https://islandidylls.com/episodes/001-introducing-island-idylls-41AdG4r5 01 - Introducing Island Idylls Aaron Menikoff, Barry Menikoff 00:25:08 You’ve found Island Idylls! In this inaugural episode, Barry and Aaron get to the bottom of the title. What island are they talking about (hint: Aloha) and what exactly is an “idyll”? They explain the origin of the podcast. Long story short, it begins with a father who spent his life as an English professor and a son who loves to ask lots of questions. Barry is a literature expert, and Aaron gets him to discuss the importance of expertise in a world where the transfer of knowledge has been democratized. There is so much to be thankful for in this data-driven digital age, but there’s a time to kick back and learn from those who have given extended time to study a particular subject. Aaron and Barry explain what sets this podcast apart. It’s not just that they are father and son--thought that’s fun. But the one asking the questions--the son--is, gasp, an evangelical pastor. The one answering grew up on the streets of Brooklyn in an orthodox Jewish community. It’s always a lively conversation. You’ve found Island Idylls! In this inaugural episode, Barry and Aaron get to the bottom of the title. What island are they talking about (hint: Aloha) and what exactly is an “idyll”? They explain the origin of the podcast. Long story short, it begins with a father who spent his life as an English professor and a son who loves to ask lots of questions. Barry is a literature expert, and Aaron gets him to discuss the importance of expertise in a world where the transfer of knowledge has been democratized. There is so much to be thankful for in this data-driven digital age, but there’s a time to kick back and learn from those who have given extended time to study a particular subject. Aaron and Barry explain what sets this podcast apart. It’s not just that they are father and son--thought that’s fun. But the one asking the questions--the son--is, gasp, an evangelical pastor. The one answering grew up on the streets of Brooklyn in an orthodox Jewish community. It’s always a lively conversation. no full 1