Podcast Summary
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Apple Card offers daily cashback rewards with varying percentages depending on the purchase method, and drivers can save significantly by switching to Progressive for auto insurance. Marilyn Stasio, a renowned crime fiction critic, shares her perspective on violence in literature, expressing that it can be exciting and necessary, despite her ambiguous feelings towards it. While discussing her own life, she mentions her long-term residence in New York City and her lack of air conditioning on a particularly hot day. Overall, this text touches on various topics, including financial rewards, literature, and personal anecdotes.
The comfort of routines and the joy of reading: Routines bring comfort and connection, while reading offers an escape and satisfaction from being wrong.
Both the speaker and Marilyn Stazio have developed routines and patterns in their lives, whether it's the speaker's daily interactions with her neighbors or Marilyn's career as a book critic. The speaker acknowledges her predictability but also finds comfort in her routines and the connections she's made with her community. Marilyn, on the other hand, has built a career around reading and evaluating books, creating a system to manage the thousands of books she encounters. The speaker also shares Marilyn's belief in the importance of reading and how it can provide an escape or avoid unwanted tasks. The British novelist G.K. Chesterton's quote about the detective story being the only one where the reader is happy if they feel like a fool highlights the intrigue and satisfaction we can find in being wrong or misjudging a situation. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the power of routine, community, and the joy of reading.
The speaker's love for reading and the influence of different genres: The speaker's fascination with dark and mysterious stories began in childhood, influenced by encyclopedias and classic crime fiction like Agatha Christie. She appreciates the puzzle-focused nature of these stories and contrasts it with modern literature's emphasis on character development. Her mother's love for reading also inspired her.
The joy of reading can be found in various genres and formats, but the experience can be influenced by personal preferences and the evolution of literature. The speaker's fascination with dark and mysterious stories began with the encyclopedia and continued with classic crime fiction, particularly Agatha Christie. She appreciated the concise and puzzle-focused nature of these stories, contrasting it with modern literature that often emphasizes character development over the crime itself. The speaker's mother's love for reading also played a role in her own literary journey, providing an escape and inspiration. Overall, the love for reading and the appeal of different genres can evoke strong emotions and memories, shaping our connection to literature.
Golden Age vs Modern Detective Fiction: The golden age of detective fiction (1920s-1930s) emphasized puzzle-solving and murderer identification, while modern fiction (1950s-present) focuses on character development and less on puzzles. Cozy mysteries often feature an amateur detective in a romantic relationship with the lead investigator, which can be a cliche to avoid.
The evolution of detective and mystery fiction can be divided into different eras based on their distinct characteristics. The 1920s and 1930s, often referred to as the golden age, were known for puzzle-centric stories and figuring out the identity of the murderer, as seen in works by Agatha Christie and Dashiell Hammett. In contrast, the 1950s focused on action and character development, with authors like Ross Macdonald and Mickey Spillane gaining popularity. Modern fiction, such as Stephen King's works, prioritize character and lessen the emphasis on puzzles. A common cliche in cozy suburban mysteries is the amateur detective who is romantically involved with the lead investigator and eventually becomes a suspect herself. To avoid this cliche, consider exploring different genres or perspectives in detective and mystery fiction. Additionally, Progressive Insurance offers auto insurance quotes and savings for customers.
A Critic's Love for Crime Fiction and Its Recognition: A critic shares her passion for crime novels, recounts interactions with authors, and recommends 'The Moonstone' as a must-read, emphasizing the importance of recognizing contemporary crime fiction.
The speaker, a crime novel critic, has dedicated her career to reviewing crime fiction, starting from her love for reading these novels and realizing the lack of serious consideration given to contemporary crime fiction. She shared her experiences with authors, including an encounter with Ed McBain where she criticized a poorly written female character, leading to a heated response from the author. She emphasized that her reviewing role is purely for entertainment and that she enjoys various genres, including crime, fantasy, and horror. Her recommendation for a must-read crime novel is "The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins, published in 1868, which is considered one of the first and best detective stories. Despite the debate surrounding who was the first to write a detective story, the speaker's passion for crime novels and her role in bringing recognition to contemporary crime fiction remains evident.
Wilde's favorite crime novel: 'Moonstone': Wilde admires 'Moonstone' for its intriguing writing and historical context, finding it to be the first and best detective story due to its descriptive instructions and sense of voyeurism.
Wilde's appreciation for the crime genre, specifically the novel "Moonstone," lies in its intriguing writing and the fascination it provides. She believes Edgar Allan Poe may have written the first detective story, but for her, "Moonstone" stands out as the first and best due to its descriptive instructions, such as the letter guiding the reader to find a clue by pulling a chain into quicksand. Wilde's love for crime novels stems from the thrill of the unknown and the historical context they often provide. She enjoys the sense of voyeurism and the intrigue surrounding historical crimes. Her favorite crime novels include "Mister Peanut" by Adam Ross, "The Ballad of the Whiskey Robber" by Julian Rubinstein, and "Every Dead Thing" by John Connolly. These novels have captivated her with their gripping stories and unexpected twists.
The Complexity of the President's Pardon Power: The president's pardon power is a complex issue with significant implications for American democracy, and while there are no firm legislative restrictions, historical examples illustrate the importance of careful consideration.
The pardon power of a president, as demonstrated in the Criminal podcast episode, is a complex and nuanced issue. The host raised the question of whether a president could grant a pardon through a tweet, and while it may seem far-fetched, it's not entirely impossible. The Constitution grants the president the power to grant pardons for federal offenses, and there are no firm legislative restrictions on this power. However, the implications and potential consequences of such an action are significant and far-reaching. The episode also touched upon historical examples of pardons, including one involving General Joseph Hooker and President Abraham Lincoln. Overall, the podcast episode highlighted the importance of understanding the intricacies of the pardon power and its potential implications for American democracy.