Hardcore Literature, hosted by Benjamin McEvoy, is a book club podcast that works through the great books of world literature, from Shakespeare and Homer to Nietzsche and Kafka. The show has 91 episodes published roughly monthly, with typical episodes around 88 minutes. Estimated downloads are 5,000 to 12,000 per episode, with an estimated sponsorship rate of $90 to $300 per episode.
A dedicated literary audience reading the great books alongside one host
- Rated 4.8 on Apple Podcasts from 552 ratings, with most ratings at five stars
- Consistent back catalogue of 91 episodes covering Shakespeare, Homer, Tolstoy and more
- Long-form episodes around 88 minutes give a sponsor room for a full host-read
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- solo monologue, literary analysis, episode reading guide
- Tone
- earnest, scholarly
- Language
- English
- Production
- Clean, edited audio
- Typical length
- 80 to 100 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- None yet
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- Yes
Episode descriptions ask listeners to join the Patreon book club at patreon.com/hardcoreliterature; no sponsor mentions found in the feed.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Feed is not flagged explicit; episode titles cover classic literature such as Hamlet, King Lear and Hedda Gabler with no adult content flagged.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | benjaminmcevoy.libsyn.com/website |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1485574125 |
| RSS feed | benjaminmcevoy.libsyn.com/rss |
Benchmark score: 13 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Ep 91 - The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame) | 2026-08-14 | 1 h 43 min |
| Ep 90 - How to Live the Great Books: Life-Changing Reading Habits | 2026-03-07 | 1 h 52 min |
| Ep 89 - Book Club Schedule for 2026 | 2026-01-01 | 1 h 44 min |
| Ep 88 - Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson) | 2025-12-07 | 1 h 48 min |
| Ep 87 - Appreciating Shakespeare on My Birthday | 2025-03-17 | 1 h 25 min |
| Ep 86 - Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare) | 2025-02-23 | 1 h 22 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 66 days ago, a new one about every 25 days.
Welcome to your new favourite book club. If you enjoy deep dives into the greatest books ever written, you will love Hardcore Literature. Provocative poems, evocative epics, and life-changing literary analyses. We don't just read the great books - we live them. Together we'll suck the marrow out of Shakespeare, Homer, and Tolstoy. We'll relish the most moving art ever committed to the page and…
About Hardcore Literature
Hardcore Literature is a book club podcast hosted by Benjamin McEvoy that works through the great books of world literature, including Shakespeare, Homer, Tolstoy, Kafka and Nietzsche. The feed lists 91 episodes published roughly every 25 days, with a median episode length of about 88 minutes, according to the RSS feed. The website describes the show as a deep dive into provocative poems, epics and literary analyses.
Apple Podcasts shows a 4.8 average rating from 552 ratings. The show has no sponsors visible in the feed; it asks listeners to support it through a Patreon book club. Listener figures are not published, so the estimate of 5,000 to 12,000 downloads per episode is inferred from the rating count and show age.
At an estimated $18 to $25 per 1,000 downloads, a host-read mid-roll would cost roughly $90 to $300 per episode. The show suits book publishers, independent bookshops and education providers looking to reach readers of classic literature.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Hardcore Literature can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Hardcore Literature
How much does Hardcore Literature charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on an estimated 5,000 to 12,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll is roughly $90 to $300 per episode on Starbooked's rate basis. Exact pricing depends on the placement and the show's current audience.
What is Hardcore Literature about?
Hardcore Literature is a book club podcast that reads and discusses classic works of literature, such as Shakespeare, Homer, Tolstoy and Kafka. Each episode offers a deep analysis of one book or poem.
How do I contact Hardcore Literature about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can also be booked through Starbooked directly.
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