Gus: The Life and Opinions of the Last Raffles' Banded Langur

The Asian Bookshelf discusses Jon Gresham’s debut novel, Gus: The Life & Opinions of the Last Raffles’ Banded Langur (Epigram Books 2024).

Gus: The Life and Opinions of the Last Raffles' Banded Langur

Gus: The Life & Opinions of the Last Raffles’ Banded Langur (Epigram Books 2024)

Presenter Devika Misra, and writer, T.A. Morton, talk to Jon about his debut dystopian novel, Gus: The Life & Opinions of the Last Raffles’ Banded Langur, nature’s response to the world we have created, the role of the novel, social media, talking animals, the local and the universal, laughter, Grand Theft Auto set in Singapore with raging monkeys, and wildness in literature.

 

Books mentioned

Gus: The Life & Opinions of the Last Raffles’ Banded Langur, Jon Gresham (Epigram Books 2024)

The Odyssey, Homer, Trans. Emily Wilson (Norton 2017)

Ulysses by the Merlion, Edwin Thumboo (Heinemann 1979)

Joseph Campbell’ Hero’s Journey, which Gus’s journey & the novel do not follow

For critiques of the Campbell Monomyth see here, The Heroine’s Journey: Woman’s Quest for Wholeness, Maureen Murdock (Shambhala 1990), 45 Master Characters, Victoria Lynn Schmidt (Writer’s Digest Books 2001), here and here. There is a need for less individualistic, Eurocentric, heteronormative “hero’s journeys” in literature.

 

Other links

More about Gus on Jon’s website

 

On animals talking:

The Animals in That Country, Laura Jean McKay (Scribe 2020)

Fox 8, George Saunders (Random House 2013)

26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss, Kij Johnson (Clarkesworld Issue 150 – March 2019)

The Evolution of Trickster Stories Among the Dogs of North Park After the Change, Kij Johnson (Coyote Road: Trickster Tales 2007)

Elmer, Gerry Alanguilan (Epigram Books 2011)

Elizabeth Costello, JM Coetzee (Vintage 2004)

Description

Presenter Devika Misra, and writer, T.A. Morton talk to cohost Jon Gresham, about his debut dystopian novel, Gus: The Life and Opinions of the Last Raffles’ Banded Langur.

Hosts

Devika Misra

Jon Gresham

T.A. Morton

Disclaimer:

This podcast is provided as a public service. It is for informational purposes only, for readers and writers across Asia. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly those of each individual speaker and are not in any way the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Asian Bookshelf team. The references made, are not an endorsement or direct recommendation by the Asian Bookshelf. The Asian Bookshelf Team consists of Tracey Morton, Jon Gresham and Devika Misra and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, injuries, losses or damages arising from the display or use of information in this podcast or on our website. The Asian Bookshelf makes no representation, nor any warranty regarding the completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness of any content presented by any guest hosts, guests or authors, or other information contained in each podcast or its site. The information contained in each podcast and on its site is provided on an “as is” basis. The Asian Bookshelf name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner.