Beyond the Walls Book Chat
J.R.R. Tolkien once said, "Fairy tales do not deny the existence of sorrow and failure; they give a fleeting glimpse of joy beyond the walls of the world, poignant as grief."
This podcast is designed to take you on a journey beyond those walls to discover the joy, wisdom, and timeless lessons classic books offer. If you have a thirst for knowledge, a love for literature, and a desire to grow through the wisdom of authors long gone then this podcast is for you. Use these episodes to curate a personal reading list that enriches your mind and soul. Let's embark on a literary adventure together and find the joy that lies beyond the walls.
Please send all questions, comments, and book recommendations to beyondthewallsbookchat@gmail.com.
Episodes
117 episodes
Charlotte Bronte
From a traumatic boarding school to an imaginary childhood world Charlotte Bronte lived all the extremes. She was raised on the moors of Yorkshire at their mystery inspired one of the greatest British novels. Tonight let's look at the life of C...
Pride & Prejudice: Plot Device
There is an unexpected and slightly unbelievable plot device that brings a resolution to all things for Elizabeth and Darcy. Was this intentional or did Austen write herself into a corner? How will we ever know?
Pride & Prejudice: Poetic Justice
Austen lived in a time where moral stories abounded and harsh punishments in literature were popular. Using her wry and clever talent she turns the tables on the moralizers and writes an ending for Lydia & Wickham that has poetic justice bu...
Pride & Prejudice: Social Scorn
All plans and hopes take a nosedive for Elizabeth when her sister Lydia's poor judgment and decision-making skills embroil the family in a ruinous scandal.
Pride & Prejudice: Proposal the Second
Sometimes our timing is bad and sometimes we share too much. Darcy finds himself in this predicament when he reaches a point where he can hide his feelings no longer. Unfortunately, things don't go the way he hopes, but this is not the end. The...
Pride & Prejudice: Irony & Self-Awareness
One of Austen's best skills is writing beautiful prose laced with tender irony. Tonight is pause in the plot while we take a look at what irony is and how Austen is using it in Pride & Prejudice.
Pride & Prejudice: Proposal the First
Tonight we get into the storyline of Pride & Prejudice and look at each character's approach and attitude towards marriage. When those approaches are in conflict with one another some people can find themselves very disappointed.
Pride & Prejudice: A Cast of Characters
Tonight's episode is an overview of the normal, semi-normal, and extra-extra type of people that exist in the Hertfordshire world of Pride & Prejudice.
Jane Austen in Real Life
We're moving on to a new book. Tonight's episode is all about the life and times of the incomparable Jane Austen.
Anne of Green Gables: Symbols, Motifs, & Themes, Oh My!
This is our final episode of Anne of Green Gable. Tonight we'll look at all the sides of symbolism, themes, and recurring images in this bright and cheery novel.
Anne of Green Gables: Kindred Spirits
Tonight's episode introduces some of the main residents of Avonlea whose lives are impacted by the red-headed sprite Anne Shirley.
Anne of Green Gables and the Impact of Opening Lines
Tonight we look back over a history of powerful opening lines in classic books. Then we'll explore what we can learn from the very verbose opening Maud Montgomery writes for Anne of Green Gables.
The Multifaceted L.M. Montgomery
I'm beginning Season 7 with Anne of Green Gables. Tonight's episode gives a little author back story for the very complex, quiet, and famous resident of Prince Edward Island, Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Welcome to God's Spoken World
Tonight's episode begins with a correction from last week. Next, we'll go on to explore the unsteady, shifting ground of human philosophy and the solid rock of absolute truth. What does it mean that our world is spoken from the mouth of God? An...
Frankenstein's Finale: The Authority of an Author
After Victor refuses to make a companion for the monster things spiral out of control. The end of the novel takes us full circle back to Walton on the Arctic Ocean. Hopefully Walton has learned the lessons Frankenstein ignored.*Correctio...
Nature vs Nurture, Perspectives from Great Literature
There are so many sides to the story of Frankenstein. Tonight's episode takes a pause in the middle of Volume III and looks at the possible arguments Mary Shelley could be making for one of the oldest of debates.
Frankenstein's Pathos: Make Me Happy
The looming question of what happened to Frankenstein's monster is answered in Volume 2. Tonight we cover his story and the pitiful request he makes of his creator.
The Deadly Consequences of Frankenstein's Actions
After Victor succeeds in what he has been killing himself to achieve his eyes are opened to the horror of what he's done. But rather than step up, he runs away and tragedy eventually catches up to him.
Is Victor Frankenstein An Unreliable Narrator?
Tonight we'll hear the beginnings of the cautionary tale that Victor Frankenstein shares with Walton. But rather than listening to the words themselves we'll pay attention to what isn't being said. We'll dig beneath the superficial, ro...
The Novel Frankenstein & Pitfalls of Romanticism
The world Frankenstein was born into was fraught with emotional madness. His story is one of intense passion and despair but also full of caution for the man who wants to follow his heart against all sound reason.For ...
The Trials & Tribulations of Mary Shelley
Tonight we cover the context and backstory of one of the most impactful novels of Western Culture. A young woman surrounded by tragedy and pain, poured her sorrow into authoring a fable that spawned a new literary genre and a character recogniz...
An Insufferable Idea
What we read forms our minds. We will become what we behold.For thoughts, opinions, and insights email me at beyondthewallsbookchat@gmail.com
Reading Overview of 2025
Tonight is a brief recap of my reading in 2025. Find me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/betlapointe