Dear Reader

In the penultimate episode of this season, I am joined by Harry "Beep Boop" Chute to discuss the 2004 cinematic epic Troy. Is Troy influenced by the Iraq War? What role does, or should, sex play in an historic retelling? How much screentime is necessary to make a romantic couple believable? Can we become emotionally invested in Patroclus/Achilles if there is #nohomo? Listen and find out.  Sub...

In the seventh episode of this season, I examine the 2018 Netflix and BBC One series Troy: Fall of a City. Can a prodigal be redeemed more than once? How do immigrants add to the glory of Troy? Listen and find out.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-podcast/id1585429797 Don’t use iTunes? Use this link for your podcast catcher:...

In the sixth episode of this season, I examine two Italian cinema adaptations of Homer's Iliad: 1911's "The Fall of Troy" (La Caduta di Troia) and 1962's "The Fury of Achilles" (L'ira di Achille). Are the Italians more interested in scale or storytelling? Listen and find out. The conversation on how an Italian treatment on this epic compares with an American one will continue in the season finale....

In the fifth episode, and in association with Required Reading and Two True Freaks, I am joined by Tom Panarese as we look at the play "Troilus and Cressida" by William Shakespeare. This is considered a problem play...in more ways than one! How well does the bard balance romance with political intrigue? Listen and find out! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/de...

In the fourth episode, I examine the Trojan War as it appears on two disparate television shows: "Phineas and Ferb" and "Xena: Warrior Princess." How does a wooden T-Rex relate to the Trojan War? Does Helen actually gain autonomy? Listen and find out! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-podcast/id1585429797 Don’t use iTunes? Use this link...

In the third episode, I am joined by Professor Carolyn Cocca as we discuss the 2011 novel The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Is the love affair between Achilles ("Best of Greeks") and Patroclus ("Best of the Myrmidons") realistic? Listen and find out! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-podcast/id1585429797 Don’t use iTunes? Us...

In the second episode, I continue to look at the source material The Iliad by Homer and translated by Emily Wilson. I examine the second act (Books X-XVI) and third act (Books XVII-XXIV) of the story, discussing key or interesting moments after I give a synopsis of each Book. Is Helen, daughter of Zeus, really to blame for the Trojan War? Listen and find out! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: http...

In the third season premiere, I look at the source material The Iliad by Homer and translated by Emily Wilson. After providing background on the author, and historical/cultural/mythological context, I run through the major players within the epic. I examine the first act of the story (Books I-IX), discussing key or interesting moments after I give a synopsis of each Book. Is Helen, daughter of Zeu...

DEAR READER, SEASON 3! This season I will wage war with mortals, gods, goddesses, and the Fates themselves by examining Homer's Iliad and the works it has inspired.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-podcast/id1585429797 Don’t use iTunes? Use this link for your podcast catcher: https://feeds.feedburner.com/dear-reader-podcast...

In the fourth episode and season finale, I look at the most recent cinematic adaptation of The Women from 2008. After giving details about the production, I provide some reviews of the film at the time. I also briefly speak about the 1977 adaptation "Frauen in New York," which I was unable to view. In the second part of the episode, I am joined by Shayna as we discuss various aspects of the film a...

In the third episode of this season, I look at the second adaptation of The Women entitled "The Opposite Sex," hitting the silver screen in 1956. After giving details about the production, I also provide some reviews of the film at the time. In the second part of the episode, I am joined by Harrison Chute (a man!) as we discuss various aspects of the film and ask the big question of whether it is...

In the second episode of this season, I look at the first adaptation of The Women, hitting the silver screen in 1939. After giving details about the production, I also provide some reviews of the film at the time. In the second part of the episode, I am joined by Professor Carolyn Cocca as we discuss various aspects of the film and ask the big question of whether it is feminist or misogynist. As a...

In the second season premiere, I look at the source material The Women by Clare Boothe Luce. After speaking on the playwright and historical context, I give a synopsis of the play and take a closer look at the characters, themes, literary style, and critiques. Is this a feminist or misogynist play? Listen and find out! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-...

DEAR READER, SEASON 2! This season I will explore the 1936 play The Women by Clare Boothe Luce and its three cinematic adaptations from 1939, 1956, and 2008. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-podcast/id1585429797 Don’t use iTunes? Use this link for your podcast catcher: https://feeds.feedburner.com/dear-reader-podcast Also available on Spoti...

Season Finale! Grab your Playbills and pens and meet me at the stage door of the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, as I look at the history of, and review, the 2001 Broadway musical "Jane Eyre,"starring Marla Schaffel and James Barbour, with music and lyrics by Paul Gordon, and book by John Caird. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-podcast/id158542979...

LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED: SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT Grab your wooden stakes and prophylactics and prepare yourselves for a WILD ride! In the first half, I discover what Jane Eyre would be like as a vampire hunter by looking at Jane Slayre by Sherri Browning Erwin (and Charlotte Bronte). The second half heats up by several HUNDRED degrees as I do some dramatic readings from Jane Eyrotica by Kare...

In this episode, I tackle theatrical adaptations of Jane Eyre from outside of England! For the first part (no subtitles), I look at "Haza Al Ragol Oheboh" (This Man I Love) released in Egypt in 1962. In the second part (yay! subtitles), I look at "Sangdil" (Stone-hearted), released in India in 1952. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-podcast/...

In this episode I tackle graphic novels and manga! For the first part, I am joined by QnoA co-host Harrison/Harry/Harold the Fishman Chute as we look at the 2012 Jane by Aline Brosh McKenna and Ramon K. Perez. In the second part, I look at 2015's Manga Classics Jane Eyre by SunNeko Lee and Crystal S. Chan. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-p...

In this episode, I pit the 1944 and 2011 film versions of "Jane Eyre" against each to see which is the more faithful (and successful) adaptation! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-podcast/id1585429797 Don’t use iTunes? Use this link for your podcast catcher: https://feeds.feedburner.com/dear-reader-podcast Also available on Spotify, Stitcher...

In this episode, I interview poet Rita Maria Martinez regarding her collection of Jane Eyre poetry entitled The Jane and Bertha in Me. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-podcast/id1585429797 Don’t use iTunes? Use this link for your podcast catcher: https://feeds.feedburner.com/dear-reader-podcast Also available on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Mu...

In this episode I tackle Star Trek and zombies! For the first part, I look at three episodes from Star Trek: Voyager which include scenes from Captain Janeway's holonovel. See the mash-up of the scenes here. In the second half of the episode, I examine Jacques Tourneur's "I Walked with a Zombie" from 1943. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-p...

Finally! An episode on books! I examine and review Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne (2018) and Mrs. Rochester's Ghost by Lindsay Marcott (2021). Are these re-imaginings "successful"? How do they fare on my Jane Eyre rubric? Do I deem them worthy of the classification of "literature"? Tune in and find out! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-reader-a-jane-eyre-pod...

In this episode I tackle silent films and radio adaptations of Jane Eyre. For the first part I take on the difficult task of examining two different silent films...that I have not seen! I know, I know! The 1910 version starring Irma Taylor (Jane) and Frank Hall Crane (Rochester) has been lost to time and Woman and Wife (aka The Lifted Cross) from 1918 starring Alice Brady (Jane) and Eliot Dexter (...

In this inaugural first episode, I look at the source material Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Why do I love it so? Why do people despise it? Why does it endure? I answer these questions before diving into a plot synopsis and giving historical context to the novel. I then examine the Classical trope of "dutiful wife vs sorceress," three varied types of Christians, Jane's heroine's journey, and more...

DEAR READER, A JANE EYRE PODCAST! A new limited series podcast examining the legacy of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre through the lens of its varied and various interpretations. The series will launch with a look at the source material, investigating why it has endured for so long, why people love or hate it, and whether Mr. Rochester is an abusive love interest. In the coming months, I will pair tw...