New episode! A Streetcar Named Desire

Hey, listeners!

Today, Chelsey and Sara are digging into a messy, melodramatic classroom staple: A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. This 1947 play—later made iconic by the 1951 Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando film—explores toxic masculinity, decaying southern aristocracy, and unquenchable American consumerism through the complicated yet unforgettable characters of Blanche, Stella, and Stanley. While today’s episode does contain spoilers, we think it’s more than okay to listen even if you haven’t read the play or seen the film. And if you do want to avoid spoilers entirely, we recommend skipping straight to our pairings because this episode is stacked with some incredible books that you might not expect to find matched with a mid-century Southern Gothic melodrama!

Listen to the episode here or in your favorite podcast app (don’t forget to rate and subscribe!).

For further reading on Tennessee Williams and his infinitely quotable play:

• Watch the original trailer for the 1951 film. We’ll be hosting a watchalong of the film for our Patreon subscribers. on Friday, August 6th. Visit our Patreon page to sign up and join us!

• Read the (ridiculously over-the-top) New Yorker review of the original Broadway play.

• A brief biography of Tennessee Williams.

• Playing Blanche DuBois is one of the biggest accomplishments and greatest challenges for actresses. Here’s why.

Some of our links are Bookshop affiliate links. We earn a small commission when you make a purchase using these links (plus, you support independent bookstores).

Coming up:

Next week we’re toppling your TBRs with an episode full of Greek mythology inspired tales and retellings. Our recent Patreon book club discussion of Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann prompted this episode, and it’s a good one. We offer myth-inspired books for everyone including the most die-hard mythology nerds and readers who turn and run at the thought of another Circe.

Then on Tuesday, August 17th we’re discussing our final book of our summer season, The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor. This listener recommendation is a first time read for both of us, and we can’t wait to explore it.

In case you missed it, we shared our summer selections on IGTV and in an Instagram post.

Currently reading:

Sara recently just finished The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee. It’s an excellent work of nonfiction about the history and impact of racialized policies in the United States. Chelsey is listening* to All’s Well by Mona Awad (it’s out today!) and thoroughly enjoying it. It’s a darkly funny book set in the world of college theatre, and would make a perfect book to transition into fall.

*You can support your favorite independent bookstores and get two Libro.fm audiobooks for the price of one by signing up with our link, or entering code NOVELPAIRINGS at checkout!

Where to find us:

Download episodes of Novel Pairings wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Check out our blog for bonus pairings, reading tips, and book recommendations. Find Chelsey at @chelseyreads or @hereadsheread. Find Sara at @fictionmatters and her newsletter. We love hearing what you’re reading, so tag us in your #bookstagram posts!

We declare after all, there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!

-Sara and Chelsey