Dear Reader

Am I bonkers? I find myself listening to a two-hour podcast on a book I’ve never read, and I’m hooked! I was familiar with the host going in, and I especially sympathize with her being a fan of strong heroines. From Stella’s past podcast work, I know she’s discussed quite a range, from Scarlet O’Hara to Ellen Ripley, the Ghibli canon to Ellie from "The Last of Us" – and of course, Barbara Gordon. I was delighted to learn, however, that of all her literary devotions, "Jane Eyre" is the greatest, making this limited series an opportunity for her to express that in catalogue detail. She’s on a first-name basis with "Jane Eyre," and her passion for the novel comes out in the direct readings in that smooth, radio DJ voice, as well as the stirring franticism with which she attends to a messy, overwhelming undertaking (admitting it’s an “organizational nightmare”) – all somehow tempered by a cool composure. She takes an academic approach which is never dry, deferring to experts when necessary while remaining buoyed by jet-engine enthusiasm. And yet, "Dear Reader" will also be a journey of discovery. As versed in all things "Jane," Stella maintains the capacity for surprise by material on the fringes. Though she doesn’t reread the book every year — and doesn’t require you to have read it once — she revisits passages often and finds new connections. From this point, she’ll explore the many adaptations, which have taken a number of forms, sometimes bizarre. From patriarchy to racism to coming of age, there’s a lot to discuss with "Jane Eyre," and I can’t imagine a better host to guide us than Stella. Looking forward to the e*otica episode!