Clyde Griffiths is off and running - almost literally - as he begins his new bellhop duties. What an exciting turn of events for that young lad! Meanwhile, a domestic crisis hits the Black household. Young people in disarray on this week's episode of Obscure. Support the show! And get episodes early and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 Episode 8 - Boston Garters at the Haberdashers

Clyde Griffiths is about to make his fortune. The bellhop job is his, and you won't believe the sums at play. Benefits and salaries totaling $48 dollars a week. Plus meals! Plus a handsome uniform! A fella could set himself up right with that kind of dough. Things are looking up indeed for old Clyde Griffiths. Good for him. As for your host, he's suffering from insomnia. More at https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 Episode 7 - Clean Under Your Fingernails and Behind Your Ears

Big doings there in KC, MO for Clyde Griffiths. They've gone about as fur as they can go. Clyde is casting his eyes towards greener pastures and stumbles upon the finest hotel in town.. twelve stories tall!!! What an exciting turn of events for a kid looking to break free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 Episode 6 - Everything's Up To Date in Kansas City

An exciting week blooms for your host as UFOs, Rogers and Hammerstein, and poker all make an appearance. Sadly, things aren't so rosy for the Griffiths. Their daughter is out there doing God knows what with James Franco and Clyde wonders whether he, too, might escape. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 Episode 5 - In Defiance of God and Woman

Some heavy-duty chemism in this week's episode as scandal erupts in the Griffiths household! Like the rest of us, poor Hester is just trying to find something to hold onto in this life and finds an unexpected ally... a MASHER!!! PLUS: your host is annoyed at the way Brits infantilize food items. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 Episode 4 - Esta Busta Move

Michael talks too much about his neighborhood and the food he ate in the first part of this episode, so if you want to just go ahead and skip that, he wouldn't blame you. Plus, maybe he was inadvertently offensive. Who knows! But then we get into the book, and we get a peek into the sullen mind of Clyde Griffiths. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 Episode 3 - Mostly About Eating

Some old news and some new news: the old news is that your irascible host celebrated July 4th abroad by taking in a now newish film. Review ahead! Also, we get to know the Griffiths family a bit better, in particular the surly teenage son, Clyde. Spoiler: he continues to be surly. Get early, ad-free access here! https://www.patreon.com/MICHAELIANBLACKSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 Episode 2 - Dioramas in His Head

Welcome to Season 4 of Obscure. This season marks the beginning of our second American novel (our first if, for some reason, you do NOT consider Wuthering Heights an American book). After a restful few months in Rome, your host finds himself in bonny Londontown, excited to begin again. So, let us take the first of what promises to be many steps on what will be a fruitiful American journey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S4 Episode 1 - Our American Journey Begins

Well, we did it. We read every page - nay, every word - of this classic American novel. Now a summary episode to figure out what the hell it is that we read. Would love to hear your opinions as Michael shares his own. Regardless, we will take a little break before Season 4. Enjoy your vacation, class. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 67 - A Wrap-Up

We're in Dublin for the final episode of the reading of Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff seems to be longing for death. In his case, though, it seems like Heathcliff may get his wish. As for Cathy and Hareton, they're on their way to Happy Town, as is your host, who took some edibles before beginning this recording. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 66 - Racing to Beat the Edibles

The penultimate episode of Wuthering Heights is, at last, upon us. Lest you think the book will end without fireworks, think again! Some currant shrubs ignite the fuse and ka-bam! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 65 - I Mean, What Is He, An Ion?!? (Good one, Michael)

Cathy Jr. is hard at work making amends with her stupid cousin Hareton. But don't worry, she doesn't mean anything by calling him so. Will Hareton forgive his cousin? Can two first cousins find their way together in this crazy world? Hard to say, but we all like happy endings, don't we? Well, don't we???https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 64  - When I Call You Stupid, I Don't Mean Anything

Your host arrives in Italy with one question. As for Heathcliff & Co., things are shaking up and shaking out as we zip towards the conclusion of Season 3. Some big changes at Wuthering Heights, all of them in this host's view, a little too convenient. https://www.patreon.com/homeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 63 - What the Hell Are We Doing Here?

The New World gives way to the Old as your host gears up for his extended sojourn to Italia. Some advice: if you're feeling depressed/anxious, best thing to do is to totally upend your life. Chaos almost surely cures chaos. Right? Also, those jerks over at Wuthering Heights are still on their crap. https://www.patreon.com/homeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 62 - Arrivederci

Well, another moody week on the moors. Your host finds himself essentially incapacitated by depression and those dickheads over at Wuthering Heights aren't much helping matters. https://www.patreon.com/homeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 61 - Aspects of Abstracted Silence

If you were wondering if Zillah sucks - she does. More misdeeds, more corruption, and malevolence. Only Cathy Jr. retains her humanity in this morass. And maybe say your goodbyes to Linton while you still can, the schmuck. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 60 - Zillah, What a Pillah

Everything's a bummer. Michael's a bummer. Here's the quote from which the title derives: "Depression is being colorblind and constantly told how colorful the world is.”https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 59 - Like Being Colorblind

We’re shooting down stuff faster than the aliens can send it up there. Michael briefly recaps the airborne events of the previous week and then, at long last, somebody dies in the great American novel, “Wuthering Heights”https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 58 - Up, Up, and Away

It's an audiophile's dream episode! Marvel at the many moods! There's kidnapping and forced marriage, imprisonment, and bogs! BOGS!!!https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S3 Episode 57 - Chestnuts on Window Sills

Rebellion is on the docket as Cathy Jr. finds herself in quite the predicament over there at Wuthering Heights. There's kidnapping! Forced marriage! Fictionalized, theoretical domestic violence! It's positively savage!!! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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