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Books Undone

Books Undone

By: Livia J. Elliot
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A literary analysis podcast, centred in speculative fiction.

Some books are more than a simple story. They hide timeless themes and allegories full of meaning that are always worth discussing—but doing so requires dedication and keen eye for details. Join Australia-based author Livia J. Elliot as she conducts literary and thematic analyses of speculative and literary fiction to find what lays beyond the plot, decipher their invisible meaning, and reflect on their symbolism. If you are a fan of fantasy or sci-fi books, new or old, traditional or self-published, this is the show for you!

Be mindful. Books Undone contains spoilers for the books discussed, which vary in each episode.

2023 Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • When Books Offend Us: What Our Taste Reveals About Ourselves

    When Books Offend Us: What Our Taste Reveals About Ourselves
    Aug 27 2025

    We are slowly losing our ability to question ourselves—our likes, our preferences, our judgements on literature... and from there, we're one step away from no longer questioning why we hate something. After all, "What do you despise? By this are you truly known".

    This episode is actually a response to fellow BookTuber Britton from SomeOkieDude. Back in April (2025) he spoke about political commentary in fiction and made quite a compelling call of action: "[...] if there is a book or show that rubbed you the wrong way, I want you to sit back and think about why it did that. What was it about this piece of media that offended you so much?"

    Let's get this idea undone.

    Transcript & newsletter: https://liviajelliot.substack.com
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    20 mins
  • One Voice, Many Layers - Guests Talk on Fluid Narrators w/ Amy Minton

    One Voice, Many Layers - Guests Talk on Fluid Narrators w/ Amy Minton
    Aug 6 2025

    Join me as I chat with Amy Minton about the author-narrator-character relation, focal distance in framed narratives and multi-timeline stories, and how to ground your reader... and perhaps frustrate them, but in good measure. This is a spoiler-lite episode focused on the craft, and we'll mention plenty of examples.

    Find Amy at: https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story

    Check my Substack: https://liviajelliot.substack.com

    BOOKS & SHORT STORIES MENTIONED:

    • "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
    • "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell
    • "The Kingkiller Chronicles" by Patrick Rothfuss
    • "Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
    • "Maus" by Art Spiegelman
    • "City of Thieves" by David Benioff
    • "Heat" by Joyce Carol Oates
    • "Friend of my Youth" by Alice Munro
    • "Dolores Claiborne" by Stephen King
    • "The Garden of Forking Paths" by Jorge Luis Borges
    • "The Book of the New Sun" by Gene Wolfe
    • "The Dregs" by Thomas J. Devens
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • The World Doesn't Need You: Existentialism in Annihilation

    The World Doesn't Need You: Existentialism in Annihilation
    Jul 2 2025

    Annihilation is a challenge to humanity's perennial navel-gazing. It confronts us with the terrifying idea that the universe is not hostile—it simply doesn't care about us. In this episode, I will discuss three way sin which it challenges the biologist's (and thus the reader's) reality.

    You can find the full transcript, all citations, and get my free novella at: https://liviajelliot.substack.com
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    46 mins
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