Chamomile & Clove

Clovers, It's time to unpick the plot threads of The Black Bird Oracle -- the obvious, the not so obvious, the compelling, and the unfinished. In this episode, we're talking about narrative questions, narrative and narrator choices, and the impact of TBBO on the rest of what we know about the All Souls Universe. Thanks for joining us for TBBO -- it's been fun. If there's another book in the All Souls Universe, would you want us to (a) read it ahead of time (like we did with ADoW/SoN/BoL/TC); (b) read as we record (TBBO); or (c) one of us reads and the other doesn't? Let us know at [email protected]. Take care of each other, Cait & Jen  

Well, well, well, Look at us! We made it to the end of The Black Bird Oracle! We're doing wrap episodes! Welcome to the first of two book-wrap discussion episodes for The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness. In this episode, we will be discussing characters, antagonists and protagonists, character arcs, themes, devices, and symbols. Also, what's going on with birds? Yes we do have a mellow (by our standards) discussion of time. I promise that you won't need prophylactic headache management. xoxo Jen

Happy Sunday, Clovers. So pleased to be with you again. In this episode, we're covering Chapters 24-27 of The Black Bird Oracle. We've reached the end of the story... or have we? In this episode, we're talking about Diana's moral compass, antagonists, putting our protagonist in time out, what TBBO has to say about Higher Magic/Light and Shadow (we aren't entirely sure, guys), that damned creepy-ass doll, and whether the shape of the plot is any clearer at the end of the book. xoxo Cait and Jen

Clovers, Happy Sunday! Welcome back to our discussion of The Black Bird Oracle. We made it to Venice (what), used Ysabeau as a distraction (smart), and conducted a teensy witch heist (wait, again?), but we still haven't quite met the antagonist for this book... or have we? In this episode, we're talking about Diana's character arc (...flatter than we expected?), her moral compass (wobbly), and the possibilities left by the last two chapters in this book. Thanks for joining us! xoxox, Cait and Jen

Clovers, We have made it to part 3, or should we say book 3(?) of The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness. Things are happening fast and we have a plot to finish.  Join us as we discuss family trauma, descriptions of teaching magic, use of kids in stories, favorite theories from the trilogy, and Diana's emotional intelligence (or lack thereof).  xoxo Jen

Happy Sunday(?) Covers! In this episode we are discussing Ch. 19-20 of The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness. There is tea aplenty. It is hot. It is also spicy. We are suddenly serving up some Bishop family secrets with a heavy dollop of trauma. But what else is new at the Bishop house? We are reeling, but so is Diana.  How did we get here? We don't know, but we look forward to seeing what comes next and discussing it with all of you. Hypotheses abound.  As an FYI, episode 131 may be a little late. Cait and I both have some life stuff going on in the next couple of weeks. As always, we will get back to you as soon as we are able.  xoxo Jen

Clovers, Hi, hi. Happy 2025. January is always a bit of an odd, dark time -- we're in a slow season and everything is a little... off. You know, like perhaps the forest behind your family homestead puts off hallucinogenic fumes that take you on a sensual journey full of insects. We're getting ahead of ourselves. In this episode, we're talking about Chapters 17-18 of The Black Bird Oracle and it's a wild ride. There's symbolism, some odd garment choices, sentient hedges, biting fairies that live in your ancestor's hair, and some allusions to Alice in Wonderland that have us asking big questions like, "what drug lives in the Ravenswood?" We hope you enjoy it, Cait and Jen

In this episode, we are discussing chapters 15&16 of The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness. Honestly, we are feeling a bit unmoored by the middle of this book. In the first chapter up for discussion we're in a mystical battle, and in the next chapter we're getting ready for a garden party. Does anyone else have whiplash?

In this episode, Cait and Jen discuss chapters 13 and 14 of The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness. We've quickly gotten over the romp in the woods. We get an official tour of the grounds. We gather ghosts. Matthew and Diana still aren't on the same communication page. We might be having a potluck. Is anyone worried about Tamsy the doll?