Papercut

Here's to Season 2. Watch us as we recount our favourite (and least favourite) episodes as well as future projects. Yes, we really are doing the "lazy recap" episode. Again...

Never say Papercut isn't progressive. This episode dives into May Alcott's semi-autobiographical novel about four sisters as they grow, live, love and laugh.

What book could have caused so much outrage that even Uncle Sam had to ban it? Find out on this edition of Papercut.

Dostoyevsky's final novel, The Brothers Karamazov follows 3 brothers and the rocky relationship they share with their father. Part murder mystery, part philosophical mouthpiece, the novel explores morality and religion through conversations between the brothers and the ultimate consequences of their beliefs.

What does it mean to be a gentleman? A Gentleman in Moscow explores the life of Count Rostov who is placed under house arrest during the Russian Revolution for being a lord at the wrong place at the wrong time. Part love letter to Russia, the novel shows the Count's life behind bars as Russia experiences its most tumultuous years. What now, Papercut?

Underwater fish, monsters, savages and Atlantis. What does Papercut have to say about 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea?

A book about the American Civil War without a focus on slavery? That must be a joke right? Maybe not as we shall see in this episode of Papercut!

Set in an alternate history where Germany and Japan won the Second World War, The Man in The High Castle follows the lives of five people as they set about their lives in this New World Order. One character searches for the Man in the High Castle himself, who wrote a scathing novel about an impossible world - one where the allies had won WWII. How does Papercut deal with this?

Are human beings truly and fundamentally evil to the core? How do we explain the atrocities of the Holocaust? Or even studies into evil like the Stanford Prison experiment? What if our worldview on humanity is plain and simply wrong? Find out in this edition of Papercut.

We loved the first one so much we had to do it again. Dear listener, thank you again for your recommendation, we had a great time recording this. We hope you enjoy our take on this book.

One of the most influential works ever written, Don Quixote tells us the story of... well, Don Quixote, Knight of the Rueful Countenance, Lover of Dulcinea del Toboso and humble servant of damsels in distress. Don Quixote has gone on to influence writers like Dostoyevsky, manga writers from One Pience and video games like the Witcher. What say you, Papercut?

Go to any bookstore and you can't miss the orange sprawl telling you not to give a f**k. The book itself styles itself as an anti-self help book - stomping on old self-help tropes in favour of simpler alternatives. What does Papercut have to say about Mark Manson's bestseller?

We had to do it. We loved the OG man hunting fish so much we had to do the next best thing. The Old Man and the Sea narrates the tale of Santiago (aka The Old Man) who ventures out into the sea (aka The Sea) to catch a fish. No, we're serious. What do we have to say about this huh?

Nostalgia, youth and suicide. Poignantly written, Murakami tells the story of Toru Watanabe - as he reminisces through his university days, his best friend's suicide and the love of his life. Translated from the original Japanese, the simple tale is kept alive by an assortment of characters, ranging from eccentric to stoic to downright despicable. Murakami explores grief and existential dread but offers a neutral stance on both matters, citing growth as the best remedy. What say you, Papercut?

Should you stick to your ideas or go with the flow? Is it better to be a lone genius or an amiable loser? Ayn Rand explores these questions in her debut novel "The Fountainhead". Needless to say, the novel acts as a vehicle for her philosophy of objectivism (i.e., capitalism on steroids). What does Papercut have to say about this?

Written by another famous Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D'Urbervilles narrates the life of Tess as she searches for hope and meaning in the face of adversity and crushing societal expectations set on the women of her time. Who better to talk about these issues than two guys behind a mic? Find out more on this episode of Papercut!

Kids are bundles of joy, right? Not if your son is Kevin. The book tells the story of Eva recounting the events that led to the worst moments of her life. Through a series of letters to her husband, we learn more about her relationship with Kevin, her family and heritage, culminating in the answer to the question she's been asking herself - could you love the monster that is your son? Find out more on Papercut!

We had no idea Audrey Hepburn's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was based on a book until we heard about Truman Capote. Set in the the mid-20th century, the novel tells the story of Holly Golightly. But honestly, what on earth does it mean to have breakfast at Tiffany's? Find out on this episode of Papercut!.

Teenage romance novels are often angst filled, hormone driven drivel. And every now and again, some different comes along and tugs at all the right heartstrings without oozing cringe. With no flashing "Save the World" quest, The Perks of Being A Wallflower provides a simple tale of friendship and growing up told through our wallflower narrator - Charlie. So, are there any perks of standing on the sidelines and observing? Find out on this episode of Papercut!

We wanted to start Season 2 on a high note on what we thought was the best book for adventure. What can this tale teach us about struggle and perseverance? Find out on this episode on "The Count of Monte Cristo"

Pretty self explanatory. New episode out Sunday 3pm HKT! Look out for that

Can you believe it's been 30 episodes already? Neither can we. We're proud to present the finale for our first season, talking about our favourite (and least favourite) books from the season. 

We'll be back with Season 2 before you know it. So stay tuned!

Styled as a memoir and a self help book, Can't Hurt Me chronicles the crazy life led by David Goggins as he becomes the 'Hardest Man in the World'. Rising from obesity and despair to join the military, break world records and run ultra marathons, Goggins shares his story with the world and how he overcame the odds to make the most of what life has to offer.

The first of many adventures, A Study in Scarlet introduces us to London's first super detective, Sherlock Holmes. Narrated through Dr Watson, A Study in Scarlet tackles weird and odd subjects in Victorian England, America and beyond. Join us as Papercut takes a stab at the sleuth himself.

Not all stories need complex plots to convey complex emotions. Fredrik Backman's story of a grouchy old man and his misadventures is testament to that fact. Join us this week as we discuss a novel that promises to make you smile :)

Being a kid is never easy. Starting life as an old man is even more surreal, yet here we are. This short story from F Scott Fitzgerald imagines the life of Benjamin Button as he ages in reverse. What does Papercut have to say about that?

The War of the Worlds. The story of aliens attacking London and dying because of germs (spoilers). Find out what we think of it here in this episode of Papercut!

War, uh, yea. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. This week, Papercut explores Kurt Vonnegut's classic 'Slaughterhouse Five'. Part time travel, part space travel adventure, this story begs the question - what is the point of war? And beyond that, is there a point to life? Find out with us on this episode of Papercut.

What does justice mean? What does it mean to be made an example of? Set in apartheid South Africa, Cry, the Beloved Country recounts the tale of a father working tirelessly to save his son from execution. It's themes of racism and violence still permeate societies around the globe today. What does Papercut have to say about this?

If you had the chance to be the most intelligent being on the planet, would you take it? In Daniel Keyes' masterpiece, we are introduced to Charlie (IQ 68) and his change from special needs shopkeeper to international superstar genius. Join us in this episode of Papercut as we explore life among the pinnacles of intellect and what that entails. #PrepareToCry

Welcome to our 20th Episode Guest Special! To celebrate, we're proud to have Lawrence of Australia on the show with us to discuss the Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. The first part of the Kingkiller Chronicles trilogy, this bestseller has won the hearts of many and continues to captivate all minds alike. Thank you all for your support, couldn't have made it this far without it!

What does it mean to grow up? How does Hermann Hesse tackle this age old coming of age story? What does psychoanalysis have to do with this? Watch us find out as we delve into Demian: The Story of Emil Sinclair's Youth in this week's episode of Papercut!

How do you survive when life deals you a hard hand to start with? Jeannette Walls is a columnist at MSNBC. Written as a memoir of days past, she holds a torch to her parents and the choices they had to make. Looking back,  her parents showed her a different kind of love. So, what does it mean to be a good parent? We don't have kids but we'll stick an opinion in there anyway. Find out on this episode of Papercut now!

Another fan requested masterpiece. This week, Papercut tackles 'Little Miss Shy Goes Online Dating' by Roger Hargreaves. Online dating can be a messy experience and the experience is almost universal. Join us on this episode as we explore the ways in which online dating can suck a little less.

Ever wondered what the future would be like? The question has been posed several times. H.G. Wells' novel envisions a world after humans and Google. Find out what we think on this episode of Papercut!

Is our mind truly our own? Why does the brain take shortcuts with certain thoughts and should we allow it to do so? Is there a way to think better about things? Join us in this episode of Papercut where we discuss Daniel Kahneman's 'Thinking, Fast and Slow'.

Almost every politician and pundit has cited Plato's Republic as a utopian ideal to which society should strive to. Yet, a closer dive reveals that Plato's vision of an advanced society is nowhere near the modern sense of democracy. Join us on this week of Papercut as we lay down what Plato really said in his immortal text - The Republic.

Can killing ever be justified? How does taking a life affect the mind of the average person? Are all criminals beyond penance? In the first of it's kind, Dostoyevsky's exploration into madness is seen as one of the first psychological thrillers. Join us on this exploration in this week's edition of Papercut - Crime and Punishment.

How do consumerism, Buddhism, pugilism and saponification come together in one story? Join us as we unravel the various complexities behind the cult classic Fight Club.

Ever wondered what Russian history would be like if it were acted out by animals and acted out on a farm? Well look no further. Papercut is happy to delve into this week's episode featuring Animal Farm by George Orwell.

FREAKONOMICS

What causes crime rate to fall? Does parenting actually matter? Should we trust the experts at all? Find out what we think in this episode of Papercut!

[SPOILER ALERT]

OF MICE AND MEN

John Steinbeck's classic about the Great Depression tells a heartbreaking tale of two friends and their lives as ranch hands. You won't believe what happens in the end. Page 177 will SHOCK you...

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY

What kind of life would you lead if you couldn't grow old or ugly? Would you choose a life of excess? We discuss this here through the Oscar Wilde classic.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Death and evil run afoul as murder grips the Orient Express. It's up to Hercule Poirot to figure it out before it's too late. Legendary writer Agatha Christie weaves a gripping story of deceit and justice. What's up with this crazy train?