The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Episode 105: Wrists Be Damned: or, How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Big Books
May 1, 2025
Chris Via, creator of Leaf by Leaf known for long-form video guides to big books, joins to talk about what makes a book feel enormous. They discuss strategies for tackling doorstoppers, the thrill of rare book hunts, and why some lengthy works demand living in them. Expect talk of translations, immersive reading habits, and the books that stretch readers' attention.
02:00:51
Read Big Books To Live In Them Not To Finish Them
- Don't treat big books as checkboxes to finish; aim to live in them and wrestle with their ideas over time.
- Chris suggests sustained engagement rather than speed-reading so the work's complexities continue to unfold after the last page.
Small Outreach Led To Publishing And Collaborative Opportunities
- Chris shared how Leaf by Leaf opened doors: publishing essays, writing an afterword, and securing Michael Silverblatt material.
- Small outreach (asking Stephen Moore) led to connections that produced Conversations with Michael Silverblatt and other collaborations.
A Childhood Spine Sparked A Lifelong Big Book Obsession
- Chris remembers a childhood visit where Shogun's big spine in his grandmother's Blue Room beckoned him and symbolized the 'forbidden' big book.
- That visual memory (samurai sword spine) helped form a lifelong attraction to imposing books on shelves.
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Intro
00:00 • 6min
Chris Via and Leaf by Leaf Introduced
06:01 • 3min
How Chris Makes Reading Accessible
09:29 • 6min
Recent Reads and Projects
15:54 • 3min
Immersive Reading: Vollmann's Seven Dreams
19:01 • 2min
Tackling Dense European Fiction
20:47 • 3min
What Counts as a 'Big Book'?
24:05 • 13min
Defining Big Books by Lived Time
36:49 • 5min
Why Readers Seek Challenge
42:04 • 5min
Childhood Steps Toward Big Books
47:24 • 6min
The Thrill of the Book Hunt
53:53 • 4min
Listener Giveaway and Audience Games
58:18 • 8min
Guest Picks: Michael Brodsky's Inviticum
01:06:38 • 4min
Preparing for Daunting Reads
01:11:05 • 10min
Paul's Pick: 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster
01:21:16 • 6min
Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man
01:26:47 • 8min
William H. Gass's The Tunnel
01:34:20 • 7min
Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy
01:41:02 • 4min
Konstantin Paustovsky's Memoir
01:44:55 • 4min
The Tale of Genji's Sensory World
01:48:40 • 6min
A Little Life and Difficult Reading
01:54:48 • 3min
Stone Upon Stone and New Releases
01:57:59 • 2min
Outro
01:59:40 • 50sec
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Faust, part one
Der Tragödie erster Teil
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Faust: Eine Tragödie erzählt die Geschichte des Gelehrten Heinrich Faust, der trotz seiner umfangreichen akademischen Kenntnisse mit seiner Lebenssituation unzufrieden ist und nach tieferem Sinn sucht.
In seiner Verzweiflung schließt er einen Pakt mit dem Teufel Mephistopheles: Wenn es dem Teufel gelingt, Faust von seiner Unzufriedenheit zu befreien und ihm stetige Abwechslung zu verschaffen, soll Faust ihm seine Seele überlassen.
Das Werk erkundet Themen wie Ambition, die Suche nach Wissen und die Spannung zwischen Gut und Böse, während Faust durch eine Liebesaffäre mit der jungen Margarete (Gretchen) letztlich Zerstörung und Tragödie herbeiführt.
#99484
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage
Mel Robbins
The 5 Second Rule is a self-help book by Mel Robbins that teaches readers to take control of their lives using a simple technique.
This easy to learn method helps you to overcome self-doubt and build courage in your everyday life.
It provides tools for improving your productivity, communication, relationships, and overall well-being.
The 5 Second Rule empowers you to break bad habits, eliminate procrastination, and achieve your goals by acting decisively in just five seconds.
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Inviticum
Michael Brodsky
Michael Brodsky's 'Inviticum' is a recent, extensive novel characterized by linguistic inventiveness and dense, acrobatic prose that rewards close attention.
The book interweaves metafictional play, erudite references, and narrative surprises across a very large page count.
Readers describe encountering rich, compacted ideas and a sense of witnessing writing in the act, making it both challenging and exhilarating.
Its ambition places it among contemporary experimental doorstoppers, prompting re-evaluation of narrative possibility.
Critics and dedicated readers praise its cognitive energy, though its difficulty limits broad readership.
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Leaf by Leaf
Chris Via
Leaf by Leaf is Chris Via's long-form video project that breaks large, challenging literary works into approachable segments to accompany readers through the book.
The channel combines careful analysis, reading encouragement, and practical signposts so viewers can read alongside the creator.
Its format often includes reading schedules, discussion of translations, and annotation glimpses to demystify 'doorstopper' novels.
Listeners credit it with helping them complete intimidating works by turning them into manageable journeys.
While not a printed book, Leaf by Leaf functions as a sustained guide for committed readers.
#
Stone upon stone
Wiesław Myśliwski
Wiesław Myśliwski's 'Stone Upon Stone' is a major Polish novel that examines a rural community's memory, social change, and the protagonist's obsession with building a burial mound.
The narrative blends anecdote, philosophical reflection, and regional history, employing long, reflective passages that evoke both place and moral continuity.
The book's episodic recollections and colloquial voice create a strong sense of communal life and the weight of tradition.
Its translation into English by Bill Johnston and publication by Archipelago Books has brought wider attention to Myśliwski's achievement.
Readers often celebrate its emotional resonance and formal mastery across a substantial page count.
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Needle's Eye
Wiesław Myśliwski
Wiesław Myśliwski's 'Needle's Eye' continues the author's interest in rural life, memory, and the enduring questions of human existence, delivered in his characteristic blend of anecdote and reflection.
Though shorter than some of his epics, the novel retains thematic depth and a strong sense of place, engaging with generational change and personal reckoning.
The English translation makes Myśliwski's voice accessible to new audiences, sustaining his reputation as a major figure in contemporary Polish literature.
Readers familiar with 'Stone Upon Stone' will find resonant concerns and formal affinities in this work.
Its publication has been welcomed as part of Archipelago's commitment to major international voices.
#3515
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
A Little Life
Oliver Wyman
Hanya Yanagihara
This novel follows the lives of four friends—Willem, an aspiring actor; JB, a painter; Malcolm, an architect; and Jude, a brilliant and enigmatic litigator—after they graduate from a small Massachusetts college and move to New York.
Over the decades, their relationships deepen and darken, influenced by addiction, success, and the profound impact of Jude's unspeakable childhood trauma.
The book is a vivid, hyperreal portrait of human existence, exploring themes of male friendship, race, sexuality, and love in the twenty-first century.
#93
• Mentioned in 189 episodes
The Brothers Karamazov
Larissa Volokhonsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Richard Pevear
Set in 19th-century Russia, 'The Brothers Karamazov' is a novel that delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on the three brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and their complex relationships with their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov.
The novel is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry, faith, doubt, and reason.
It examines the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty.
The story revolves around the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich and the subsequent trial of Dmitri, accused of the crime, while exploring deeper themes of Russian life, social and spiritual striving, and the clash between faith and reason.
#31447
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Story of Her Life
Autobiography
St Teresa of Avila
In "The Story of Her Life," St. Teresa of Avila recounts her spiritual journey with remarkable honesty and humor.
She details her early life, struggles with worldly desires, and eventual profound conversion.
The book offers insights into her mystical experiences, using relatable analogies to explain complex spiritual concepts.
It's a testament to her unwavering faith and dedication to prayer, inspiring readers to deepen their own relationship with God. Her candid portrayal of her imperfections makes her a relatable figure for those struggling with spiritual dryness or doubt.
#19870
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Tunnel
Bernhard Kellerman
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Miss Macintosh, My Darling
Margaret Millar
#35093
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Sword of Shannara
Terry Brooks
Terry Brooks' 'Sword of Shannara' is the first book in the Shannara series, set in a post-apocalyptic world where magic has re-emerged.
The story follows Shea Ohmsford, a young man who discovers he is the last descendant of the ancient Elven kings.
He must embark on a perilous quest to find the Sword of Shannara, the only weapon capable of defeating the evil Warlock Lord, Brona.
Along his journey, Shea is aided by a wise druid and a band of loyal companions, facing numerous dangers and challenges.
The novel blends elements of high fantasy with themes of good versus evil, courage, and self-discovery.
It establishes the rich world of Shannara and sets the stage for subsequent books in the series.
#8790
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
2666
Roberto Bolaño
2666 is a sprawling novel composed in the last years of Roberto Bolaño's life.
It revolves around the unsolved murders of hundreds of young women in Santa Teresa, a fictional city based on Ciudad Juárez.
The novel is divided into five sections, each focusing on different characters and locations, including academics, convicts, an American sportswriter, and an elusive German novelist.
The book delves into themes of violence, death, mental illness, journalism, and the breakdown of relationships and careers.
Bolaño's writing style shifts and weaves through various voices, evoking a range of emotions and confronting the reader with the harsh realities of life.
#3463
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
The Tale of Genji
Murasaki Shikibu
Written in the 11th century, 'The Tale of Genji' is a comprehensive narrative that explores the life of Prince Genji, the 'Shining Prince', against the backdrop of Japan's Heian period.
The novel delves into Genji's numerous romantic entanglements, personal struggles, and the societal expectations he faces.
It is a rich tapestry of themes including love, fleeting beauty, and the complexities of relationships defined by honor, desire, and tragedy.
The story also provides a detailed insight into the culture of the aristocracy in early Heian Japan, including its forms of entertainment, daily life, and moral code.
The novel is known for its poetic and aesthetic elements, incorporating over 800 waka poems, and its exploration of human emotions and the transience of life.
#178
• Mentioned in 127 episodes
Ulysses
James Joyce
Ulysses is a groundbreaking and complex modernist novel that chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners over a single day.
The novel is loosely based on Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey', with Leopold Bloom paralleling Odysseus, Stephen Dedalus paralleling Telemachus, and Molly Bloom paralleling Penelope.
It explores themes such as antisemitism, human sexuality, British rule in Ireland, Catholicism, and Irish nationalism.
The novel is known for its innovative use of language and narrative techniques, including stream-of-consciousness and multiple literary styles.
It captures the essence of early 20th-century Dublin, providing a detailed snapshot of the city's social, political, and cultural landscape.
#100446
The Recognitions
William Gaddis
#71
• Mentioned in 223 episodes
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys.
The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis.
It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth.
The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements.
#924
• Mentioned in 41 episodes
Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison
In 'Invisible Man,' Ralph Ellison tells the story of a nameless black protagonist who navigates the surreal and often hostile world of 20th-century America.
The novel begins with the narrator living in an underground room, reflecting on his life and the various ways he has experienced social invisibility.
He recounts his journey from a small Southern town to Harlem, involving experiences with racism, a brutal 'battle royal,' and his involvement with the Brotherhood, a civil rights group.
The narrative delves into themes of identity, power, and the struggle for self-definition in a society that refuses to see him.
Through his experiences, the narrator grapples with the complexities of being a black man in America, ultimately leading to a profound exploration of invisibility and the search for one's true self.
#8016
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Swann's Way
Marcel Proust
Swann's Way is the first part of Marcel Proust's seven-volume masterpiece, 'In Search of Lost Time'.
It introduces the narrator's childhood memories and his fascination with the life of Charles Swann, a family friend.
The novel delves into the complexities of love and jealousy through Swann's relationship with Odette de Crécy, while also exploring the narrator's own experiences and reflections on art and society.
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The Aesthetics of Resistance
Peter Weiss
#1469
• Mentioned in 29 episodes
Shogun
James Clavell
Shōgun is a historical novel that chronicles the end of Japan's Azuchi-Momoyama period and the dawn of the Edo period.
The story centers around John Blackthorne, an English navigator who becomes shipwrecked in Japan and becomes embroiled in the complex political dynamics of the region.
Blackthorne must navigate a foreign culture, learn the language, and adapt to the customs of feudal Japan, all while being caught in the midst of a power struggle between powerful daimyōs, particularly Toranaga and Ishido.
The novel explores themes of cultural clash, adaptation, political intrigue, and personal transformation, providing a vivid portrayal of the collision between Eastern and Western cultures.
#
The Ice-Shirt
William T. Vollmann
The Ice-Shirt is William Vollmann's epic opening to the Seven Dreams sequence, dramatizing Norse exploration and encounters in North America through a blend of myth, history, and imaginative reconstruction.
Vollmann employs multiple narrative strategies—documentary, lyrical, and dramatic—to evoke cultural collisions and spiritual dislocation.
The book emphasizes the strangeness of contact across cultures, reworking sagas and archival material into a modern literary epic.
Its dense research and stylistic range establish the project's ambitious aims to chronicle contested histories of North America.
The volume is often praised for its immersive scope and moral intensity.
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The dying grass
William T. Vollmann
The Dying Grass is William Vollmann's extensive historical novel about the Nez Perce War of 1877, depicting the flight of Chief Joseph and his people across the American West.
Vollmann combines meticulous archival research with imaginative reconstruction to explore themes of imperial violence, survival, and cultural dissolution.
The narrative examines both indigenous experience and settler military pursuit, interrogating the myths and realities of American westward expansion.
Vollmann's prose alternates between documentary rigor and lyrical invention, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable historical truths.
The book is notable for its moral seriousness and exhaustive scale.
#344
• Mentioned in 82 episodes
Middlemarch
George Eliot
Middlemarch, written by George Eliot, is a novel that delves into the complexities of provincial life in 19th-century England.
The story revolves around the intersecting lives of its characters, particularly Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, as they navigate marriage, vocation, and social class.
Eliot critiques the conventional romance narratives of her time by portraying marriage as a complex and often problematic institution.
The novel also explores themes of idealism, self-interest, hypocrisy, and the constraints on women's lives.
Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch between 1829 and 1832, the novel incorporates historical events such as the Great Reform Act of 1832 and early developments in medicine.
Eliot's realistic portrayal of ordinary human life, with its quiet tragedies and small triumphs, has made 'Middlemarch' a masterpiece of English literature.
In this episode, Trevor and Paul are joined by Chris Via of Leaf by Leaf to celebrate the experience of reading big books. From the books that once intimidated us to the ones we now can't imagine our overburdened shelves without, we dive into what makes a book feel "big." Along the way, we share personal stories, favorite strategies for tackling doorstoppers, the books that stretched us as readers, and reflect on why some big books stay with us for life. Whether you're a lifelong lover of big books or someone who's still building up your wrist strength, this is an episode for you.
We’d love to hear from you, too—what are your favorite big books? Which ones are still looming on your to-be-read pile, daring you to pick them up? Let us know!
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An easy place to respond to our question above is over on Discord!
We’re creating a welcoming space for thoughtful, engaging discussions about great novellas—and other books things. Whether you want to share insights, ask questions, or simply follow along, we’d love to have you.
Shownotes
Books
* War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, translated by Anthony Briggs
* 2666, by Roberto Bolaño, translated by Natasha Wimmer
* The Guermantes Way, by Marcel Proust
* FEM, by Magda Carneci, translated by Sean Cotter
* Blinding, by Mircea Cărtărescu, translated by Sean Cotter
* Solenoid, by Mircea Cărtărescu, translated by Sean Cotter
* Novel Explosives, by Jim Gauer
* Bookwork: Conversations with Michael Silverblatt
* The Recognitions, by William Gaddis
* The Dying Grass: A Novel of the New Perce War, by William T. Vollmann
* Faust, Part One: A New Translation with Illustrations, by Johann Wolfgang van Goethe, translated by Zsuzsanna Ozsváth and Frederick Turner
* Invidicum, by Michael Brodsky
* The Ice-Shirt, by William T. Vollmann
* The Aesthetics of Resistance, by Peter Weiss, translated by Joachim Neugroschel
* Middlemarch, by George Eliot
* Great Granny Webster, by Caroline Blackwood
* Pilgrimage, by Dorothy Richardson
* Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry
* Moby Dick, by Herman Melville
* Train Dreams, by Denis Johnson
* Magpie Murders, by Anthony Horowitz
* Nausea, by Jean-Paul Sartre, translated by Richard Howard
* Schattenfroh, by Micheal Lentz, translated by Max Lawton
* The Sword of Shannara, by Terry Brooks
* The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky, translated by Andrew R. MacAndrew
* It, by Stephen King
* The Stand, by Stephen King
* Shogun, by James Clavell
* Tom’s Crossing, by Mark Z. Danielewski
* Women and Men, by Joseph McElroy
* Swann’s Way, by Marcel Proust
* Lies and Sorcery, by Elsa Morante, translated by Jenny McPhee
* Miss MacIntosh, My Darling, by Marguerite Young
* The Blue Room, by Hanne Ørstavik, translated by Deborah Dawkin
* Against the Day, by Thomas Pynchon
* Ulysses, by James Joyce
* 4 3 2 1, by Paul Auster
* Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison
* Shadow Ticket, by Thomas Pynchon
* The Tunnel, by William H. Gass
* A Suitable Boy, by Vikram Seth
* The Golden Gate, by Vikram Seth
* The Story of a Life, by Konstantin Paustovsky, translated by Doug Smith
* The Tale of Genji, by Murasaki Shikibu, translated by Royall Tylor
* A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara
* The People in the Trees, by Hanya Yanagihara
* Stone Upon Stone, by Wiesław Myśliwski, translated by Bill Johnston
* Needle’s Eye, by Wiesław Myśliwski, translated by Bill Johnston
Other
* Episode 1: Bucket List Books
* Episode 99: Books We Think About All the Time, with Elisa Gabbert
* The Untranslated: Schattenfroh by Michael Lentz
The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!
A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you'd like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out!
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