Hot and Bothered

While we've been making Live from Pemberley , we've been blessed with a brand new Pride and Prejudice adaptation! We originally covered Fire Island when it was first released with guest Tobin Low . But this week, in honor of its recent Emmy nominations, we're revisiting the film with its writer and star Joel Kim Booster. From Joel, we learn about how Austen maps onto gay culture and hear about som...

Though we've finished our reading of Pride and Prejudice, a true understanding of the text and its cultural impacts wouldn't be complete without a look at its many adaptations. Over the next few months, we'll be looking a few examples and asking the question 'what do these teach us about the original text?' The first episode of this short series is all about Longbourn by Jo Baker, and we were luck...

All ends well in Chapter 61 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss where we leave each character and the true importance of Pemberley. Dr. Claudia Johnson joins us at the end of the episode to discuss comedy and our takeaways from the whole book. Our next episode is June 30th, where we'll be interviewing Jo Baker about her book Longbourn. --- Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if...

Elizabeth and Darcy spread the news of their engagement in Chapters 59 and 60 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's different reactions and the delicious flirting between Lizzy and Darcy. Dr. Sharon Marcus joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the model of sisterly love. Our next episode is June 16th, covering the final chapter – Chapter 61.  -...

Mr. Darcy returns to Longbourn to propose (again) in chapters 57 and 58 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the romance that Austen leaves off the page and the deep self-reflection of these two characters. Dr. Stephanie Paulsell joins us at the end of the episode to discuss her thoughts on the proposal. Our next episode is June 2nd, covering chapters 59 + 60.  --- Don't spend...

Lady Catherine makes a visit to Longbourn in Chapter 56 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss how Lizzy wins the argument and whether Lady Catherine is the true villain of the book. Dr. Susan Fraiman joins us at the end of the episode to discuss Lizzy's obstinacy in this chapter. Our next episode is May 19th, covering chapters 57 + 58.  --- Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but...

Mr. Bingley finally proposes to Jane in Chapters 53 through 55 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the cyclical nature of the book, Jane and Bingley's love match, and whether Mr. Bennet has changed at all. Dr. Laura White joins us at the end of the episode to discuss Jane Austen's Anglicanism. Our next episode is May 5th, covering chapter 56.  --- Don't spend your daughter's d...

As a special bonus episode, we're talking to our former host, Julia Argy, about the allure of reality dating shows and her new book The One . Just as many people dismiss romance novels as ‘trashy books’, there are a lot of TV shows geared at women that get dismissed as ‘trashy television.’ You know what we're talking about, shows like The Bachelor, Married at First Sight, Love is Blind. Shows that...

Lydia and Wickham are married and returned to Longbourn in Chapters 51 and 52 of Pride and Prejudice . With new information about how the wedding went down, Vanessa and Lauren re-evaluate Lydia’s power in the situation and discuss Pride and Prejudice as the ultimate fantasy.  Dr. Amy Harris joins us at the end of the episode to discuss sibling hierarchy and rivalry in Georgian England. Our ne...

Vanessa is joined for a small bonus conversation by Nathalie Folkerts, the director of our upcoming summer camp: Calling All Magnificent People. They explore how Nathalie's background in political organizing found a home in building our camp and discuss some of behind-the-scenes dreaming and decision making that's been happening. If you haven't yet signed up for camp, you can do so on our website...

There is finally news of Lydia and Wickham in Chapters 49 and 50 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss and debate everyone’s reactions to the news. They tackle again a few favorite topics: Mrs. Bennet’s silliness, Mr. Bennet’s wry detachment, and Jane’s naiveté. Dr. Alexander Wakelam joins us at the end of the episode to teach us about gambling and debt in 18th century England. Our n...

We're in the middle of a Patreon drive here on Hot and Bothered, trying to increase our membership by 200 patrons. One of the wonderful things you can find on our Patreon is bonus interviews and extended interviews with experts! We're making this conversation with the brilliant Jennifer Regan-Lefebvre public so you get a sense of what that perk sounds like. Jennifer Regan-Lefebvre is a historian o...

Lizzy and the Gardiners return to Longbourn in Chapters 47 and 48 of Pride and Prejudice . There is no news of Lydia and Wickham yet, but we are reunited with the rest of the Bennets and their theories and stress about the whole situation. Vanessa and Lauren discuss Mr. Bennet’s self-deprecating humor and Mrs. Bennet’s obsession with clothes. Dr. Kimberly A. Hamlin joins us at the end of the episo...

Darcy and Lizzy’s budding friendship (or is it more?) comes to an abrupt end when Lizzy gets a letter from Jane in Chapter 46 of Pride and Prejudice . Lydia and Wickham have run away together and so Lizzy and the Gardiner’s must leave immediately for Longbourn. Vanessa and Lauren discuss whether this plot point counts as a ‘kidnapping’ and whether marriage to Wickham is the best ending for Lydia.&...

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! We're taking time today to share a short interview with Charyti Reiter, Director of Clinical Services at On The Rise . Over the month of February, we're hoping to raise $10k to support their incredible organization. If you haven't already, please check out our fundraiser . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We finally meet Georgiana Darcy in Chapters 44 and 45 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the awkwardness of the Darcy family and Austen's emerging definition of love as Lizzy begins to fall for Darcy at Pemberley. Dr. Chloe Angyal joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the invention of the enemies to lovers trope and its imprint on more modern romcoms. Be sure to check out...

Elizabeth and the Gardiners arrive at Pemberley House in Chapter 43 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the picture of benevolent aristocracy painted by Darcy's housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds. They also discuss Elizabeth’s reaction to Pemberley and to seeing Darcy again.  Darrick Borowski joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the architecture and aesthetics of Pemberley. O...

We're taking a quick pause in reading Pride and Prejudice to deep dive into the life and ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft. We've been bringing up Wollstonecraft a lot throughout this series, wondering how Pride and Prejudice reflects (or rejects) the feminist ideas of the era. This week, Lauren talks to Dr. Charlotte Gordon , author of Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft a...

Beloved co-host of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text , Matt Potts, released his book Forgiveness: An Alternative Account a few weeks ago and it is so! good!! We're very excited to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book - read by Matt himself. You can find the book wherever books are sold, or snag a signed copy from our website ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet butt heads about Lydia in Chapters 40, 41 and 42 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss Mr. Bennet’s parenting, the original sin of the Bennet marriage, and the power of secrets in these chapters. Joanne Begiato joins us at the end of the episode to discuss regency ideas of parenting and family. Our next episode is on January 13th, when we’ll be joined by...

This week we're sharing a special bonus interview with Dr. Emily Nagoski to talk about Lydia and the cultural norms around sexuality in regency England. Emily is a best-selling author, sex educator, and the host of a new podcast – Come As You Are . Stay tuned to the end of the episode for an excerpt of her episode "The Science of Horniness." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

We’re finally headed back to Hertfordshire in Chapter 37, 38 and 39 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the way Darcy’s letter has changed Lizzy and Lydia’s vulgarity. Kristin Samuelian joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the parallels between Lydia and Princess Caroline of Wales. Our next episode is on December 30th, when we’ll be reading Chapters 40 – 42.&nbsp...

Mr. Darcy finds Lizzy and hands her a letter in Chapters 35 and 36 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the ‘romance’ of Darcy’s letter and the way in which it triggers a change in Lizzy. Joanna Rakoff joins us at the end of the episode to discuss coming-of-age novels and the history of letters in literature. Our next episode is on December 16th, when we’ll be reading Chapters...

Mr. Darcy is banging down the door to declare his love to Lizzie in Chapter 33 and 34 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the ‘civility’ of Darcy’s declaration and why it doesn’t work out with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lizzie.  Claudia L. Johnson joins us at the end of the episode to discuss Jane Austen’s politics. Our next episode is on December 2nd, when we’ll be reading Chapt...

Vanessa is joined by Dana Schwartz to chat about their upcoming Rebecca pilgrimage and the theme of haunting. Find out more here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.