@backlisted.bsky.social
Giving new life to old books every fortnight. Bookshop.org Indie Champion. Find us: backlisted.fm, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Support us: patreon.com/backlisted.
You might like this!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNsK...
Still listening to this- it’s excellent!- but it reminded me that when we did the Gawain & the Green Knight episode in 2024, I meant to recommend Murdoch’s novel THE GREEN KNIGHT as a fantastic adaptation / response. Check it out @backlisted.bsky.social friends!
29.01.2026 17:37 — 👍 14 🔁 3 💬 3 📌 0In his European concerts last year, Springsteen condemned Trump and the Republicans from the stage on multiple occasions. I am reliably informed that security around those shows was very tight. So this isn’t hot air. What he is doing is demonstrably courageous, whatever your opinion of the song.
29.01.2026 07:26 — 👍 40 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0When I interviewed Steve Van Zandt a few years ago, he memorably said the only way to defeat Trump and his henchmen would be for “the tough good guys” to make a stand. I put it to you that Springsteen is doing that right now. 🫡
29.01.2026 07:21 — 👍 90 🔁 18 💬 2 📌 0imagine being so rotted that Bruce Springsteen writes a brand new song about how much you suck shit and announces it by saying “by the way I’m so fucking mad that I banged this out in 24 hours”
how are you still up and walking around after being slammed like that
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Oh go on then, we are in an expansive mood.
28.01.2026 10:58 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Little repost of my podcast with @benpester.bsky.social. Loved The Expansion Project. One for @backlisted.bsky.social fans I reckon!
28.01.2026 10:51 — 👍 6 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0
Her first book is pretty damn wonderful, an opinion backed up by @backlisted.bsky.social
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/27-...
So excited for the @backlisted.bsky.social episode on Iris Murdoch! I was OBSESSED with her when I was a grad student, and for years I refused to read the one last novel of hers on my list because I didn’t want to live in a world where there was no more Iris for me to read!! 🥹
28.01.2026 09:54 — 👍 17 🔁 3 💬 2 📌 1Looking forward to this!
There's a lovely line in Martin Amis's 1974 review of it (collected in 'The War Against Cliché'): "... For somebody who writes so fast, Miss Murdoch writes dismayingly well."
Oh excellent. Not an obvious choice. But one of my favourites.
27.01.2026 18:21 — 👍 12 🔁 2 💬 2 📌 0I don't believe in Backlisted, I just believe in me; Yoko and me. And that's reality. x
27.01.2026 18:10 — 👍 8 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
First George solo album
First Paul solo album
First Ringo solo album
First John solo album
Thanks for everything. Hope the solo albums go well, and hoping for a refreshed reunion for more years. x
27.01.2026 13:43 — 👍 7 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0
Penultimate new episode up now. The Sacred and Profane Love Machine by Iris Murdoch, with guest Ian Patterson in Socratic dialogue with Andy Miller, Una McCormack and Nicky Birch. @unamccormack.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social www.backlisted.fm/episodes/256...
27.01.2026 07:15 — 👍 50 🔁 17 💬 0 📌 0
My copy of A State of Denmark by Derek Raymond in the freezer
Remember that episode of Friends where Joey puts books that are scaring him in the freezer?
26.01.2026 17:41 — 👍 23 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 3
'....The good artist is a vehicle of truth, he formulates ideas which would otherwise remain vague and focuses attention upon facts which can then no longer be ignored. The tyrant persecutes the artist by silencing him or by attempting to degrade or buy him. This has always been so.'
27.01.2026 15:21 — 👍 14 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 0
Some powerfully resonant quotes from 'Salvation by Words' near the end of @backlisted.bsky.social on Iris Murdoch:
'Tyrants always fear art because tyrants want to mystify while art tends to clarify. The good artist is a vehicle of truth'
@irismurdoch.bsky.social
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/256...
A guest (possibly) muddling up the plots/titles of the novel they intended to pick is the most Iris Murdoch thing ever!
Her piece on art and tyrants ("Salvation by words")was fascinating.
Great 'bookish content' as always :P
Welcome to all our new followers thanks to the latest @backlisted.bsky.social episode! If you're new here, you might like to check out our podcast series, perhaps starting here:
soundcloud.com/user-5488042...
Now searching my bookshelves because I know I have a couple of Iris Murdoch books I haven't got around to yet...
The Bell, and, The Sea,The Sea...
So far, I can't find them...😶
If I listen to an old episode of @backlisted.bsky.social now, which I do only rarely, it’s like an audio diary of whatever was happening in the world at the time - Brexit, Covid, Trump - and of opinions that I may or may not still hold, but frequently have no recollection of saying out loud.
27.01.2026 11:44 — 👍 17 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0Whenever the Backlisted podcast takes a break it comes back stronger. If it shifts permanently to a new format, that's exciting. This can only be good.
27.01.2026 11:23 — 👍 26 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0Lots of exciting plans here while the motherpod takes a well-earned break. Big love to my confreres.
27.01.2026 10:26 — 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0Not sure if this farewell or see you later but good vibes to Backlisted either way
27.01.2026 10:07 — 👍 18 🔁 4 💬 3 📌 0
Oh, there are plenty of readers out there! Check out our website and podcast!
irismurdochsociety.org.uk
My last @backlisted.bsky.social (for the moment!) and I think it’s an absolute belter. Ian Patterson is just incredible; I could listen to him talk about books all day. The rest of us are pretty good too.
27.01.2026 08:46 — 👍 30 🔁 6 💬 4 📌 0As I said to @unamccormack.bsky.social and Nicky, there was something so perfect and hilarious about this happening in the final (sic) recording.
27.01.2026 08:27 — 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0You *definitely* want to hear the full explanation.
27.01.2026 08:25 — 👍 6 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0The solution to the puzzle was The Sacred and Profane Love Machine (1974). No one got it right. For a full explanation, see the new episode of @backlisted.bsky.social.
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/256...
