William Shakespeare dedicated many of his sonnets to someone known only as the Dark Lady. Novelist Mary McMyne imagines that this was maybe a witch named Rose in her new novel, A Rose by Any Other Name. Mary joins us to talk about her book, and Shakespeare, in this week's episode!
Click here to buy a copy of A Rose By Any Other Name.
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Apr 29
Regency Era Trans Icon Chevalière d'Éon (revisited)
Chevalière d'Éon was a French spy, championship fencer, soldier, and absolute icon. No wonder the Ton of Regency England became obsessed when she moved there. In this episode, originally from 2022, author Maya Deane joins us to explain d'Éon's audacious story and the importance o ... Show More
1h 14m
Apr 15
Regency Era It Girl Emma Hamilton (part two)
Watch this episode as a video. Emma Hamilton was the ultimate artist's muse, posing for more portraits during her life than anyone before or after. She was also a political operative, helping the royal family during the Naples reverse-revolution, and facilitating ties between Bri ... Show More
1h 34m
Oct 2025
744 Love, Sex, and Frankenstein (with Caroline Lea) | #10 Greatest Book of All Time | My Last Book with Geoffrey Turnovsky | A Letter from a Middle School Teacher and Mom
The year is 1816, and 18-year-old Mary Shelley has fled London with her lover, Percy Shelley, and her sister, Claire. They're on their way to visit Lord Byron's villa in Lake Geneva, Switzerland - and to change the course of literary history. In this episode, Jacke talks to Carol ... Show More
1h 26m
Sep 2025
Anne Boleyn: Myths vs Reality
The life of Anne Boleyn has intrigued audiences for centuries. Everyone knows something about her time as Queen of England, and of course, her betrayal and execution. But her formative years in France remain a bit of a mystery.Joining us today is Estelle Paranque, an Associate Pr ... Show More
1h 1m
Jun 2023
519 Shakespeare's First Folio (with Emma Smith) | My Last Book with Luke Parker
The compilation of Shakespeare's plays known as the First Folio is one of the most important books in the history of literature. In this episode, Jacke talks to Shakespeare scholar and First Folio expert Emma Smith about the origins, importance, status, and legacy of this essenti ... Show More
1h 3m
Nov 2025
746 Wild Jane Austen (with Devoney Looser) | #9 Greatest Book of All Time
Author Devoney Looser may be a mild-mannered English professor to most people, but roller derby fans know her as Stone Cold Jane Austen, her smashmouth alter ego. In this episode, Devoney tells Jacke about her new book Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, Subversive, and Untamed Jane, ... Show More
1h 4m
May 2024
The REAL Bridgerton: Queen Charlotte, Lord Byron & Georgian Celebrity
<p>The third season of Bridgerton is out and we are back in sexy scandalous Georgian society. But while we watch, we're taking a step back to ask: how real is Bridgerton?</p><br><p>On this second episode in our REAL Bridgerton mini-series, we're looking at the royals and celebrit ... Show More
43m 8s