David Cooper (host)

Is it like Dostoevsky, Tolstoy?

Is there a lesser known writer that's more accessible today?

So.

favorite interviews are ones that give you whiplash from smart to serious let's go sorry from smart to stupid let's go to the stupid portion of the interview having an extremely common name there's a certain anonymity of it right like you could commit a crime and a newspaper could report it and if someone searched you probably that hit wouldn't show up as if you had like a very specific name how do you feel about the anonymity of having such a generic name

Now, as someone who teaches literature to students, do you get to experience that moment when a student is just like, aha, I get it.

I now love this stuff, even though they might have just taken it as a BS elective?

So if we were to form a band called the David Coopers, what would be your instrument?

I'm playing the pedal steel, which is like a country western instrument.

Are you doing like Slavic folk ensemble situation?

Like what do you bring into the table here?

You know, the journey into the David Coopers is a journey where I get to learn about myself through the eyes of others.

And I appreciate you joining me on it, David.

Any other deep thoughts that you want to share?

Reflections on having the same name as me?

So I guess what I'm hearing from this story is that I'm your second favorite David Cooper that you've met.

David, it's been a joy having you on the show.

Any other recommendations for people to get into Slavic literature?

Like if I were to pick up a book right now, what would it be?

Sounds exciting.

Well, David Cooper, not myself, I'm not just vain, is a Slavic languages and literatures professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.