Yes, after a lifelong relationship with Nancy Drew and the Stratemeyer Syndicate, this podcast is what I need. I think of Horatio Alger, the predecessor of Edward Stratemeyer. Somebody once said of him—because so many people were dismissive of his works, I guess popular literature or worse—that he is the Homer of this culture. There’s just so much to unpack in the manipulation of these archetypes and cultural icons, so thank goodness we have this podcast to begin unpacking all the stuff in the attic. I guess Nancy actually did that too, didn’t she? Ever since she started, she didn’t get paid, but she kept souvenirs. It’s like this podcast is unpacking almost a century’s worth of souvenirs. Somebody’s gotta do it. Thank you!
This podcast has also helped me understand why these stories are so strangely compelling. It’s not just about Nancy Drew—it’s about how these symbols and tropes reflect the stories we tell ourselves and share. The fun isn’t over when you finish reading the book. It’s only just begun because then it’s time for the podcast. That extended “kick” reminds me of reading Jane Austen, where the joy doesn’t end with the book—you dive into feminist and economic and political literary criticism, and then the movies, and more. So the after-party keeps going.
Hopefully, there will be more podcasts like this because they’re too much fun. I guess you could call it criticism, but not in the negative sense—just in the sense of really talking about it. How long can these reviews even be? I wonder if I’m getting close to the length of one of the two-page summaries given to ghostwriters! Though, as Mildred Wirt Benson once pointed out, shorter summaries might have been better—leaving room to add storms or twists wherever they fit. Anyway, signing off now. These podcasts are a joy!
