The Hashish and Superiority Book Club

Pulled from the Kickers of Elves Patreon Our discussion of Richard Power's The Overstory continues now we've all read it. Wade and Hugh read Gideon the Ninth as a palate chaser: a book not at all like The Overstory For talk of more books, some comics, and everything else, check out the pateron: https://patreon.com/kickersofelves

James and Hugh talk about The Punisher's computer guy, America's Chernobyl, and mostly Richard Power's The Overstory. Want more of these conversations? To hear Wade's eventual thoughts on The Overstory? Check out the Kickers of Elves patreon at https://patreon.com/kickersofelves

A hollow man? The Quest is completed. We finally put Bitworld to rest. How many books are in this book? Again, themes are questioned. Fantasy forms are discussed before the big wrap up. Final feelings -and the book- are put to rest. And no, Chris Brown did not sing on that one song. If you have your own opinions to share: 917 408 3898 https://kickersofelves.com https://patreon.com/kickersofelves https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts

A Quest! A new story begins. But we’re at the end! How many stories does this book need? Does this novel have a consistent theme or not? Things pop off and tension runs high. Some of the discussion goes back to the Moab section. And some other topics are revisited. Watch out! We go full reaility show drama/American Chopper Meme with this one.

The regular James returns. Is it the same podcast on down throughout every reality? First, a synopsis! We haven’t actually done many of those. Are you ready for some hot logging action? Do we live in simulation? Is it turtles all the way down? Is there some Snow Crash in this? Work and labor! Do the economics of this book fall flat? Is this a libertarian text? Is Bitworld’s similarity to our world the point? How confounding is this to the general reader? Do other books have a more balanced perspective? Should the book be testing its own thesis in its text? Does it always come back to Ursula K. LeGuin? Is this like reading a Foundation book? Is this book a complete antithesis to Alan Moore’s Jerusalem on a number of levels? Is Fantasy as a genre necessarily synonymous with Adventure? But enough of our opinions: What do other Stephenson fans at r/sciencefiction think about how his books end? How does having kids affect one’s desire for a tight plot structure? Do unemotional/emotional 20 year olds have a better tolerance or patience for long books of this nature? So many questions. RATE the podcast. Mind your consonants, people! Listeners from Season 1 can check out the patreon for a few cut regarding Alan Moore's Jerusalem https://patreon.com/kickersofelves https://kickersofelves.com https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts

We experienced a loss with this episode. There may, however, be a technological solution. Listen for a note at the top of the episode to explain further, but the short is: A routine procedure went awry. James is Gone (No, he's not!) Maybe he is here, in some sense. What exactly does Gnosticism have to do with Dodge in Hell? Quite a lot it turns out! We read the beginning of Book 2 of Fall for this installment, but even if you haven't read it that's ok. It's a book about a simulated afterlife. Lets talk about simulations and their worth. https://patreon.com/kickersofelves https://kickersofelves.com https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts

Book One ends, but we're still arguing the premise of the book. How is this thing structured anyway? All about El’s name. Paradise Lost, huh? Does Milton’s view of history have anything to do with this book? What are we supposed to derive from Paradise Lost similarities? Oh boy, here’s where we start going off the rails. If Maeve refers to a brain “simulation” does that completely negate the conceit of a digital afterlife? What is the humanity of this book? Is it a dog staring at your finger? Are these people dead or not? More arguing about “Brain in a Jar” stories. Is this all leading to characters suiciding themselves, or just Pluto? Did this book need more philosophical underpinnings explained? Is the book sympathetic to human experience or is the humanty’s next hurdle getting over our meat bodies? Is this the fall of an idealist after all the rich guys suck up to Trump? The cold horniness of the scifi writer. A lack of character interiority. Is bitworld boring or an enjoyable read? Is it a problem when scifi writers are overly cerebral, or is that an unfair knock from literary fiction fans? Arguing digital religion with friends. For all the disagreement, we can agree that the trans character is done very wrong. Way to misread the room. She’s not treated with the contempt that HR people are subjected to at least. Let us know what you think. And check out the patreon for material cut from this episode 917 408 3898 https://patreon.com/kickersofelves https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts

With Ameristan behind us, it's time to head back to the back to the conference room. Things get heated. More analyzing the mental state of the author. Is he calming? Is he ok? Are we ok? Are you ok? Just what is happing here? 917 408 3898 https://patreon.com/kickersoflelves https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts https://kickersofelves.com

We think we have a better idea of the book now, but do we? Is this an angry book where Neal is working out his feelings on the 2016 election? Are dumb people the biggest problem in the world? Welcome to Ameristan! Is this intellectual elitism? Plus we meet Enoch Root. More predictions and trying to figure this thing out. Are we right? Wrong? What a sex scene! 917 408 3898 https://kickersofelves.com https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts A few minutes cut for time and consistency can be found at our patreon, along with hundreds of hours of additional content. https://www.patreon.com/posts/32119831

We’re into Fall! What do we think about the book so far and just how wrong are we about what’s going to come next? First off though, we have to talk more about Neal Stephenson and the ideas he likes to write about. Or doesn’t. Is Neal talking against Ursula K. Leguin specifically in this video? We Solve for X: Neal Stephenson on Getting Big Stuff Done https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE0n_5qPmRM Contrasting Snow Crash vs Fall vs Ready Player One. How much of REAMDE is necessary? Is this the culmination of the shared Stephenson universe? How does this Part One work on its own? How much legal wrangling lies ahead? Qualia is important. Why structure the book this way? Would structuring it differently work better for the books intended audience? Is this a humanist text? A transhumanist one? How is it for a person who usually reads “themes first” books to dive into a “plot first” text? Just how High Fantasy might this book get? Get ready for next week. There's FAKE NEWS ahead. Give us a call at 917 408 3898 and let us know what you're thinking about the book. https://patreon.com/kickersofelves https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts https://kickersofelves.com

Why did Wade pick a Neal Stephenson book for season two? Is this book about a billionaire who dies and is resurrected in a digital afterlife anything like Alan Moore's Jerusalem? Not really, but yet in some ways it's the opposite. Just what is everyones experience with Stephenson? What is he known for? Who's at least read Snow Crash? Will we even like this book? What can we expect and what are our fears going forward? Lots of questions in this one!

Our exploration of Frank Herbert's Dune continues! Can one Dune defender protect the seminal work from two adversaries bent on tearing its legacy apart? We're really in it now! While Wade learns how to be a better father than Frank, check out more of Much A-Dune About nothing on the Kickers of Elves Patreon! We go in depth on more than just the book for patrons; we cover every filmed adaptation of the text, from David Lynch's Dune, the failed adaptation and successful documentary, Jodorowsky's Dune, and the 2000 Scifi Channel miniseries. https://www.patreon.com/kickersofelves https://kickersofelves.com

Before Season 2 of the Hashish and Superiority Book Club commences, here's part one of our special patron bonus episode on one of the most revered franchises in Science Fiction. By some people anyways. In this episode we tackle the source text itself. From the background of the book and author, to the plot and themes within: There's a lot to discuss! How has this book stood the test of time? Just what do we like about the book? Is it just an adolescent savior story with noble savages or is it more nuanced? Is it stuck in an old way of thinking? Irredeemable? Wade seems to read this book much differently than James and Hugh. There's so much to discuss in fact, that we've broken our discussion into two parts, so be on the lookout for Much A-Dune About Nothing: The Book Part Two https://www.patreon.com/kickersofelves https://kickersofelves.com

We read and covered Watchmen for patrons. The book Alan Moore will probably be remembered for (sorry, Jerusalem). Here we cover our own history with the comic, and then some details and history of the book and its creators. All four in depth bonus episodes, covering three chapters a piece is available on the patreon. In episode 4 we go into further details of what we might expect from the upcoming HBO show. https://www.patreon.com/posts/hashish-platinum-26549215

Intro - We just got a whole bunch of crap to go over, and we start like a shotgun blast. Chapter 9: The Rood in the Wall (skip to 21:06) - An actor from Doctor Who: The Trial of the Time Lord acts like an American detective for awhile. It both is and is about shoehorning a story into another story. Chapter 10: The Jolly Smokers (skip to 38:05) - The concussed flamingo takes a trip he paid for through the oldest trade. Chapter 11: Go See Now This Cursed Woman (skip to 45:40) - The novel wraps up… mostly. Afterlude: Chain of Office (skip to 1:03:25) - Alma’s art show is described in detail. Welcome to The Hashish and Superiority Book Club, a podcast where we hope to tackle the large and weighty tomes of great (or not so great) fiction we find pertinent to the modern world - heretofore to be referred to as Hell World. Each season of the podcast will tackle either one large work or one author, dissecting what makes them lasting and important to the modern hellscape. We are Kickers of Elves (kickersofelves.com, @kickerspodcasts), a group of podcasting thirtysomething sad bastards consisting of Wade Bowen (@bogmad), James Nolen (@jamesnolen), and Hugh Crawford (@hughbotcrawford). For Season 1, we have decided to read the entire 600,000 word, 1300pg doorstop by Alan Moore named Jerusalem (2016). Music Used: “Theme Song” by James “Man Out of Time” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions “Let Down” by Radiohead “Star Witness” by Neko Case “Ashes to Ashes” by David Bowie “Blake’s Jerusalem” by Billy Bragg Publisher Blurb: Begging comparisons to Tolstoy and Joyce, this “magnificent, sprawling cosmic epic” (Guardian) by Alan Moore—the genre-defying, “groundbreaking, hairy genius of our generation” (NPR)—takes its place among the most notable works of contemporary English literature. In decaying Northampton, eternity loiters between housing projects. Among saints, kings, prostitutes, and derelicts, a timeline unravels: second-century fiends wait in urine-scented stairwells, delinquent specters undermine a century with tunnels, and in upstairs parlors, laborers with golden blood reduce fate to a snooker tournament. Through the labyrinthine streets and pages of Jerusalem tread ghosts singing hymns of wealth and poverty. They celebrate the English language, challenge mortality post-Einstein, and insist upon their slum as Blake’s eternal holy city in “Moore’s apotheosis, a fourth-dimensional symphony” (Entertainment Weekly). This “brilliant . . . monumentally ambitious” tale from the gutter is “a massive literary achievement for our time—and maybe for all times simultaneously” (Washington Post). Some links to purchase the book: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BX7S1M2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 (We hate these robber barons, especially Jeff Bezos. Don’t use Amazon if you can help it, but we are huge hypocrites for James and Hugh both recommend reading the book on Kindle.) Powell’s https://www.powells.com/book/-9781631494727 If you like this podcast, we hope you check out our other ongoing podcasts covering every single episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (The Rules of Acquisition) and our highly critical struggle session with Star Trek: Discovery (A Discovery Home Companion). Also visit us on all the social media platforms of your life: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kickersofelves/posts Web: www.kickersofelves.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kickersofelves/ Email: james@kickersofelves.com Curious Cat: https://curiouscat.me/kickersofelves Tumblr: https://therulesofacquisitionpodcast.tumblr.com/ Phone Number: 917 408 3898

Intro - We are getting tired. And the book starts to wear thin on some of us. Chapter 5: The Rafters and the Beams (skip to 6:40) - We get the history of African immigrants to Northampton. Black Charley leaves the third dimension. A new character is introduced. Chapter 6: Under the Bridge of All Saints (skip to 24:17) - A play about pedophilia. And incest. Becketts and Johns are there. We have a strong reaction to it. Chapter 7: Eating Flowers (skip to 43:25) - Snowy Dies. The Universe ends… eventually. Snowy lives again. Chapter 8: Cornered (skip to 1:05:40) - Jim Cockie is marxist. Well, a reformed Marxist. But really he is just a neolib twat. Roman Thompson thinks he is a wanker. But also maybe he is being haunted. Welcome to The Hashish and Superiority Book Club, a podcast where we hope to tackle the large and weighty tomes of great (or not so great) fiction we find pertinent to the modern world - heretofore to be referred to as Hell World. Each season of the podcast will tackle either one large work or one author, dissecting what makes them lasting and important to the modern hellscape. We are Kickers of Elves (kickersofelves.com, @kickerspodcasts), a group of podcasting thirtysomething sad bastards consisting of Wade Bowen (@bogmad), James Nolen (@jamesnolen), and Hugh Crawford (@hughbotcrawford). For Season 1, we have decided to read the entire 600,000 word, 1300pg doorstop by Alan Moore named Jerusalem (2016). Music Used: “Theme Song” by James and Vladimir and Estragon and Samuel Beckett “Reagan” by Killer Mike (produced by El-P… Yeah, its RTJ basically) “Waiting on a Friend” by The Rolling Stones “In the Year 2525” by Zagar and Evans “At Home He is a Tourist” by Gang of Four “The Olde Trip to Jerusalem” by The Mekons Publisher Blurb: Begging comparisons to Tolstoy and Joyce, this “magnificent, sprawling cosmic epic” (Guardian) by Alan Moore—the genre-defying, “groundbreaking, hairy genius of our generation” (NPR)—takes its place among the most notable works of contemporary English literature. In decaying Northampton, eternity loiters between housing projects. Among saints, kings, prostitutes, and derelicts, a timeline unravels: second-century fiends wait in urine-scented stairwells, delinquent specters undermine a century with tunnels, and in upstairs parlors, laborers with golden blood reduce fate to a snooker tournament. Through the labyrinthine streets and pages of Jerusalem tread ghosts singing hymns of wealth and poverty. They celebrate the English language, challenge mortality post-Einstein, and insist upon their slum as Blake’s eternal holy city in “Moore’s apotheosis, a fourth-dimensional symphony” (Entertainment Weekly). This “brilliant . . . monumentally ambitious” tale from the gutter is “a massive literary achievement for our time—and maybe for all times simultaneously” (Washington Post). Some links to purchase the book: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BX7S1M2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 (We hate these robber barons, especially Jeff Bezos. Don’t use Amazon if you can help it, but we are huge hypocrites for James and Hugh both recommend reading the book on Kindle.) Powell’s https://www.powells.com/book/-9781631494727 If you like this podcast, we hope you check out our other ongoing podcasts covering every single episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (The Rules of Acquisition) and our highly critical struggle session with Star Trek: Discovery (A Discovery Home Companion). Also visit us on all the social media platforms of your life: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kickersofelves/posts Web: www.kickersofelves.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kickersofelves/ Email: james@kickersofelves.com Curious Cat: https://curiouscat.me/kickersofelves Tumblr: https://therulesofacquisitionpodcast.tumblr.com/ Phone Number: 917 408 3898

Intro - A sense of foreboding descends as we fret about the chance of an unsatisfying ending. Also, Dis book gets tough to read! Themes over plot. Joyce gets talked about, but not for last time. Chapter 1: Clouds Unfold (skip to 7:44) - Might Mike finally speaks to us, but all that we hear is an argument about Free Will vs Determinism. Chapter 2: A Cold and Frosty Morning (skip to 25:40) - Alma is finally the focus of a chapter, but all that we hear is an argument about Free Will vs Determinism. Chapter 3: Round the Bend (skip to 47:24) - Loutal Joysea prenombulems round she ass y lums, ilbratses er concorpsescents… doubly sew, haunts Lucia nuts of materkynds tanks due all so womensole, a elast comborts into farces your two gramble calvon Freezed bills vagses Dieter man is him. Chapter 4: Burning Gold (skip to 1:14:15) - Roman Thompson is like if Oliver Twist grew up to be Buenaventura Durruti, but without a Civil War to fight. Also, We learn the history of the British Pound. There is probably some Free Will vs Determinism in there somewhere. Welcome to The Hashish and Superiority Book Club, a podcast where we hope to tackle the large and weighty tomes of great (or not so great) fiction we find pertinent to the modern world - heretofore to be referred to as Hell World. Each season of the podcast will tackle either one large work or one author, dissecting what makes them lasting and important to the modern hellscape. We are Kickers of Elves (kickersofelves.com, @kickerspodcasts), a group of podcasting thirtysomething sad bastards consisting of Wade Bowen (@bogmad), James Nolen (@jamesnolen), and Hugh Crawford (@hughbotcrawford). For Season 1, we have decided to read the entire 600,000 word, 1300pg doorstop by Alan Moore named Jerusalem (2016). Music Used: “Theme Song” by James and Paget Brewster reading a passage by James Joyce “Also Sprach Zarathustra” by Deodato (and Strauss, I guess) “Reward” by The Teardrop Explodes “Stay Awhile” by Dusty Springfield “3 AM Eternal” by KLF (+1M quid they will later burn) “New Age” by The Velvet Underground Publisher Blurb: Begging comparisons to Tolstoy and Joyce, this “magnificent, sprawling cosmic epic” (Guardian) by Alan Moore—the genre-defying, “groundbreaking, hairy genius of our generation” (NPR)—takes its place among the most notable works of contemporary English literature. In decaying Northampton, eternity loiters between housing projects. Among saints, kings, prostitutes, and derelicts, a timeline unravels: second-century fiends wait in urine-scented stairwells, delinquent specters undermine a century with tunnels, and in upstairs parlors, laborers with golden blood reduce fate to a snooker tournament. Through the labyrinthine streets and pages of Jerusalem tread ghosts singing hymns of wealth and poverty. They celebrate the English language, challenge mortality post-Einstein, and insist upon their slum as Blake’s eternal holy city in “Moore’s apotheosis, a fourth-dimensional symphony” (Entertainment Weekly). This “brilliant . . . monumentally ambitious” tale from the gutter is “a massive literary achievement for our time—and maybe for all times simultaneously” (Washington Post). Some links to purchase the book: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BX7S1M2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 (We hate these robber barons, especially Jeff Bezos. Don’t use Amazon if you can help it, but we are huge hypocrites for James and Hugh both recommend reading the book on Kindle.) Powell’s https://www.powells.com/book/-9781631494727 If you like this podcast, we hope you check out our other ongoing podcasts covering every single episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (The Rules of Acquisition) and our highly critical struggle session with Star Trek: Discovery (A Discovery Home Companion). Also visit us on all the social media platforms of your life: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kickersofelves/posts Web:...

Intro - We talk about… basically stuff we will talk about later too. We have lots of theories. Chapter 9: The Trees Don’t Need to Know (skip to 15:55) - Marjorie drowned, and then fell in love with the written word. We talk about Phyllis alot though. And there is a semen obsessed sea monster. I guess that is worth mentioning. Also, some incest and rape is discussed. Chapter 10: Forbidden Worlds (skip to 43:35) - Bill’s chapter. But wha’s up wit his mom? TRIGGER WARNING: Violent rape is unfortunately discussed at a tasteful but substantial length. Chapter 11: The Destructor (skip to 1:12:50) - “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles. Freeman and slave, patrician and plebeian, lord and serf, guild master and journeyman, in a word, oppressor and oppressed, stood in constant opposition to one another, carried on an uninterrupted, now hidden, now open fight, that each time ended, either in the revolutionary reconstitution of society at large, or in the common ruin of the contending classes.” Welcome to The Hashish and Superiority Book Club, a podcast where we hope to tackle the large and weighty tomes of great (or not so great) fiction we find pertinent to the modern world - heretofore to be referred to as Hell World. Each season of the podcast will tackle either one large work or one author, dissecting what makes them lasting and important to the modern hellscape. We are Kickers of Elves (kickersofelves.com, @kickerspodcasts), a group of podcasting thirtysomething sad bastards consisting of Wade Bowen (@bogmad), James Nolen (@jamesnolen), and Hugh Crawford (@hughbotcrawford). For Season 1, we have decided to read the entire 600,000 word, 1300pg doorstop by Alan Moore named Jerusalem (2016). Music Used: “Theme Song” by James and an idiot crying over Ayn Rand or something “Sally Maclennane” by The Pogues “The Bewlay Brothers” by David Bowie “Killing Moon” by Roman Remains “Ceremony” by New Order (but really basically Joy Division) Publisher Blurb: Begging comparisons to Tolstoy and Joyce, this “magnificent, sprawling cosmic epic” (Guardian) by Alan Moore—the genre-defying, “groundbreaking, hairy genius of our generation” (NPR)—takes its place among the most notable works of contemporary English literature. In decaying Northampton, eternity loiters between housing projects. Among saints, kings, prostitutes, and derelicts, a timeline unravels: second-century fiends wait in urine-scented stairwells, delinquent specters undermine a century with tunnels, and in upstairs parlors, laborers with golden blood reduce fate to a snooker tournament. Through the labyrinthine streets and pages of Jerusalem tread ghosts singing hymns of wealth and poverty. They celebrate the English language, challenge mortality post-Einstein, and insist upon their slum as Blake’s eternal holy city in “Moore’s apotheosis, a fourth-dimensional symphony” (Entertainment Weekly). This “brilliant . . . monumentally ambitious” tale from the gutter is “a massive literary achievement for our time—and maybe for all times simultaneously” (Washington Post). Some links to purchase the book: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BX7S1M2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 (We hate these robber barons, especially Jeff Bezos. Don’t use Amazon if you can help it, but we are huge hypocrites for James and Hugh both recommend reading the book on Kindle.) Powell’s https://www.powells.com/book/-9781631494727 If you like this podcast, we hope you check out our other ongoing podcasts covering every single episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (The Rules of Acquisition) and our highly critical struggle session with Star Trek: Discovery (A Discovery Home Companion). Also visit us on all the social media platforms of your life: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kickersofelves/posts Web: www.kickersofelves.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts Facebook:...

Intro - We talk about how Alan Moore writes a lot, and how that is overwhelming. Chapter 5: Flatland (skip to 13:07) - Reggie Bowler had a horrible life, but his death is turning out to be a hoot. Chapter 6: Mental F(l)ights (skip to 31:35) - Two big guys get into a fight over a game of pool. One of them called the other a naughty word. Chapter 7: Silent Swords (skip to 50:40) - War! Huh! What is it good for? Controlling the masses and entrenching oppressive power structures. Say it again! Chapter 8: Malignant Refractory Spirits (skip to 1:18:50) - Some naked ladies start a fire and probably all free will is a lie. Welcome to The Hashish and Superiority Book Club, a podcast where we hope to tackle the large and weighty tomes of great (or not so great) fiction we find pertinent to the modern world - heretofore to be referred to as Hell World. Each season of the podcast will tackle either one large work or one author, dissecting what makes them lasting and important to the modern hellscape. We are Kickers of Elves (kickersofelves.com, @kickerspodcasts), a group of podcasting thirtysomething sad bastards consisting of Wade Bowen (@bogmad), James Nolen (@jamesnolen), and Hugh Crawford (@hughbotcrawford). For Season 1, we have decided to read the entire 600,000 word, 1300pg doorstop by Alan Moore named Jerusalem (2016). Music Used: “Theme Song” by James (he forgot to add the jokey overdub at the beginning) “Spoilt Victorian Child” by The Fall “North Nights” by slowthai “Let England Shake” by Polly Jean Harvey “Forever Loving Jah” by Bob Marley “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush Publisher Blurb: Begging comparisons to Tolstoy and Joyce, this “magnificent, sprawling cosmic epic” (Guardian) by Alan Moore—the genre-defying, “groundbreaking, hairy genius of our generation” (NPR)—takes its place among the most notable works of contemporary English literature. In decaying Northampton, eternity loiters between housing projects. Among saints, kings, prostitutes, and derelicts, a timeline unravels: second-century fiends wait in urine-scented stairwells, delinquent specters undermine a century with tunnels, and in upstairs parlors, laborers with golden blood reduce fate to a snooker tournament. Through the labyrinthine streets and pages of Jerusalem tread ghosts singing hymns of wealth and poverty. They celebrate the English language, challenge mortality post-Einstein, and insist upon their slum as Blake’s eternal holy city in “Moore’s apotheosis, a fourth-dimensional symphony” (Entertainment Weekly). This “brilliant . . . monumentally ambitious” tale from the gutter is “a massive literary achievement for our time—and maybe for all times simultaneously” (Washington Post). Some links to purchase the book: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BX7S1M2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 (We hate these robber barons, especially Jeff Bezos. Don’t use Amazon if you can help it, but we are huge hypocrites for James and Hugh both recommend reading the book on Kindle.) Powell’s https://www.powells.com/book/-9781631494727 If you like this podcast, we hope you check out our other ongoing podcasts covering every single episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (The Rules of Acquisition) and our highly critical struggle session with Star Trek: Discovery (A Discovery Home Companion). Also visit us on all the social media platforms of your life: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kickersofelves/posts Web: www.kickersofelves.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kickersofelves/ Email: james@kickersofelves.com Curious Cat: https://curiouscat.me/kickersofelves Tumblr: https://therulesofacquisitionpodcast.tumblr.com/ Phone Number: 917 408 3898

Intro - We find this all fun and weird. Victorian children’s novels are discussed. So is the fourth dimension. Chapter 1: Upstairs (skip to 8:20) - Michael has died and its very disorienting. A girl gives him a tour. Chapter 2: An Asmodeus Flight (skip to 29:12) - Michael meets the devil (well, a devil). They go on a road trip that ends with a fish fry. Chapter 3: Rabbits (skip to 54:20) - Phyllis Painter hates ghosts, likes rabbits, and wants to solve Michael Warren. Chapter 4: The Scarlet Well (skip to 1:10:00) - The Dead Dead Gang futz around, find shelter in a storm, get yelled at, lose track of time, and come to terms with the grinding despair of urban renewal. Welcome to The Hashish and Superiority Book Club, a podcast where we hope to tackle the large and weighty tomes of great (or not so great) fiction we find pertinent to the modern world - heretofore to be referred to as Hell World. Each season of the podcast will tackle either one large work or one author, dissecting what makes them lasting and important to the modern hellscape. We are Kickers of Elves (kickersofelves.com, @kickerspodcasts), a group of podcasting thirtysomething sad bastards consisting of Wade Bowen (@bogmad), James Nolen (@jamesnolen), and Hugh Crawford (@hughbotcrawford). For Season 1, we have decided to read the entire 600,000 word, 1300pg doorstop by Alan Moore named Jerusalem (2016). Music Used: “Theme Song” by James and Onyx the Fortuitous “Knee Play 1” by Philip Glass and Robert Wilson “Up Jumped the Devil” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds “Another Green World” by Brian Eno “I Don’t Want to Grow Up” by Tom Waits “Hell is Chrome” by Wilco Publisher Blurb: Begging comparisons to Tolstoy and Joyce, this “magnificent, sprawling cosmic epic” (Guardian) by Alan Moore—the genre-defying, “groundbreaking, hairy genius of our generation” (NPR)—takes its place among the most notable works of contemporary English literature. In decaying Northampton, eternity loiters between housing projects. Among saints, kings, prostitutes, and derelicts, a timeline unravels: second-century fiends wait in urine-scented stairwells, delinquent specters undermine a century with tunnels, and in upstairs parlors, laborers with golden blood reduce fate to a snooker tournament. Through the labyrinthine streets and pages of Jerusalem tread ghosts singing hymns of wealth and poverty. They celebrate the English language, challenge mortality post-Einstein, and insist upon their slum as Blake’s eternal holy city in “Moore’s apotheosis, a fourth-dimensional symphony” (Entertainment Weekly). This “brilliant . . . monumentally ambitious” tale from the gutter is “a massive literary achievement for our time—and maybe for all times simultaneously” (Washington Post). Some links to purchase the book: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BX7S1M2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 (We hate these robber barons, especially Jeff Bezos. Don’t use Amazon if you can help it, but we are huge hypocrites for James and Hugh both recommend reading the book on Kindle.) Powell’s https://www.powells.com/book/-9781631494727 If you like this podcast, we hope you check out our other ongoing podcasts covering every single episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (The Rules of Acquisition ) and our highly critical struggle session with Star Trek: Discovery (A Discovery Home Companion). Also visit us on all the social media platforms of your life: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kickersofelves/posts Web: www.kickersofelves.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/kickerspodcasts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kickersofelves/ Email: james@kickersofelves.com Curious Cat: https://curiouscat.me/kickersofelves Tumblr: https://therulesofacquisitionpodcast.tumblr.com/ Phone Number: 917 408 3898