77: American Greats

Louise and Virginia dive into the famous gothic novel Dracula by Bram Stoker, set against the backdrop of Victorian England and the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania. They discuss the fascinating themes of religion, sexuality and gender. Virginia takes us to the history of the principality of Wallachia ruled by the notorious Vlad the Impaler and Louise talks about the fascinating life of Bram Stoker’s wife, Florence. BooksDracula – by Bram StokerThe Extraordinary Florence Stoker by Karen Brooks https://the-artifice.com/dracula-victorian-woman/https://research.library.kutztown.edu/dracula-studies/vol11/iss1/3/ Other things Television Treasure & Dirt ABC iView Ted Lasso – Series 4 Apple TV+ FilmCinefestOZ Film Festival https://cinefestoz.com/Sweet Milk Lake, a movie directed by Harvey Zielenski  Email [email protected] @diving_in_podcastSong ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy MaherGraphics by Orla Larkin – [email protected] 

Louise and Virginia travel by book to Brazil, Japan, Skiathos and India in this conversation about four very different books translated into English.  How wonderful it is to be absorbed in a book that was originally written in Japanese, Katharevousan Greek, Kannadan or Portuguese, and to absorb the culture and social mores of the people of a foreign country.  All four of these books are excellent. Louise and Virginia also chat about two very different television shows they’ve been watching.BooksThe Murderess by Alex Papadiamantis, translated by Peter LeviOn Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated by Padma ViswanathanThe Keeper of the Camphor Tree by Keigo Higashimo, translated by Jordan TaylorHeart Lamp by Banu Mushtag, translated by Deepa BhasthiTVDallas Cowboys CheerleadersRivalsInstagram @diving_in_podcastSong ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy MaherGraphics by Orla Larkin – [email protected]

Louise and Virginia dive deep into historical witch trials, told through four fictional stories, based on real events from the 17th and 18th centuries. They discuss the fact that much of the ignorance and prejudice against women in particular,  sadly remains in the 21st century. On a lighter note they have also been diving into two great TV shows. Books The Witching Tide by Margaret MeyerThe Wax Child by Olga RavnThe Names of a Hare by Bernice BarryThe Last Witch of Scotland by Philip Paris TV The Dry  The Other Bennett Sister Instagram @diving_in_podcastSong ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy MaherGraphics by Orla Larkin – [email protected]

Louise and Virginia discuss five very different books. Two very character-driven, interior novels, two set on a dream island, and one classic set during the first French Revolution. They also discuss two great shows currently streaming.BooksThe Things We Never Say by Elizabeth StroutWelcome to Glorious Tuga by Francesca SegalIsland Calling by Francesca SegalThe Palm House by Gwendolyn RileyThe Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness OrczyOther thingsLegendsBergeracInstagram @diving_in_podcastSong ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy MaherGraphics by Orla Larkin – [email protected]

Louise and Virginia discuss five completely different books this time, some recent releases, and one old. They randomly chose to read books without any planned theme this time, but interestingly all five books feature mothers who impact their children in very different ways.BooksTime of the Child by Niall WilliamsInfidelity and Other Affairs by Kate LeggeRachel Ray by Anthony TrollopeMother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati RoyOrdinary Human Failings by Megan NolanOther thingsO Now by Niall Williams – BBC Sounds appPatience, Series two – ABC iViewFilm – I SwearInstagram @diving_in_podcastSong ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written andperformed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy MaherGraphics by Orla Larkin – [email protected]

Louise and Virginia discuss two big novels by Western Australian Living Treasure, Tim Winton, which reflect his, and our, changing concerns over a 35 year period. There’s much to think about here.On a lighter note Virginia has a new member of her family who is causing chaos!  Lou and Virginia also discuss a few TV shows and a podcast they’ve been diving into.BooksCloudstreetJuiceTVRunawayHow to Get to Heaven from BelfastScarpettaThe House of DynamitePodcastNot Stupid Instagram @diving_in_podcastSong ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy MaherGraphics by Orla Larkin – [email protected]

Louise and Virginia had a lot of fun and laughs discussing the first two novels in William Boyd’s trilogy. Gabriel’s Moon and The Predicament are both great stories about an accidental spy set against the background of actual events in the 1960s, and there was much to discuss. They also talk about a couple of other things they’ve been watching and enjoying.BooksGabriel’s MoonThe Predicament FilmThe Rivals of Amziah KingStreamingScoop - NetflixA Prince No More - StanEmail [email protected] @diving_in_podcastSong ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy MaherGraphics by Orla Larkin – [email protected]

Louise and Virginia loved discussing two authors who are surely two of America's great literary treasures. BooksThe Grapes of Wrath by John SteinbeckSula by Toni MorrisonOther thingsCurtis Brown Creative writing courses, LondonTelevisionWelsh television seriesThe One that Got Away ( 2025)Keeping Faith ( 2017-2021)Hinterland (2013)Email [email protected] @diving_in_podcastSong ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy MaherGraphics by Orla Larkin – [email protected]

Louise and Virginia discuss two Jonathon Coe books, both of which reflect life, politics, culture, and society in the United Kingdom, past and present, as Coe always does so brilliantly. BooksMiddle England by Jonathon CoeBourneville by Jonathon Coe Other things‘Personal Curriculum Tok’ Television Human,  ABC iViewUnder Salt Marsh, Binge Email [email protected] @diving_in_podcastSong ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy MaherGraphics by Orla Larkin – [email protected] 

Louise and Virginia dive deep into all thing’s books for Teen Readers, books categorised ‘Young Adult’ but marketed to teenagers.  They discuss the creation of the category, whether publishers should provide some sort of classification system, or content advice as well as four great books and one book that, whilst very gripping,  is surely mis-categorised - to Virginia’s dismay!  As always they finish the conversation with a few other things they’ve been diving into recently. BooksReturn to Sender by Lauren DraperFive Survive by Holly JacksonBear by Kiri LightfootWhat’s Murder Between Friends by Meg Gatland-VenessMy Family and Other Suspects by Kate Emery Other thingsJournalTok Television Three Families – ABC iView FilmRental Family Email [email protected] @diving_in_podcastSong ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy MaherGraphics by Orla Larkin – [email protected]