Very much enjoyed the podcast on The Great Gatsby! It's a book I've been obsessed with since aged 17 (I even went to that 8 hour play reading that was in the West End a few years ago...) and it was enjoyable to hear so many fresh insights into it.
One tiny thing that I 'discovered' a few years ago, when researching Coleridge - from Dejection: An Ode...
Though I should gaze for ever
On that green light that lingers in the west
As a huge fan of the Romantic poets, Fitzgerald surely knew this poem (he was obviously more of a Keats man, but still) - but never seen that pointed out anywhere? Finally, I think the one of the greatest essays in literary criticism is Tony Tanner's astonishing reading of Gatsby, which was reproduced as the intro to the Penguin Classics edition. As well as showing just how important the editor was to the book (and perhaps why his other novels weren't anywhere near as good), it really backs up the idea of Gatsby as being a bit of a nothing - it's all about Nick's take on this figure.
Looking forward to Mariner - I loved this book on it, from a Christian perspective. Guite would make a great guest.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mariner-Voyage-Samuel-Taylor-Coleridge/dp/1473611059
genius point about STC's dejection ode, John! have never thought of that but I love it. And also I don't know Tanner's essay on Gatsby but that sounds really crucial, the insight about the editor, so interesting. Tanner is a great critic, sort of overlooked now but his writing is often amazing...
love that observation re: Coleridge. We are gearing up for a Rime of Ancient Mariner episode before too long as we are big Coleridge fans over here at SLOB HQ.