In today’s episode, we’re wrapping up Wharton in Winter with a conversation about The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. We focus on Undine and question whether she’s a signature unlikable heroine or an anti-hero. Our conversation also digs into the other dynamic characters, themes of motherhood, greed, marriage, business, and Edith’s incredible writing. Every plot point builds to a bigger narrative in this timely classic. At the end of the episode, we share our complementary pairings , and we hope you add one to your TBR pile!
If you loved our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have even more content to enjoy over in our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship and talk about books with a smart, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit patreon.com/novelpairings.
Shows Mentioned:
Mad Men
Breaking Bad
Selling Sunset
Downton Abbey
Books Mentioned:
Italo Calvino
Vanity Fair by William Thackeray
The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
There Is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset
Emma by Jane Austen
Free Food For Millionares by Min Jun Lee
These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore
Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage by Stephanie Coontz
One Woman Show by Christine Coulson
Wahala by Nikki May
Trust by Hernan Diaz
16. Passing by Nella Larsen and books about complicated sisterhood
15. Literary Throwbacks and reading YA for fun: a chat with Alli Hoff Kosik of The SSR Podcast
14. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith and light summer reads with literary nostalgia
13. Quarterly Favorites: The Best Books We Read in Spring 2020
12. Beloved by Toni Morrison and books inspired by Morrison's Great American Novel
11. Summer Reading Preview including fast-paced classics, classic YA, and epic adventures for every staycation mood
10. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and books that feature female friendships and motherhood
9. Roman Fever by Edith Wharton and book recommendations for fans of Gossip Girl and Gilmore Girls
8. Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare and the magic of Young Adult romance novels
7. Celebrating National Poetry Month with reading tips and poem recommendations
6. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro and books for Downton Abbey fans
5. English Major Lingo and getting academic with the feminist and gender lens
4. Comforting Classics and other absorbing reads
3. The Awakening by Kate Chopin and books that feature feminine self-discovery
2. The New Emma Movie and our favorite Austen adaptations
1. Emma by Jane Austen and our favorite modern romantic heroines
0. Introducing Novel Pairings, a podcast dedicated to making the classics readable, relevant, and fun
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Voice of Mushfik
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
The Story of Mankind
Pollyanna
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends