In this episode Jade saves you the slog of reading Homer's Odyssey by giving a background to the epic tale as well as discussing all the juicy bits.  She discusses themes, characters, cultural impact and if there is any truth behind the story... 

This episode also features a discussion with the Barely Bookish podcast!

Barely Bookish website https://barelybookish.com/

Barely Bookish podcast Odyssey series ft. me! :https://podcasts.apple.com/ng/podcast/53-the-odyssey-1-w-about-a-book-podcast/id1532794710?i=1000536976602

Books Mentioned:

The Odyssey by Emily Wilson: https://www.emilyrcwilson.com/the-odyssey

Andrew Lang : Tales of Troy and Greece  https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780571333509?gC=8ad8757ba&gclid=CjwKCAjw-L-ZBhB4EiwA76YzOZMD61y-VICQmknXUkn-pTCkwscYxtr0PGwFGknZ_li6my3YCheHwhoCSY4QAvD_BwE

Helpful Resources:

Course Hero Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV-a_AtlilM&list=PLz_ZtyOWL9BTT6cHpSFM3HnK9ongAYDBl

The Science behind The Odyssey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVo225pUaSA

The Search for Ithaca : https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/odysseys-end-the-search-for-ancient-ithaca-112739669/

In this episode Jade explores the wonderful world of Roald Dahl.  she talks about his time as a Cadbury's taste tester, a spy, and his valuable contributions to medicine. She also discusses the real life inspirations behind some of his greatest stories.

   Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aboutabook.podcast/ 
    Tessa Dahl Article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2186961/Tessa-Dahl-Roald-Dahls-daughter-life-father-best-selling-childrens-author.html
His complicated legacy: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/roald-dahl-s-family-apologises-for-author-s-anti-semitism-1.4428979
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-roald-dahl-antisemitism-children-20201228-viaclofxo5cahi6berf6q35wny-story.html

In this episode Jade and her sister discuss what is considered to be the first young adult novel.  they chat about what life was like for teens in 60s America, what inspired the 15 year old S.E Hinton to write the novel and shoutout  our favorite  YA books


follow on instagram for some bookish history:   https://www.instagram.com/aboutabook.podcast/

follow my sister's tattoo page! : https://www.instagram.com/inked.bycharlie/?hl=en

MERRY CHRISTMAS YA FILTHY ANIMALS 
in this episode Jade talks about the history behind  Christmas caroling and the story behind some of her favourite carols! 

last years festive episode:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vyWUxbwp5nsugac0zof3R?si=t4scBsGiRhyKbnuL06X8Cw

In this episode Jade chats with @thebookstorianpodcast about Joan Lindsay's gothic novel, Picnic at Hanging rock. we discuss the spooky Australian bush, how it relates to Irish folklore and is there any truth behind it?

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7eC98xFNY55O1OeS4995rG?si=vTffCnbpQKyqCJNwH_0mVg 

https://open.spotify.com/show/6SjwlXC5e8uvPxXE8siyEZ?si=0a2be5c250f748dc

It's been a while since my last episode eh? in this episode I update on what I've been up to and answer some serious and silly questions 

In this episode Jade talks about the historical events from around the world that inspired this dystopian. She also fangirls over Margaret Atwood.

some useful sources!
 A great youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cae8oRaBHeE
Atwood's Masterclass: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/margaret-atwood-teaches-creative-writing
Atwood's podcast with the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b4zf0w
Atwood's article on "What The Handmaid's Tale means in the age of Trump"   https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/10/books/review/margaret-atwood-handmaids-tale-age-of-trump.html
"The legacy of Romania's contraceptive ban" article in The Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/legacy-of-romania-s-contraception-ban-lives-on-1.958842
The Puritans, History.com : https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/puritanism
Soviet Uranium Mines info: http://www.paulbogdanor.com/left/soviet/gulag/nuclear1.html

In this episode Jade chats about how fairies  have been portrayed  throughout history and literature. She also explores some dark folklore about Changelings and chats about Irish Fairy forts with a very special guest. 

*this episode briefly mentions murder and child abuse*

     Lets connect on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aboutabook.podcast/

    Check out the snazzy new website: https://aboutabookpodcast.com/about/

Sources Used:
Magnus Course (2017) Changelings: alterity beyond difference, Folk Life, 55:1, 12-21.

Radford, Edwin, and Mona A. Radford. Encyclopedia of Superstitions, Philosophical Library/Open Road, 2018.

Spyra, Piotr. (2017). Shakespeare and the Demonization of Fairies. Text Matters. 7. 10.1515/texmat-2017-0011.

Parry, Leona A. Is Seeing Believing? Or, is Believing Seeing? an Exploration of the Enduring Belief in Fairies and Little People among Contemporary Persons with Celtic Ancestry, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2013.

Gibson, Marion , and Jo Ann Esra. "Fairy." Shakespeare’s Demonology: A Dictionary. London: Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare, 2017. Arden Shakespeare Dictionaries. Drama Online.

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/ireland/articles/the-story-behind-irelands-fairy-forts-and-where-to-see-them/

http://www.fairyist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/The-Fairy-Census-2014-2017-1.pdf

instagram: @Aboutabook.podcast 

don't forget to follow  on spotify and review on apple podcasts !

In part 2 of her George Orwell special, Jade talks about the historical context behind 1984, where Orwell got his inspiration,  and the books happy ending? she also discusses why this book is still significant in our world today 

This episode is perfect as a study guide, or just for anyone wanting to learn some bookish history! 

Useful Sources: 
"The Ministry of Truth" by Dorian Lynskey 
Mere Mortals Media podcast episode: 1984 


All sound effects are from Freefx.co.uk : https://freesfx.co.uk/Default.aspx