Answering YOUR Questions to Celebrate 20,000 Subscribers (Thank You)

📚 Read the Great Books with Hardcore Literature: / about
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🎙️ open.spotify.com/show/70IZA24... (Subscribe to the Hardcore Literature Podcast on iTunes & Spotify)
🏫 hardcore-university.teachable... (Hardcore University, Exam Preparation Courses)
✍🏼 benjaminmcevoy.com My Personal Website
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Hardcore Literature Lecture Series
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📔Contents Page: cutt.ly/CmNhRY3
🎖️ War and Peace: cutt.ly/U3nzGma
🎭 Shakespeare Project: cutt.ly/B3nxHH7
🐳 Moby Dick: cutt.ly/K3nzVKf
☄️ Blood Meridian: cutt.ly/P3nz6Qp
🍂 Wuthering Heights: cutt.ly/N3nxxYt
🇮🇪 Ulysses: cutt.ly/x3nxQmN
🚂 Anna Karenina: cutt.ly/vmNhAWv
💀 Crime and Punishment: cutt.ly/rmNhFt5
⚓ Persuasion: cutt.ly/amNhX7b
☕ In Search of Lost Time: cutt.ly/5mNh8oD
⚔️ The Hero’s Journey: cutt.ly/UmNjrE3
🌸 Siddharta: cutt.ly/YmNjuzi
🎠 Don Quixote: cutt.ly/cmNjoK4
❤️Shakespeare’s Sonnets: cutt.ly/nmNlW7V
🇫🇷 Les Misérables: cutt.ly/J3YixoA
🕯️ The Turn of the Screw: cutt.ly/nToAQQ3
🖋️ Dickens Seasonal Read: cutt.ly/9ToAybt
📖 Middlemarch Serial Reading: tinyurl.com/45rv965c
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0:00 thank you for reading along
0:40 should any books be banned?
8:18 was there a book that made you pursue literature?
10:09 most emotionally impactful book you’ve read?
11:21 do books come in our lives when we most need them?
16:50 is the reader ever objective?
19:08 are you a dog or cat person?
20:15 do you prefer old books or new books?
20:28 your favourite trope in literature?
21:13 best first sentence in a book?
22:30 top ten desert island books?
24:26 books from last 50 years that will become classics?
27:30 would you read a work that critics deprecate?
30:00 do you let the literature speak for itself?
30:45 what book do you reread all the time?
31:20 any books you’ve changed your mind about?
34:12 one particular book that made you love reading?
35:11 thoughts on George Eliot’s novels?
37:50 Oxford World Classics or Penguin Classics?
38:14 how long does it take to create your content?
39:21 what inspired you to start the book club?
41:12 obstacles in putting yourself out on social media?
42:45 has a book ever made you cry?
45:14 thoughts on genre fiction?
46:53 any great books you haven’t finished?
48:00 advice to your teenage self?
52:20 thoughts and tips for Joyce’s Finnegans Wake?
56:30 encouraging life & mental health advice for young adults?
1:01:45 most influential literary characters?
1:03:30 what do you think about setting reading goals?
1:04:45 your advice on rereading books?
1:05:13 has our society degraded?
1:07:34 do you like postmodern novelists? (Pynchon, Foster Wallace)
1:08:43 your thoughts on the lyricism of Nick Drake?
1:11:24 appreciating a lovely comment
1:11:54 how to keep motivated with reading?
1:14:16 what do you think of George Orwell?
1:15:30 what do you think of Marcel Proust?
1:17:05 what do you think is the greatest American classic?
1:17:15 thoughts on Ian McEwan?
1:17:20 favourite books about sport?
1:17:30 favourite works from living writers?
1:17:52 where to start with philosophy?
1:18:20 favourite films, tv series, directors?
1:21:00 three recommended albums?
1:21:58 Jane Austen vs George Eliot?
1:22:22 thoughts on John Williams’ Stoner?
1:22:43 how to apply literary theory to books?
1:23:25 Milan Kundera and J. D. Salinger?
1:24:14 Homer vs Virgil?
1:25:40 thoughts on Harry Potter?
1:26:13 what Shakespeare work do you most love?
1:27:10 do you like any Shakespeare film adaptations?
1:28:00 have you read Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan quartet?
1:29:40 any great writers you believe to be overrated?
1:30:40 who is your favourite playwright?
1:31:00 thoughts on Arthur Miller, Pinter, Mamet?
1:32:42 what other passions do you have?
1:33:38 can you share some of your writing?
1:34:22 how to tackle epic literature?
1:36:10 advice on developing analytical skills?
1:36:40 thoughts on Arabic Literature?
1:37:30 reading Shakespeare with English as second language?
1:39:33 where to start with Greek mythology?
1:40:59 how to use notebooks as alternative to marginalia?
1:44:00 a heartfelt thank you to you all

[@buster9106]

Wasn't it only about a year ago that you were happy with 1,000 subscribers? Now look at you! There are serious readers of literature out there and we're glad to have you, Ben!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

It was indeed! I still vividly remember being incredibly happy with 1,000 :) Thank you for being here for the ride, my friend!

[@exploringwithasmr]

Now he's almost at 90k!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much!! :)@@spicyshizz2850

[@susand9494]

Benjamin- you posted this one year ago to celebrate 20K subscribers, and you are now at 113K subscribers! Congratulations! I love your videos and your enthusiasm for great literature.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you so much, Susan!! I really appreciate that :)

[@michelle88960]

I must admit that I am an avid reader, but have never read the classics. I found you because I put KZbin on as a background noise after my husband passed away three weeks ago, just to help me not feel so alone. Since then I have subscribed and am going through all your videos. For some reason, you were talking about Middlemarch and how much you loved it, so I ordered it. Whether it will help me through this time, I don't know, but anything's better than feeling so lost. You had me at Bob Dylan! Thank you.

[@yahyabinilyas9917]

Hi! ❤️ I hope you are doing better now 🤗

[@michelle88960]

@@yahyabinilyas9917 Thank you 🙏 it’s been hard but it’s just time ❤️

[@teknion00]

I could not have survived emotionally my childhood without books. The little town I grew up in didn't have a public library when I was a child, but we did have a book mobile come every other week. Our limit was 6 books, and I would always check out my limit. My mother would have to literally take the book away from me and shew me out of the house to get me to go run around and play. I'm now 74 and use audio books, but still love my printed books with the clear and large print. Thank you so much for your videos.

[@jonahbabei6883]

Thank you for answering my question, and all the work in recent years Benjamin. It’s a lovely community, and you should be so proud for bringing it all together.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Jonah! Your question inspired me to make Nick Drake the background to my day :) And thank you for your kind words - I really appreciate that! 😊

[@Nona23parsons]

Ha! Regarding re-reading...As a woman, I read Mme Bovary at the University of Michigan (in French, as I majored in languages!)...last year, over 50 years later, I gleaned much more ... I had always thought that Emma was a narcissist who petulantly took her own life in the end...with the changes wrought by society in those 50 years, woman's place in the world has thankfully evolved, and I now see her in a much more benevolent light...Actually, my new awareness was unanticipated and startling. In attempting to establish herself as an independent woman with intelligence and passion, Emma was thwarted at every turn and ultimately she saw no recourse but death ... I am SO glad that I re-read that amazing tale ...Indeed, now I REALLY get it!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Reading Flaubert in the original sounds like the gold standard of French Literary appreciation to me! Along with Proust and Rimbaud (and quite a few others, to be honest), this would be the main reason I would love to learn French. I love your insights from rereading this work! I'm so excited to find out what works I read recently will be like in the decades to come :)

[@Nona23parsons]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy , how nice to receive your reply! I did find also that when reading both the French and English versions, there were subtle nuances that did not translate...as they say, something WAS lost in the translation...🤔🍄😄

[@thomashewlett3166]

This is the youtube book channel I've been looking for. Nuanced, empathetic readings and a warm, engaging conversation about them. Thank you so much for your content.

[@anitas5817]

Well it’s 2 months later and it’s almost 50,000 now. And well deserved! Your channel is going to continue to grow rapidly. You have fantastic, dense, unique, valuable content. So glad I found this channel. Thanks for all your work!

[@Kej.9]

I am watching this video now,seeing it was done 2 months ago. Now there are 50 000 subscribers...Wow...It is, of course, an evidence of your amazing content and wonderful, charming personality. But I also love this idea of how many people out there are into literature and deep reading...I believe you will celebrate 100 thousand subscribers soon ! Good job

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you so much :) It really blows my mind that we now have 50k here - it leapt up quite quickly recently! Like you, I'm so happy that there are so many people who love literature as deeply as us 😊

[@carrollwilliams8861]

Accolades to you Ben. I remember when I attended Mass on Sundays, we picked up copies of the Catholic newsletter. I always looked first at the list of banned books and movies. You couldn't pay for better advertising. It put the stamp of legitmacy on them. In 1966, in a move to modernize the church, Pope Paul VI abolished the list.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

If only my church’s newsletter had printed the list of banned books and movies! I know I would have left Sunday Mass with distinctly the “wrong” intentions.. :)

[@ya_boi_chrish]

You deserve this and many more subscribers. This is an excellent channel.

[@aliasshaheer9868]

Thanks for answering my question about reading Shakespeare as a non-native English speaker. I really appreciate your kind words. Also once again congratulations on 20K subscribers and you deserve more and more. Also you asked about recommendations on Arabic literature. I wanted to recommend you some books on Arabic/Persian Literature. The problem here is that novel writing is not an old thing and it became popular (you certainly know more on this) maybe in 16th-17th century. And where Islamic Golden age was in decline and gone. So we don’t have a very rich novel writing history, but nevertheless we have the best poetry tradition and there are some stories and novels which were very influential in the making of western world: For Novels and Stories: 1- Hayy Ibn Yaqdhan by Ibn Tufayl is the first philosophical Novel in History 2-Theologus Autodidactus by Ibn Nafis is also a philosophical Novel and a response to Ibn Tufayl’s Novel in Novel form. 3- One Thousand and One Nights These are all classics from 12 to 14 century and in modern writers: 4- Ghassan Kanafani’s Men in the Sun 4- Naguib Mahfouz’s Khan Al Khalili and the Cairo Trilogy For Poetry: 1- Shahnama by Firdawsi it is a mixture of eastern mythology with real history of ancient kings of modern day Iran a Epic Poem 2- Gulistan by Saadi which is a mixture of prose and poem with short stories on ethics and advices on how to live. 3- Layli and Majnon by Nezami Ganjawi a love story in poem. 4- Rumi’s Masnavi translation by Javid Mojadedi 5- For Modern poets books of Muhammad Iqbal For other books on Literature, Spirtuality and some of my favorite Books on Intellectual thought of East: 1- The Ring of the Dove by Ibn hazm al andalusi a great book on Love and what it is and how it was practiced by Arabs 2- Al ghazali’s Revival of Religious Sciences which is a voluminous book but you can find it in small books about 200 pages 3- Al Muqaddimah by Ibn Khaldoun 4- Road to Mecca by Muhammad Asad 5- The travels of Ibn Batutta 6- Islam and the Destiney of Man by Gai Eaton 7- Islam between East and West by Alija Izetbegovic (Maybe my favorite book of all time) Sorry for this long comment I really appreciate your work and I have really benefited from your Content. Your content should be a standard for what booktubers should do. PS: If you need anything regarding to these recommendations and if you want to explore more any of these Authors or genera especially in Islamic spirituality which is where I read more, please contact me if you want. And if you read any of them I will be very happy if you do a review of it on KZbin. PSS: I also Emailed you the list sorry in advance.

[@Blondie101010100]

Thanks a million for answering my question about Orwell. Everyone else's questions are so interesting and thanks for taking the time to answer them all. What a superb channel you have, I just love it, and The Hardcore Book Club. Your demeanor, topics, and presentation skills are the reasons that you have such lovely followers. Many congrats on the growth of your channel. 🎉🎉👏

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you so much :) You've made my day! I thoroughly enjoyed this Q&A. The questions were incredible - and so many more I'd like to still answer!

[@RobbinVenema]

Congrats on 20,000 subscribers. I found this channel about a week ago and it has quickly become one of my favourites.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you! 😊 I’m so happy to have you here!

[@michaeljoseph3528]

Ditto

[@rick1rj2rj3rj]

I'm Brazilian and I really like your channel, excellent reviews, an extremely refined taste in choosing books, indications of exquisite works with a kind personality. Thanks for all this.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Obrigado, Ricardo :) I really appreciate that! Thank you for watching from beautiful Brazil 🇧🇷

[@andreaschneider6202]

@Ricardo Valente Greetings from Virginia. I relocated here (after having lived in NY all these years) last month. The nicest neighbor, this far, in my housing development was born in Brazil! Have an excellent weekend🙏

[@rick1rj2rj3rj]

@@andreaschneider6202 Thanks, have a nice weekend you too.

[@andreaschneider6202]

@@rick1rj2rj3rj I have been behind schedule checking for replies so just noticed yours. Many thanks. I think I will commence reading the books on Benjamin's "2023" list. I wonder if you are considering the same goal! Have a wonderful day😊

[@AhmedalHijazi]

For Arabic literature, I recommend reading Corpse Washer by Sinan Antoon. A tragic novel on the affects of Iraq conflicts and wars on an Iraqi person who practices an unusual profession which is washing dead bodies. The protagonist depicted what is like to live in a place where war is constant.

[@joyfacedown]

One of my favorite things about your content is the demystification of classics, I really appreciate that! Today seeing your answers though, I was even more pleasantly surprised by learning you also have read and enjoyed things that sometimes in the literature community are considered lesser, such as mystery and sci-fi books and manga.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

That really means a lot to me! Thank you :) That’s exactly what I’m aiming for with these discussions. I’m fortunate that I truly love all kinds of literature. Sci-fi and fantasy were my entrance to reading generally, and I’m glad more are holding these books in high esteem. I personally think the next “great” work of our time will be in one of these genres :) And manga! I’m hoping to put out a specific video on this at some point soon. I adore the art form, and picked up a heavy manga habit whilst living in Japan 😊

[@24sherbear]

I wish I had found you during lock down. I did find a fascinating book club from Notre Dame and Kylemoore, Ireland and we studied some lit and film around pandemics. Your videos only started showing up for me a couple of days ago but I am binge watching now. Have found so much helpful information. You are helping people.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Well I’m so happy you’ve found my videos recently, Sherrie! I like to think we find these things at the right time for us :) And it sounds like you had a really rewarding program during the pandemic! Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate them 😊

[@adrianasanchez3669]

¡Felicidades desde México! It is no by chance that you have reached 20k. You put your heart on this, and we have the joy of witnessing it. Thank you for your videos and your time :)

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Gracias, Adriana! I really appreciate that :) and thank you for watching over in beautiful Mexico! 🇲🇽

[@Jack-wu3hr]

Some great questions here. I’ve only dipped in and out of your work, Ben, but it was a revelation to me when I found it recently. I’ve always read and feel that it’s kept me alive. I’m 31 now, and after finally getting a degree in literature I’ve learned that I probably didn’t need it in the first place lol. Your passion for Harold Bloom really spoke to me. I’ve had issues with Bloom as a public intellectual, but as a guide to the canon he’s wonderful. Incidentally, on a whim today I decided to pick up Zola’s Germinal, and you’re partly responsible for that, since you’ve encouraged me to read more canonical authors.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

You've expressed what reading means to me in the best possible way, Jack. It keeps me alive too! That's something you and I shared with Bloom. His meditations on reading through dark times, reading through grief, reading to connect with those lost, are some of the most resonant I've ever read from a critic. And how amazing to hear you've picked up Zola's Germinal! I would love to hear what you make of it :)

[@lovelyscarlett2936]

❤️❤️❤️❤️ You deserve lots of success! Love your channel🥰

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much 😊

[@catherinebarwick304]

Wow! This is the absolute best video I've ever watched on KZbin. I've got at least 100 books which I bought whilst at university 42 years ago. I was studying pharmacy (yes, I did get my degree), but I spent all my spare money on classic literature. I am so impressed that the books that I chose as a 18 year old are exactly the books I would choose today. You've inspired me to reread every single one of them- Don Quixote, Middlemarch, Persuasion, Moby Dick, Anna Karenina... I'm eager to find out how 42 years of life with its usual heartache and tragedy and joy will change my perspective on these books. Thank you so much for this video and for all that you do!

[@chrissy1510]

Hi Ben, congratulations on this milestone! I’m still very much the new kid in town, and haven’t had the opportunity to ask questions yet, but I do want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything you are putting out into the universe. Through your guidance and encouragement, readers such as myself are deepening their understanding both of themselves, and the world around them. around Your grandmother would be proud.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Hi Christine :) Thank you very much! That's truly so kind of you to say. I really appreciate having you here watching and reading along with me 😊

[@vanessamay3689]

About animals especially cats. We adopted a male kitten at 22 weeks. He was (he was injured by a moving vehicle). He was the most affectionate loyal cat I have ever had. I have had female cats too and you’re right, they are affectionate. He was smart and gave us so much joy every day. We miss him but have lots of memories. Thanks for your videos as just recently found it but am binging atm. You have such a wealth of literature knowledge so keeps me coming back.

[@fatemaalbalooshi1980]

You’re a blessing to book and literature lovers … thank you 🙏🏻

[@carolbresnahan1244]

Blimey Ben, I had an amazing afternoon listening to all of the questions and answers! That was such a treat and very inspiring. You really deserve all of the plaudits that you receive, you help so many of us with your work. Thank you 🌻

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you, Carol 😊 That's so kind of you, and I'm so happy to have you here reading these great books with me and being a part of the discussion!

[@susprime7018]

"I am born." Good one, thank you.

[@leas4699]

After listening to this ( congratulations btw I’m sure It will soon be 40,000) I was left with such good advice and one is “don’t take yourself too seriously “. Doing just that has prevented me from tackling the more difficult authors. But now I feel ready and I took down many names of all the books I feel interested in. I also like your advice to go over the page you just read (I’ll do it in my mind or maybe speaking it aloud if I can) to help with comprehension. Thank you for sharing your brilliance.

[@Mashulyamurashko]

Since Benjamin answered each of my comments I am really grateful to him and I hope that I will read even more so I will be able to start my own channel, but with Russian Literature 😊

[@tiffanytung2594]

Hello :0) Thank you so much for your advice and kindness. I really cannot put into words how much your words mean to me. I feel very encouraged and I will get my affairs in order. Thank you so much for your continuous inspiration.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you, Tiffany 😊 I believe in you!

[@karenbird6727]

Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels, especially the ending haunts me. What a wonderful discussion that would be.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm so excited to keep reading them. I'd definitely like to have a conversation about them when I'm through!

[@kieranhooton9665]

Thank you for answering my ‘notebook as an alternative to marginalia’ question! Sorry for the poorly worded comment I’m glad you got the gist of what I was asking haha. Thank you once again for helping me out, I am truly grateful. You seriously have had a profound effect on my life. Keep up the amazing work! Oh and when you mentioned how one should not take things seriously and should, instead, give themselves the licence to be frivolous- you managed to capture a massive issue of mine in a sentence and I was blown away by the acknowledgment of it as no one has ever really helped with that issue of mine before yet now I feel like just beginning is the way forth rather than procrastinating over getting it perfect. Thanks once again!

[@ethansadberry6069]

This channel deserves so many more subscribers. But congratulations, as it is clear you’re on an upward trajectory. Hope that my financial situation will improve enough soon and I can participate more and join the book club. Thank you for your videos. I hope to see you at ten fold these subscribers soon. And tenfold of that even subsequently faster

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Ethan 😊 I appreciate that, my friend! We would certainly love to have you reading with us whenever is right for you, but for now I’m grateful that you’re reading with us here! :)

[@DressyCrooner]

Why didn't I see this pop up 2 hours ago???? I await each new video with bated breath. Your 20k subscribers are well-deserved. Thank you so much for inspiring us with your love of literature. I feel like we are kindred spirits - we both love Nietzsche, Thomas Hardy, Dostoevsky - it's insane! If I may quote Shakespeare's Richard III: 'My other self, my council's consistory, My oracle, My prophet!' Please continue producing great content.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, my friend :) That's so lovely of you to say. That really means a lot to me. It certainly does sound like we are kindred spirits. We share the exact same favourite writers! And wonderful quote from a tremendous play :)

[@DressyCrooner]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy And we both love languages - even better!

[@zacretzer]

Thank you for all the hard work Ben! I'm continually amazed by the volume and incredible quality of the content on your KZbin and Patreon.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Zac! I really appreciate that, my friend 😊

[@MarchionessZoe]

Eeeekkk 🎉thank you for answering my question! am yet to add the work of Shakespeare to my reading list. congratulations once again

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you for the great question, Zoe :) I'd love to hear what you make of Shakespeare when you get to him! 😊

[@martinkirsch5969]

Love your channel, thank you.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Martin 😊

[@jukerdanz]

Best 1 hour 45minutes of viewing i’ve done in years! Thank you 🙂

[@thomaslowry7079]

Me too! Almost two hours and it went by in a flash! This video was unbelievably entertaining! The part about serendipity was so moving! The part about the importance of taking care of yourself was also moving as well as life changing!

[@charlesubaldi4566]

Thank you so much for insights and enthusiasm!

[@lindaharrison3240]

I love your accent ❤️ I’m American. Southern California.

[@jeff8835]

Congrats on 20K, i missed the ask questions alert, but the one before that you answered my question, gave me goosebumps man!! Your demeanor and eloquence + passion for literature is what i'd like to emulate somehow in a smaller way. Keep up the good work, you'll hit 100K in no time :)

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Jeff :) That's truly so kind of you to say. I'm so happy to have you here 😊100k seems far off, but I also remember when I was at 1k and 20 seemed far off - so it could happen! :)

[@jeff8835]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy It is such a privilege Sir Ben!!

[@Fiona_987]

Was waiting for this video since its announcement! Thanks :)

[@jonahbabei6883]

Me too Fatma!

[@martinkirsch5969]

Same here

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Fatma! I loved your question. I’m sorry I didn’t address my top five explicitly in this video, but you actually inspired me to put together a video on this topic - a difficult question that will require some consideration on my part :)

[@martinkirsch5969]

I just finished the video. Wonderful questions and wonderful answers! Thanks again. Time to answer my own question, since you asked (books that made me cry): - Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five: the main character is an American who fought in Europe during WWII and witnessed the bombing of Dresden (like Vonnegut himself). At one point he is in a military hospital, his mother visits him and he is heartbroken because he basically lost his will to live and has to face his mother with that in mind. As you said, books about war are emotionally powerful. - Philip K. Dick's Flow My Tears The Policeman Said. At one point a character talks about love and loss, it’s so beautiful. - James Joyce’s The Dead: that ending... wow! - Muriel Rukeyser’s poem The Book Of The Dead: the part about the miners getting ill and the woman who has to fight the mining company because she lost so many relatives… - Sylvia Plath's poems (especially Poem For A Birthday). - Dylan Thomas' poems (especially Clown In The Moon + Love In The Asylum). I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few and there are also songs and films that made me cry.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you for sharing your tearjerkers, Martin. Wow. I feel an overwhelming need to reread Slaughterhouse Five now. Vonnegut really is such a master. I also need to check out Flow My Tears The Policemen Said. I love Philip K. Dick, but I’ve haven’t read this one yet! Beautiful choice with James Joyce. There’s a river of pain flowing through so much of his stuff. Dylan Thomas definitely gets me too. His ‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night’ was one of the first poems that awoke me to what poetry could do. Along with war, the theme of fathers and sons, and losing one’s father, also gets me every time. As for Sylvia Plath... I recently bought a little haul of her works, and read ‘Ariel’ straight through in one day. Love her, but I definitely shouldn’t read her when I’m already feeling melancholy... I see a lot of myself in her works funnily enough.. Tremendous list!

[@nik2860]

24:26 Books from last 50 years that will become classics.. The answer included the following books: 1. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy 2. The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen 3. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison 4. White Noise or Underworld by Don DeLillo 5. Neopolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante (only read the first one yet) 6. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (not sure about this one) 7. Life of Pi by Yann Martel 8. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

This is awesome :) Thanks for doing this, Nik!

[@bjornjensen1309]

I love White Noise!

[@ROXCANADA2023]

Great my friend you deserved it!!!

[@benedict5850]

Your channel is the reason I turned reading into a regular pastime. I am now constantly discovering new classics and authors and it is always a joy to find out that you have produced a video about them. Very enlightening channel. Cheers.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Wow! That's so awesome to hear :) I'm so happy to be able to share your reading adventure with you! Thank you :)

[@vicente3j]

Congrats on 20k! Your channel is a hidden gem, you're reigniting my passion for reading and making a canon. Gonna save this video to my watch later, but leaving a like now cause i know itll be good :)

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Vicente. That's really kind of you to say :) Have a lovely day, my friend, and thank you for watching!

[@diarrhea2_pseudo_moralist]

I am from Bangladesh, and I really adore your enthusiasm and energy about literature

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you watching over in Bangladesh, such a beautiful country with a tremendously rich culture. I would love to be able to visit in the future! 🇧🇩🙏

[@krzysamm7095]

I love these quesrion and answer videos. Thank you for sharing yourswlf with us. We had a German Shepherd growing up named Kilo she was adopted. That dog was the best I remember when I was 6, I wanted to go up into the second part of the back yard and she kept herding me from going up there. Even with me slapping her ( yes I know it was wrong but at 6 our judgement isn't the best. And Mum had a sit down talk afterwards ) Anyway she kept barking and wouldn't let me get past her no matter how much I tried. Dad finally came out to see what was up and he found a large copper head snake exactly where I was going to play. She was the best dog. I must admit though that as a single person who worked 12 hour plus days it was nice to.have cats. They are less care intensive and I didn't feel.as.bad leaving them alone during the day like i.would with a dog.

[@macareuxmoine]

Watching this while you’re deservedly heading to 90.000 🥳🥳🥳 what great proof that quality content still matters! I recently came back to your channel because of some terrible injustice I felt the need to pick up the Count of Monte Cristo 🤓 Thank you for everything and all the best 🙏

[@joannechang9019]

Congratulation:) Really like your channel. It helps me learn English and enjoys listening to you share those wonderful literature. Especially James Joyce's Ulysses, I think I'd like to read it one day:)

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much :) I'm thrilled to hear I can help with your English! And I would love to hear what you think of James Joyce's Ulysses when you come to it :)

[@peterbrown3004]

I simply love this channel---content, mood, atmosphere, the trajectory. from Cervantes to Cormac McCarthy.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Peter! I really appreciate you noticing the trajectory - there’s been some conscious design involved :)

[@peterbrown3004]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy You are most certainly welcome Your channel is one of the. very best about literature on KZbin. By the way, I have a Ph.D in Spanish literature.

[@hendrixman121]

I've definitely grown to enjoy reading introductions *after* I've finished a book and formed my own opinion. Totally agree that an introduction should always be skipped before the first read of a book.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm completely with you on that! Treating the intro like desert is the way to go :)

[@bencrossley4085]

Congratulations on the 20k. Really enjoy your videos. And despite the length of this celebratory Q & A, I really enjoyed it, so wide-ranging and interesting. Your enthusiasm is infectious and therapeutic! Really loved Stoner. Williams has three very different books. (If we put Nothing But the Night (1948) on one side.) Butcher's Crossing I bought simply because I loved Stoner so much, but somehow the subject matter put me off, and I delayed trying it... What a mistake, that was! Or at least a postponed pleasure. Butcher's Crossing was also a fantastic read. Sometime I must take the plunge and tackle Augustus. Any comments anybody??

[@d-5037]

Interesting and thoughtful stuff, thanks!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you 😊

[@Jacobthehuman]

Thank you for the work! This channel is a joy and a pleasure!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, my friend :)

[@TheSalMaris]

Love all these answers and suggestions, but I would add (at least) one more to the classics of the last 50 years and that is the oft overlooked Far Tortuga by Peter Matthiessen. Definitely belongs in this category. Thank you for this and congratulations reaching this subscription level-- you deserve it.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you :) I really appreciate that. And nice recommendation! I've just ordered myself a copy of Far Tortuga and I'm very excited to read it. It looks like a beautiful read, and right up my street. I've always adored sea narratives, so this will be a treat!

[@frankandstern8803]

Keats and P.B. Shelly . Traversing Divinity. Wine of the G-ds.

[@arthurtwoshed]

Fabulous! Just discovered this channel, what a delight! Greetings from the South Island of New Zealand🏝

[@joshuacreboreads]

This is awesome. Love watching your videos, can’t wait to watch this long one.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Joshua 😊

[@carlosbranca8080]

I consider The Secret History by Donna Tartt a modern classic. It's only from 1992 but i love it and it's well regarded by critics and readers alike. How about Don Quijote for great opening lines? : "En un lugar de La Mancha de cuyo nombre no quiero acordarme, vivia un hidalgo de los de lanza en astillero..." Or Garcia Marquez One Hundred Years of Solitude or Chronicle of a Death Foretold, very good opening lines. Great video and congratulations!

[@Eyespy743]

Agree, regarding the book The Secret History it’s imo a modern classic

[@mteresavaldes2251]

Congratulations!

[@cindybrandner3063]

Congratulations on this milestone- I hope the channel just keeps growing as there are so many of us readers out here who love to discuss books but don't have many people in our lives to do so with. Quick question- not a classic, but are you familiar with Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles? They are beautifully written and epic adventure in the tradition of Dumas and I think you might enjoy them. Also, do you think you'll ever do a discussion on Shelley? I'd love to hear your thoughts on him as he is my 'comfort' poet who I turn to in both joy and sorrow.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Cindy 😊 I really appreciate that! This is the main reason why I started putting discussions out. It can be so difficult to get these discussions in our lives, but the internet is marvellous tool when it comes to connecting likeminded people. As for Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles, I can't say I am familiar with them. But you've described them beautifully - I've just ordered her first one to get me started :) And Shelley - ah, yes, absolutely! We have a couple of discussions in the book club - one breaking apart his essay on atheism, and another discussing his 'Ode to the West Wind', but we'll definitely have more in the future. Easily one of my all time favourite poets! I also adore Mary Shelley too. Frankenstein is something of a comfort read to me, despite the painful subject matter!

[@cindybrandner3063]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy I truly hope you will enjoy them- they are the kind of books I only recommend to a few people. I'm going to have to look up the Shelley discussions.

[@rosanna5515]

A million thank yous for the Joseph Campbell and Anthony Burgess references. It is comforting to see light at the end of the seemingly endless tunnel inhabited by those of us who syruggle with, but are endlessly fascinated by James Joyce. I look forward to your thoughts on Noir. Be well and be happy.

[@thomaslowry7079]

I found both the questions and the answers to be extremely moving! They were filled with hope, expectation, understanding, and resolve. Kindness, love, and a sense of community were also present. I actually teared up several times watching this video! Sprinkled throughout, like breadcrumbs guiding the famished to a magnificent feast, were the names of authors and various books I would love to read. I plan to start reading Elena Ferrante's Neopolitan novels this very evening! A question and answer session sounds rather dry. This one was anything but! Thank you so much and congratulations on this milestone! You are helping people and touching hearts everywhere!

[@sharmilanakulan6643]

1.How long do you read in a day and how much page do you cover? 2.how do you keep yourself away from all the distractions?

[@Ozgipsy]

“I read Proust at 13 or 14”….and that’s why I’m here. 👍

[@georgim_]

Really good recommendations, thank you! I can't wait to keep watching your videos. Best wishes 💐

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Gina 😊

[@js.3490]

Hi Ben, thank you for answering my questions. I greatly appreciate it! I look forward to the next Q&A. Lately, I have started to read Shakespeare sonnets for the first time. Starting at sonnet 1 and taking time with them. And Sophocles, reading the Theban plays. Just thought I'd share. Thank you again!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you 😊 I can’t wait for the next one too. I’m tempted to do a part two because there were so many great questions I couldn’t get to this time around. Nice one on embarking on your journey through Shakespeare’s sonnets! And I’ve been enjoying Sophocles myself recently too. Sophocles & Aeschylus make for a good evening 😊

[@js.3490]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy Part 2? Excellent! If you want to do it then no doubt you will have a large viewership. :)

[@nahyanameen7155]

Congratulations! Such a voluble vlog with such great answers and discussions to help us pass exams. Thanks for great content!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Nahyan 😊 And keep up the great work with your exams!

[@nedmerrill5705]

Hi Ben: First, congratulations on 20K subscribers. Next, thanks for getting to my question. Good answer. I have some further information on some of your great comments: On censorship: there is an interesting note on the censorship policies of Tsarist Russia and the publication of Marx's _Capital_ in Orlando Figes' _A People's Tragedy_ (chapter 4 section ii). In 1872, it turns out that although many other books were banned in Russia, _Capital_ was allowed because it was deemed "too complicated" for the masses to understand. When I first read Macbeth as a teenager I didn't understand that the three witches prophecy for Macbeth could be read both as _prediction_ of the witches and as an _injunction_ from the witches to Macbeth to usurp the crown. Your praise of Wilfred Owen brought other WWI-era writers and poets to my mind: first, John McCrae, who wrote _In Flanders Field,_ "To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be yours to hold it high.", and Robert Graves, who wrote _I Claudius._ When you were listing playwrights, I was slightly surprised that you missed your fellow Irish countryman George Bernard Shaw. Finally, if I had another question, I would ask about _nonfiction as literature._ I'm thinking of works like _Plutarch's Lives_ or the books by Barbara Tuchman; _The Guns of August, The Proud Tower_ and others. I've read, and reread these, and I get a lot out of them. I ask this now because I'm currently reading _The Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant,_ and it's a great read. What is the place of nonfiction in the world of literature?

[@bonnieheckman5049]

Benjamin, I am new to your channel and am really enjoying all the videos! I am an avid reader & have been all my life. All your content that I have seen thus far has really inspired me to start picking up this literature, again. I haven't experienced the works since College. I am older and at a different place now. Your ideas on re-reading these classics has certainly given me a new project to pursue. I will be excited to draw some new conclusions & feelings around these masterpieces once I finish them. It is nice to know there is a community of like-minded individuals out there on the "air waves". Thank you, Bonnie.

[@samathareddy8833]

Love this video 🤗 very glad I came across your channel

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much! I'm so happy you're here 😊

[@annamattos8627]

What a lovely video! ❤

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Anna :)

[@carolinabho]

Hello Benjamin! I just discovered your channel and I already love it💕 many of the opinions you express resonate very strongly with me and I have thought quite a bit about certain ideas you put into your videos. Also, it's wonderful to see your views on books that I've already read and have marked me like you. I thank you for the work you do💞

[@mkf628]

Inspiring insightful vid mate cheers

[@brianseay8242]

Benjamin, great channel you have; I've been watching it for quite a while now. One thing that I'd love to do but always tend to not do is keep a notebook by me and take notes of my thoughts and as a writer take the book apart and look it at with a more critical eye. I tell myself I'd do that and then I don't, whether it be a book that I'm re-reading or a book I'm re-reading for the first time (if I read a book for the 1st time I don't write down my stray thoughts, plot predictions, etc which I SHOULD DO!). I'd love to copy-work books and short stories (maybe start slow and copy-work a page of the same short story each day or every other day -- what do you think?) and I want to do it but again, I never do it. When you copy work do you copy-work books/short stories that you're familiar with or do you sometimes copy-work a work that you're reading for the very first time? I want to grow both as a reader and a writer and I feel that keeping a notebook by side (I can't write in a book unless it's a reference book or something) or doing copy-work will accomplish that. Do you notice any difference in your writing with copy-work, writing in a notebook and/or doing marginalia?

[@1siddynickhead]

Congratulations Ben! 🎈🎈🎈🥳 You should be incredibly proud of what you've created here..so glad the subbie numbers are reflecting the quality of the content you're putting out although imho it should be in the hundred thousands

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much 😊 I really appreciate you being part of this little journey :)

[@julielynn86]

Congratulations! Your channel rocks! 😊

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Julie! :)

[@julielynn86]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy You're welcome and thank you for this channel! 😊

[@jbwhitebirch6620]

I'm a new subscriber. Thanks so much for reminding me why I studied literature, much to the amusement of everyone who knew me. It's made me who I am and I have raised lovers of lit as well. Will I have the same influence on my grandchildren as your Gran had on you? I can only hope, as I am in serious competition with TikTok right now. Please keep doing what you're doing! I noticed that a month ago you were celebrating 20k and it looks like you've increased by half already!! Congrats:)).

[@thehendo5824]

Great video! Congrats on the big 20K! If you’re ever in Edinburgh I highly recommend visiting the bookshop Topping & Company booksellers. Incredible selection and shelves that seem mountainous. Once again, congrats, and thank you for being the reason I fully returned to reading and revivified my personal pursuit for knowledge!

[@baronessbooks9909]

Ben you are helping us right now and I’m going to take my grandson to used books stores this summer and get him some Shakespeare comedies. Thank you

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

That's so amazing to hear :) What a fantastic reading adventure!

[@Nona23parsons]

I join the chorus of well-wishers to congratulate you on your accomplishment! Félicitations, monsieur! Your words inspire and delight me,!

[@joanndavis1450]

So glad you won your 20K cuz this is a fun lecture. Thank you.

[@joanndavis1450]

Wonderful that you say “don’t read the intro”.

[@Faye_L]

I just found your channel yesterday, and I just wanted to say THANK YOU for talking so passionately about deep literature. The readers I know (even online) tend to think I'm weird, a snob, or even a liar for saying I genuinely enjoy "difficult books," and there are times when I start to believe them. You've reminded me why I love what I love, and why immersing myself in great literature is what I want to do with my life. Also, just to let you know, I'm going to cite your latest video in a university essay I'm writing. Your comment that we can't write satire anymore because we're LIVING a satire came at the perfect time for my "How is Candide still relevant to today's world?" essay, so thank you for that as well!

[@whitney3114]

Hi Ben your content is such a great help and inspiration to me as I'm starting college soon and will be doing English as a module because watching your videos has taught me to do what I love You mentioned about first lines and openings and ending lines that you journal them I think. I'd love to know more about that it seems so interesting I'd love to start something like that

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Hi Whitney :) Thank you so much! That makes me so happy to hear. Follow your heart! 😊 I’m actually aiming to talk about my file of first and last lines in an upcoming video. I also like to “collect” narrative devices. Like, if I notice a cinematic passage in Dickens, I’ll copy it out and write around it. If I notice Virgina Woolf pause time, I’ll write around how she does that. We’ll definitely talk about this more, as I’ve found it to be a really rewarding practice :)

[@janethamilton7583]

Inexplicably beautiful! Thank you!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Janet :)

[@mollipopification]

thank you so much for this channel! i love listening to your insights.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Molly :)

[@myratogonon]

Thank you very much, Benjamin! I learned a lot from this vlog (and all your vlogs)! Congrats on the 20k!!!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Myra :) I really appreciate that, and am so happy to have you here!

[@abhiroopdas3232]

Congrats!! Found your channel recently and I adore it. As someone who started their deep dive into literature with Harold Bloom as well your thoughts, picks and insights are very smooth to go through and enjoy. Btw, have you ever talked about Dante's Divine Comedy on your channel or podcast? It's one of my favourite narrative poems along with Paradise Lost, would love to see you covering it.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you very much :) I'm so happy to have you here, and it's amazing to hear you started your deep dive with Bloom. I would have loved to have had a conversation with the man before he passed, but luckily we have his books. As for Dante, I've mentioned his work in passing, but I'm currently planning some dedicated content for the not-too-distant future. We'll definitely dive into it together!

[@abhiroopdas3232]

​@@BenjaminMcEvoy That's great to know, I am hyped. Also, since ik you respect the works of James Joyce a lot, here's three books/writers I suggest you give a try. They ooze with creative thought and writing... 1. Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco. Speculative fiction that is, in my opinion, the anti-thesis to the writings of Dan Brown. A tale of conspiracy and chaos. The worldplay and allusions are fun as is, but. But the dense and knowledgable writing is actually useful to the story, and teach us a lot along the way. 2. Midnight Children by Salman Rushdie. I assume you have heard of this book, if not read it already. It is one of my most exciting and warm reading experiences, and also one of the most important ones. Brilliant potrayal of the journey of India and the journey of a family through magical realism. 3. Jerusalem by Alan Moore. I am putting this at the end because it needs the most _homework_ ... An ambitious novel written to 'end this world', it is the culmination of the hermetic ideology and genius of Alan Moore, written in mind boggling styles of prose (with an entire chapter about Joyce's daughter told as a pastiche to Joyce's style). Reading his graphic novels before this is the best way to get a hang of what's to come, but if you are running short on time, reading all 32 chapters of Promethea is enough. Great introduction to Moore's philosophy. Oh and yeah great to know you are familiar with mangas as well.

[@marthaemurcia1265]

Thanks so much for your channel. I’m new in it and already love it ❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

You're so welcome! Thank you so much for being here and for your kind words 🙏❤️

[@24sherbear]

I love Groundhog Day! haha. I agree with your thoughts.

[@thomaslowry7079]

That movie is so awesome!

[@olgaotherstories8355]

Thank you Benjamin so much for such thorough answer on my question or rather two. I appreciate your sincere dedication to what you do and in fact even your channel came into my life when I needed it , just like books come my way, because they have smth to tell me. It's therapeutic listening to you. I like to see people with passion for life's little miracles, reading books is one of those things....

[@thomaslowry7079]

Olga, I want you to know that I especially enjoyed your questions! Benjamin's answers to your questions were full of insight and kindness. Benjamin is such a good listener and this quality is reflected in his answers. Objectivity vs Subjectivity is such a rewarding topic! My own life has been full of moments when the perfect book seemed to pop just when I needed it!

[@robinholbrook6576]

Yes! I enjoyed your questions, too! Very thoughtful! Are you in his book club? How does one get in? I’m new here and trying to find my way.

[@olgaotherstories8355]

@@robinholbrook6576 Hi Robin! Thank you. No, I'm not in his club. But I'm considering 🙂

[@robinholbrook6576]

@@olgaotherstories8355 I found the info! It’s above the info on the right! A new study year starts after the 1st. We’re just in time! I don’t know the syllabus but you can look at this year’s and get an idea! A lot of reading but well worth it! Better than the mysteries I read! Lol I toss in a few classics each year, too. But my reading diet has become pretty lean. I’m reading Joyce’s PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN RIGHT NOW. I’ve tried reading ULYSSES 5-6 times and it makes no sense to me. I read an article that suggested “working one’s way up” to it by reading lighter Joyce world first starting with DUBLINERS then PORTRAIT. and so I am. I’m ashamed to admit that at 76 I have never read MOBY DICK either! Sigh

[@olgaotherstories8355]

@@robinholbrook6576 Thank you so much. Don't worry, I'm even afraid to look at Joyce's direction though I have all his books on my bookshelf....Waaaaaating for me! I hear you!! But still you r reading A Portrait..., to my defence I'm reading Karamazov's Brothers and it's just the best gift, I'm literally living it. I think it's about the timing. I think Ulysses has to wait. It's not the time yet. Thank you for sharing your reading dilemmas and experiences. You r not alone.🙂

[@victordevonshire807]

Daphne duMaurier so underated. Great writer.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I adore her! Definitely underrated and I'd love for more people to read her :)

[@celiakabat5591]

Gracias por ser tan bondadoso!!!

[@oldmovieman7550]

Really enjoying the content on your channel and highly considering joining the book club next year. In terms of censorship, I would suggest that everyone believes in censorship to one extent or another.

[@severianthefool7233]

Thank you very much for what you do. I started listening to Hardcore Literature a few months back and just realized that you had a KZbin channel. It’s so refreshing. Your earnestness and passion are truly appreciated. Have you ever read any John Crowley? Little, Big might be right up your alley.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, my friend. That's very kind of you, and I appreciate you listening to the show :) I have indeed read Crowley's Little, Big - a really special story!

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

Ran and Groundhog Day are two favourites for me too 🙌

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Masterpieces! :)

[@syedmazher4162]

Ben , you are a good teacher . I am following you . You are a trail blazer

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you, Syed. That's very kind of you! I appreciate you being here :)

[@lailja21]

First timer here... Listening to you is like immersing myself into a classic plus more. Thank you.