The Exploding Library

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Comedy

A trio of comedians explode and unravel their most cherished cult books.

A trio of comedians explode and unravel their most cherished cult books, paying homage to the tone and style of the original text, but blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

In this series, a trio of comedians explode and unravel their most cherished cult books, paying homage to the tone and style of the original text - and blurring and warping the lines between fact and fiction.

As our hosts shine the spotlight on strange, funny and sometimes disturbing novels, listeners are invited to inhabit their eccentric worlds - gaining a deeper understanding of their workings and the unique literary minds that created them.

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Exploding Library: Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace

Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace

BBC Radio 4 - The Exploding Library, Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace

Writer and comedian John-Luke Roberts enters the labyrinthine world of Infinite Jest.

Writer, comedian and crumpled surrealist John-Luke Roberts unravels the labyrinthine world of Infinite Jest - and that of its brilliant, troubled author David Foster Wallace.

PLEASE NOTE ENDNOTES TO THIS PROGRAMME ARE AVAILABLE ON THE PROGRAMME WEBSITE (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011s0t/clips)

Writer, comedian and crumpled surrealist John-Luke Roberts unravels the labyrinthine satirical world of Infinite Jest - and that of its brilliant, troubled author David Foster Wallace. With contributions from Adam Kelly, Clare Hayes-Brady, David Hering and Marshall Boswell; plus a Zoom panel of Infinite Jest devotees. Music by Philip Glass, Neutral Milk Hotel and The Late Author.

Reader: Hunter Johns
Endnotes: Beth Eyre
Presenter: John-Luke Roberts
Producer: Steven Rajam
An Overcoat Media production for BBC Radio 4


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Warped literature series The Exploding Library returns for a new run, as another trio of comedians explode and unravel their most cherished cult books, paying homage to the tone and style of the original text - and blurring and warping the lines between fact and fiction.

As our hosts shine the spotlight on strange, funny and sometimes disturbing novels by Kazuo Ishiguro, Rosemary Tonks and David Foster Wallace, listeners are invited to inhabit their eccentric worlds - gaining a deeper understanding of their workings and the unique literary minds that created them.

Featuring the comedic voices of Natasha Hodgson, Athena Kugblenu and John-Luke Roberts, and created by award-winning producers Steven Rajam (Tim Key and Gogol’s Overcoat) and Benjamin Partridge (Beef and Dairy Network), this is an arts documentary series like no other.

Series Producer: Steven Rajam
An Overcoat Media production for BBC Radio 4

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Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace

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