suggestions

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Posted on February 21, 2017 Updated on February 21, 2017

Novel Ideas, in a completionist turn, brings you Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling (but really by Jack Thorne and John Tiffany). In this episode we discuss insane bestselling sales, the nature of long delayed sequels, time travel plots, and how plays differ from novels. We also talk about the influence of cocaine (probably none), that Voldemort is likely a virgin, alternate Ron, and the inadequacy of riddle based security measures. And much, much more.

The music bump is “Sybilla Delphica” by Orlando di Lassus in honor of <spoiler of gobsmackingly stupid plot twist redacted>, Delphi.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – A Thing That Doesn’t Need To Exist

Our recommendation: This sequel was a smashing (financial) success. Otherwise, it doesn’t really feel that much like Harry Potter.

Ben: 4/10. I’ve never been a fan of unnecessary sequels. This falls into that category for me.

Gabs: 4/10 faulty Time Turners. Because it failed to turn back the clock and recapture the magic.

Also, if you have suggestions for future episodes, please share them with us! We’re trying to be a bit more responsive to our six or so listeners this year.

This entry was posted in Episodes and tagged Albus Severus/Scorpio/ASS, alternate Ron, bestseller?, cash grab, cocaine likely not involved, conflict, cross media adaptations, daddy issues, dark magic fuck cult, defending Ron, distant sequels, family, fan fiction, feminism, foreshadowing, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hermione doesn't need a man, Hillary Clinton's open invite, J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, John Tiffany, mischaracterization, Mrs. Weasley is awesome, no magic HP, no soulmates, nostalgia remakes, play writing, prophecy, reading plays, riddle based security, Ron is not a doofus, secret pregnancy, Snape riff, suggestions, theater, time travel plots, Voldemort is a virgin.

Little Women

Posted on January 10, 2017

Happy New Year! We’re back with a classic in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, a book that many would call a quintessential American girl’s tale. Do we agree with this assessment? You’ll find out if you listen to this episode. You’ll also discover what we think about feminism in historical context, question certain self-improvements, agree with the narrator’s opinion on spinsters, and discuss the lack of passion in this story. We also talk about ladies who don’t like ladies, the creation of shipping, obnoxious children, and (perhaps oddly) lobsters.

The music bump is Chopin’s Mazurka in A minor, op. 17 due to period appropriateness. Feel free to imagine Beth playing it in heaven if that makes you feel better about it.

109 – Little Women – Marmee is the Worst

Our recommendation: Short version is that it doesn’t really hold up that well.

Ben: 5/10. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. I liked that there were a lot of things to discuss, as there usually are with classics.

Gabs: 5/10. 6/10 for part 1, 4/10 for part 2.

Quick administrative note: We’re hoping to post more often this year, though of course we guarantee nothing. As part of this “do more stuff” plan, we would like to be a little more responsive to our listeners. Please leave some requests/recommendations/suggestions for books for future episodes either in the comments for this episode or on our suggestions page.

This entry was posted in Admin, Episodes and tagged adventure stories=moral decay, Amy's potential, anti-climactic death, automatic male competence, be nice to spinsters, class issues, communication, context, cotagonist, creation of shipping, Daria, dogs fighting, family, feminism, feminism again, fixing your faults, good Christian morals, independent women, intersectionality, Jotagonist, lack of passion, ladies who don't like ladies, Little Women, lobster shame, Louisa May Alcott, meta-narration, modern retelling, morality tale, needs an editor, obnoxious children, patriarchy, picaresque, Professor Bear, protagonist, racism, rational rejection, rich in spirit, semi-autobiographical, Serial, ship wars, sibling interactions, slavery?, suggestions, trolling, white people, Yankee pride.