Revolution and Ruin Book Club: Stendhal's The Red and the Black

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May 22, 2025

∙ Paid

The story of a young man, filled with fiery ambition, twisted political ideology, and resentment toward everyone and everything and utterly lacking adequate paternal guidance.... gee, I wonder why this might resonate in the age of incels, aspirational fascists, and Elon Musk reply-guys. The Revolution and Ruin podcast gets into 19th century France, manic pixie goth girls, misdirected rage, and why orphans have all the fun. It’s time for Stendhal’s The Red and the Black.

Audio below or in the usual podcast places. Shownotes and discussion after the paywall.

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Cranach's Obsession with Severed Heads | ferrebeekeeper — Mathilde, obvs

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A guest post by

Joseph Henderson

Joseph Henderson is a writer and editor living in New Mexico. He is perpetually interested in reading with other people and thinking about what we read through writing and conversation.