Over the course of March, we’ve been sharing our favorite Catherine quotes in the Novel Pairings Discord Channel. Here’s a smattering:
“I am commanded to write an account of my days: I am bit by fleas and plagued by family. That is all there is to say.”
“I am near fourteen and have never yet seen a hanging. My life is barren.”
“19TH DAY OF OCTOBER, Feast of Saint Frideswide, virgin, though why that should make someone a saint I do not know.”
We adored Catherine, Called Birdy for the wit, wiles, and Middle Grade wisdom—courtesy of Karen Cushman and her detailed historical research. This Newbery Honor Award winner explores the precarious period of life between childhood and adolescence. Through young Catherine’s diary entries we learn about medieval customs, hygiene, holidays, and religion, and we see how pushing against societal constraints requires sass, sneakiness, and the courage to tell your own story.
Let us know what you thought of today’s episode on Instagram.
In book club news, we’re looking forward to discussing Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry on Wednesday March 29th at 7pm EST with our Patreon Lit Scholars. Head to patreon.com/novelpairings to sign up!
Links
Check out these links related to today’s episode and our Children’s Classics season:
Dunham’s adaptation shines because it’s so unfaithful. (Polygon)
What I learned from Karen Cushman’s novels. (Book Riot)
In the mood to read about more feisty medieval ladies? Read about Eleanor of Aquitaine or Julian of Norwich. (JSTOR)
Did you see 100-year-old Grace Linn’s speech against book banning? Worth a watch. (Advocate)
Coming Up
Readers, truth be told we are treading water over here, maybe even sinking a bit? Sickness and teething toddlers and travel over the last three months have put a lot of pressure on our production schedule, so we need to make some margin. We’re pushing April main feed episodes back a bit, which shouldn’t affect your reading plans or our exclusive content on Patreon. It will, however, give us some time to catch up, be creative, and have more fun doing what we love: connecting with you over classic literature.
Check out our April and May calendars, and join our Patreon community for cozy, nerdy, and seasonal book talk. Have any questions for us? Reply to this email or send us a DM on Instagram.
Happy Spring Reading,
Chelsey & Sara
This episode blew up my TBR. I was a little old for this one when it was published, and also the AG and diary books, though I’m a little familiar with them through my daughter. I do LOVE LOVE LOVE the Hand-Ashton-Meadows Mary and Jane books. They are so perfectly smart and funny and charming. I enjoyed the Catherine, Called Birdie movie, and now I’m looking forward to reading the book. Also looking forward to The Doomsday Book and Margaret the First. Thanks!!!