From the Lighthouse

Sara-Mae Tuson and Heyer Today

This week, Stephanie talks to Sara-Mae Tuson about her upcoming podcast series, Heyer Today, which will begin airing in December. They talk about the ongoing appeal of Heyer, the delights of rereading, and what happens when Stephen Fry accidentally sends you an email meant for his assistant.

Crowdfunding site: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fable-gazers-podcast-company-season-2-fundraiser#/updates/all

 

1819: An Extraordinarily Prolific Year for Keats

The romantic poet John Keats wrote most of his most famous poetry in the year 1819: 200 years ago this year. This week, Stephanie is joined by Dr Geoffrey Payne for an expansive discussion about Keats's life, death, poetry, and why 1819 was such an extraordinarily prolific year for him.

Interview with Ellie Crookes on Guinevere and Arthurian Literature

Guinevere has always been one of the most popular, and the most contested, characters of the Arthurian legends. This week, Stephanie is joined by Ellie Crookes to talk about the place of Guinevere in Arthurian literature, and why the nineteenth century loved to represent her as a nun.

Jenna Guillaume's What I Like About Me: A Daggy Caravan Park Romance

Jenna Guillaume's debut novel, What I Like About Me, is a YA romantic comedy set at that most Australian of settings: the daggy caravan park. This week, Stephanie is joined by Jenna to discuss romance, body positivity, beauty pageants, Twitter, Dirty Dancing, and why all dresses should have pockets.

 

Jenna's Twitter account is @JennaGuillaume and her novel What I Like About Me is available at all good bookshops now. 

Best Books of 2018 (re-uploaded)

This week, Stephanie, Michelle and Jimmy finally gather to talk about their favourite books (and film!) of 2018. Jimmy talks crime movies, Michelle talks about her love of deep, depressing books, and Stephanie cheats wildly.

Beloved and Controversial: The Works of Enid Blyton

Enid Blyton was a part of many childhoods, as the author of such classics as The Enchanted Forest, the Famous Five and the Naughtiest Girl in the School series. However, in recent years she's come under increasing scrutiny for the racism and sexism apparent in many of her stories. This week, Stephanie and Lee discuss school stories, food, women, and all things Blyton. 

Femme Fatales, Marlowe and Gangsters: The (slightly) Nonsensical Plots of Chandler's The Big Sleep

The Big Sleep is a classic of crime noir: the kind of fiction that transports you to a seedy LA gin joint in the 1940s. This week, Lee and Stephanie discuss femme fatales, Marlowe, gangsters, and slightly nonsensical plots.

Murderers, Truth vs. Fiction, and a car full of snakes in Truman Capote's "The Handcarved Coffins"

Truman Capote brought true crime to literature with his "nonfiction novel" In Cold Blood. In this podcast, Lee and Stephanie discuss a lesser-known piece of Capote non-fiction, the short story "The Handcarved Coffins". They discuss murderers, the line between truth and fiction, and a car full of snakes. 

Lexi Freiman's Inappropriation

Lexi Freiman's debut novel, Inappropriation, is a hilarious biting satire on identity politics, social media, high school, cyborgs, and pretty much everything else you can imagine. This week, Stephanie chats to Lexi about her novel, writing funny books, feminism, and high school formals. 

The Myth, the Heights, the Poetry and the Dogs: 200 Years of Emily Bronte

Emily Bronte was born on 30 July 1818: 200 years ago this month. To celebrate her 200th birthday, Stephanie was joined by Dr Lee O'Brien to discuss the Bronte myth, Wuthering Heights, poetry, and dogs.