In this our premier episode we explore Roald Dahl's seminal classic tale The Witches. In doing so we also take a somewhat critical peek at the cinematic adaptation.

The Witches - Roald Dahl

In episode two we delve into the Ranger's Apprentice series by Australian author John Flanagan. Book one of the series The Ruins of Gorlan is cause for some contentious discussion around bullying and the nature of justice.

The Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan - John Flanagan

Join us this episode in Enid Blyton's Enchanted Wood. We forage a little deeper to see if this children's favourite and sales juggernaut is of sufficient sustenance for the Tumnus crew.   

We also seek the balance between acceptable modernisation and losing the essence, discuss responsible parenting and Pat throws his hat in the ring in the controversial field of young adult fiction related relationship advice. 

The Enchanted Wood - Enid Blyton

Join us in this episode as we take a smouldering look at Stephenie Meyer's smash hit book Twilight. We also examine the blockbuster movie and put the tenth anniversary gender switched Life and Death version under the microscope.

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer

Join us in this episode on the Greek island of Corfu as we meet ten year old Gerald Durrell and his eclectic relations in My Family and Other Animals. We're inspired by Gerald's childhood autobiography and flip the spotlight briefly to some of our own formative years. 

My Family and Other Animals - Gerald Durrell

It's doom and gloom this episode as we immerse ourselves in the lives of the newly orphaned Baudelaire children in Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning. Opinions are divided on this smash hit book. How will the 2004 film adaptation featuring Jim Carrey fare in our reckoning?

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning - Lemony Snicket

We see red this time out as Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 Canadian classic Anne of Green Gables is up for examination. How will it hold up for the smitten Brie and what will three Anne rookies make of this out of their wheelhouse tale? The noteworthy 1985 television mini series also gets a visit.

Anne of Green Gables - Lucy Maud Montgomery

Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is the focus of our attention this episode. Who'd have thought that a forty year old book about a nine year old and his two year old brother could be the cause of such contention? Listen in and find out why. We hope you won't be left shell shocked!

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing - Judy Blume

Prepare yourself for an olfactory overload, as we examine (from a safe distance) Mr Stink, a curious tale by David Walliams. Illustrated by Sir Quentin Blake there are some very obvious parallels to be drawn with one of our favourite authors, you'll never guess who. We also hear from a listener and a wee cannie laddie.

Mr Stink - David Walliams

Fear not listeners, for Tomorrow is no longer a day away. John Marsden's Australian classic, Tomorrow When the War Began is fodder for the hungry Tumnus herd. We devour every word of this first book in a series of seven, then turn our attention to the 2010 film adaptation. There's some enjoyable dalliances with the Aussie vernacular, a heart is crushed with Oz of another kind, and half the team confront some post traumatic stress induced by the gripping writing.

Tomorrow When the War Began - John Marsden

Come aLong as we journey through the first book in Laurie's childhood favourite fantasy series Redwall. What effect will Brian Jacques classic tome have on the other Seeking Tumnus members? 

Redwall - Brian Jacques

We sip once more from the deep well of Roald Dahl in this episode, revisiting the 1982 classic The BFG. It also just so happens to be a brand squaffling new movie by Steven Spielberg, Do we go buggles for it? Does it prove to be whoopsy-splunkers? Or it is it filthsome swigpill? 

Seeking Tumnus

The BFG - Roald Dahl

In this episode we take a look at S.E. Hinton's classic coming of age novel The Outsiders. Join us as we inadvertently insult the elderly quadragenarians, discuss the fine distinctions of processed meat and prove ourselves incapable of matching one Tumnite's boundless enthusiasm. To round things out we'll also take a peek at the star-studded 1983 movie adaptation.

The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton

It's finally time for Sabriel, book one of the bestselling Old Kingdom/Abhorsen series by Australian author Garth Nix! Can this mysteriously positioned fantasy bridge the stalwart gorge or will Bri and Keith plummet to a watery demise in the river of death. It's all a little tributary thanks to the suggestion of a listener, and don't even question for whom the bell tolls, there's plenty of ringing for all. Finally Pat shines a light on his fascination with pop culture, then steps from the light into the... light in another enlightening episode of Seeking Tumnus.

Sabriel - Garth Nix

We discover The Perks of Being a Wallflower this episode, and not just because we've been keeping abreast of Emma Watson in the news; it's a stunning coincidence we assure you! For Stephen Chbosky's 1999 coming-of-age novel we dig deep into the tome, discuss the film and take a sentimental trip down memory lane. So jump in, turn up the music, leave your anxieties at home and we'll take a ride into the infinite together!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky

Ever wondered what it's like to have your own family island? According to E. Lockhart in her 2014 book We Were Liars it's not all it's cracked up to be. She takes us behind the scenes in the lives of the mega-rich social elite, but is it accurate? If you can confirm let us know, and invite us to your island already. We also examine the proliferation of mental health issues in the Seeking Tumnus library before Bri sparks a spirited conversation that quickly takes a detour via a distant galaxy. Pat diagnoses a case of metaphoric haemophilia and Laurie and Keith both agree and disagree. All this and more Whoopi Goldberg than ever before!

We Were Liars - E. Lockhart

Our first interview! We sit down with author James Bradley to discuss his first foray into YA fiction - The Silent Invasion. We talk diversity, influential science fiction, climate change, impending disaster and stinky teddy bears before some clown keeps Seeking Tumnus bingo alive with Stephen King.   

We're so engaged by our guest that Laurie forgets to swear all episode and Keith neglects the most powerful man in the universe. Bri gets a little giggly and Pat seeks some writing advice to help kickstart his stalled erotic romance novel!

The Silent Invasion - James Bradley

On this slightly out of date episode of Seeking Tumnus the crew dissect the slightly out of print Master of Murder by prolific young adult fiction author Christopher Pike. Pop on your tencel jeans and flannel and settle in for the long haul ride as this unexpected 90s horror blockbuster episode takes us to darker depths than Keith could ever have imagined. How naive he was when he re-discovered this book and anticipated fun and frivolity ahead.

Turns out some history is better left buried.

Master of Murder - Christopher Pike

Listen in as Bri lights the corners our minds with the 1993 dystopian sci-fi The Giver by Lois Lowry. Questions are answered that maybe shouldn't have been asked as we delve right into not only the book but also the 2014 film adaptation. The Dude abides.

The Giver - Lois Lowry

Fantasy for the fantasy sceptic in this episode as Bri, no wait Laurie, takes us Over Sea, Under Stone with Susan Cooper's first book in The Dark is Rising Sequence. Life imitates art with the 1960s Cornwall treachery bleeding through to modern day suburban Melbourne, in a whodunnit for the ages (Clue: it was Laurie in the spreadsheet with 
die schnellen finger). You'd be barking mad to miss this one, because in the end we're still fools for the holy grail.

Over Sea, Under Stone - Susan Cooper

It was in the spring of 2017 that Seeking Tumnus foolishly decided to read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Little did the unsuspecting populace know that their dams, levees and waterways were simply inadequate for the deluge that would follow. Can the stone eggs in Patrick's heart be cracked open? Will Keith's run of average ratings come to an end? Is Bri still dirty about Laurie's book thievery? To what degree can Laurie mangle his favourite non-English language? Find out here meine Damen und Herren!

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

Seasonal greetings to all in this completely un-Christmassy episode of Seeking Tumnus, where instead of looking at a work of Young Adult fiction we dissect a big screen adaptation of one; Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief, directed by Brian Percival. Discover which Tumnite couldn't stomach the 2013 film and hear who has a bee in their bonnet regarding books vs movies. You'll also learn who has complete and utter disdain for the Grammys. Tune in for the final episode of Seeking Tumnus in 2017.

The Book Thief - Film (2013)

This episode we wrinkle our brows and dive in to Madeleine L'Engle's science fiction/fantasy (depending on who you ask) classic A Wrinkle In Time.
Will we escape IT and Camazotz or will it leave us comatose?
With a big screen, big budget release it's a hot , hot topic but Seeking Tumnus wonder Whatsit really all about, Who is going to see it and Which age group it's intended for?

Listen in now!

A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle

This episode we’re delighted to be joined by the wonderful Steph Bowe, author of the 2018 CBCA notable contemporary YA title, Night Swimming. This is her third book, her first published at the remarkable age of 16. Listen in to find out who acts the goat, shoe-horning in a supposedly popular anthropomorphic series. Bri grinds Pat’s gears with an alleged geo-brag before we dip into Steph’s favourite children’s and YA titles. Doe be shore to join us, this episode can’t be bleat!

Night Swimming - Steph Bowe

It has been far too long coming, but finally we address Ursula K Le Guin's influential classic A Wizard of Earthsea. What's in a name? Find out as we forge ahead into the meditative reflective waters of Earthsea, a mere 50 years after the words found their way to paper. We never said we were punctual!

A Wizard of Earthsea - Ursula K. Le Guin

You've seen it everywhere! Laurie got it as a Christmas present! Recommended to us by nobody!
It sounds like the perfect opportunity for Laurie to out-Brog himself. This episode we review book one of the best-selling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas. Join us for a laugh and another exciting game from Keith!

Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas

In case there weren’t already enough reasons to hate him, he’s now stealing beloved soft toys and using your Snakes & Ladders set without permission. This episode, we examine Judith Kerr’s semi-autobiographical delight, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. 

For some of us this was a heartfelt glimpse into the life of a WWII-era family of refugees; for another, a rare chance to complain that the book wasn’t set wholly in Castle Wolfenstein.

Join us as we try to come to some kind of vague, bitter consensus, and get distracted by one Tumnite's recent forays into artistic territory.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit - Judith Kerr

In this emotionally charged and erotic interlude, Pat has an intimate chat with Australian comedy duo Hamish and Andy about the podcast, writing erotica, reading erotica, storing erotica and YA and children's fiction.

Hamish and Andy - In Conversation

To make up for the longer than usual time between episodes this Pat hosted special brings with it not one but two book reviews. First off the rank is the second book in Australian author James Bradley's Change Trilogy; The Buried Ark. We spoke to James in an earlier episode about the first in the series, The Silent Invasion. Next up is A.J. Betts visionary science fiction title, Hive. In the midst of all this dystopian exploration Pat launches a stunning new game, Dystopi-yeah. Listen in to find out who wins the coveted prize.

The Buried Ark - James Bradley & Hive - A.J. Betts

In this our 50th episode we go back to the well, the well trodden, well read, well written and much loved Harry Potter series. It's book two, The Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. As well as giving you our thoughts on the officially lowest rated (on Good Reads) book in the original series we also briefly discuss the movie and have some potentially fun Potterverse games up our wizardly sleeves; Wand based trivia and a return of Laurie's divisive 'Would You Rather' segment.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling

Holy smokes, it's been a little while, hasn't it? This episode sees a triumphant return to all things weird and wizardish, as we throw back to Alan Garner's 1960 classic, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. We do our best argue about the pronunciation of the title for less than half of the episode, and, at least by that metric, we consider our 51st outing to be a qualified success. Put on your robe and wizard hat and join us on this happy occasion.

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen

Keith's contemporary selection takes some of the Seeking Tumnus crew outside of their comfort zones, but fear not as this one is not by Christopher Pike. Instead it's Karen M. McManus's 2019 thriller Two Can Keep A Secret. Join us as we do our very best to not reveal the killer, or killers or was there even any death at all? You'll need to listen in to find out, or you know, read the book and then when you do listen in you'll already know and this episode will be so much better. You'll also find out just what a Marshmallow is, and who amongst the crew confesses to being one... ahh sweet sweet mystery, where have you been?

Two Can Keep a Secret - Karen M. McManus

A podcast where we revisit the books of our youth, and, on alternating episodes, explore the uncanny wilds of contemporary adolescent fiction.

Seeking Tumnus

Popular tracks