Bad On Paper – Deep Cuts Book Club Summary

Episode Release Date: March 26, 2025

In this engaging episode of Bad On Paper, hosts Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter delve into a comprehensive discussion of Holly Brickley's novel, "Deep Cuts". Skipping over the introductory segments and advertisements, the hosts provide insightful commentary, personal anecdotes, and critical analysis, making this summary perfect for both fans and newcomers alike.

1. Personal Updates: Highs and Lows

Olivia kicks off the episode by sharing her current endeavors:

"My high is that I just have a lot going on, and it's all great things... I'm working on revisions. I'm drafting at the same time." (01:03)

Becca responds enthusiastically about her book draft:

"I'm feeling so good about my book draft that I'm working on. I'm feeling so good that I'm going on this trip soon." (05:16)

Amidst their successes, Olivia also opens up about her emotional challenges:

"Last week, I became enamored with two eagles named Jackie and Shadow... Turns out the chick did die." (07:52)

Becca empathizes and shares her own struggles with character development in her writing:

"In my revision, I got to this chapter, and I have to rename a character... I'm having to rename this character." (11:52)

2. Book Discussion: "Deep Cuts"

Book Summary

Becca provides an overview of "Deep Cuts":

"Deep Cuts is about Percy and Jo, who meet as college students at UC Berkeley in the year 2000... they grapple with if they can be together romantically, if they can work together musically, or none of the above." (18:06)

Characters Analysis

The hosts delve deep into character dynamics, particularly focusing on Percy, the protagonist:

Olivia: "I loved the character of Percy so much more than I loved their relationship. She is just such a sharply drawn character... real and relatable." (19:01)

Becca highlights Percy's nuanced sexual and dating history:

"Percy comes from a very normal family... she had a very compelling and interesting sexual and dating history that felt really nuanced and real." (30:15)

Themes and Plot Points

The discussion touches on significant events that shape Percy's character, such as her experience with sexual assault and the impact of 9/11:

Becca: "Percy holds so much uncertainty around it afterwards... it wasn’t central to the plot, but it deepens her character." (34:10)

Olivia: "I think it mirrors her songwriting experience with Jo... she has trouble owning her own anger about it." (36:40)

They also explore the representation of music as a central theme:

Olivia: "It's about the emotional experience of feeling so connected to certain songs, not about the songs themselves." (21:54)

Ending Analysis

The hosts express mixed feelings about the book's conclusion:

Becca: "I kept rooting for them to be together less and less in every subsequent section." (45:17)

Olivia: "I felt perplexed by the ending... I'm confident they will not stay together." (55:43)

They debate whether the ending aligned with the book's literary romance elements, discussing its departure from conventional romance tropes.

3. Literary Romance Discussion

Becca and Olivia engage in a thoughtful conversation about what defines a literary romance:

Olivia: "I think it's mostly about language and the focus on character rather than the stakes or, like, the tension." (61:09)

Becca: "I think it's a language, I think it's a lack of tropiness... an acknowledgement of the darker parts of the world of relationships." (61:12)

They cite examples of literary romances, mentioning authors like Sally Rooney and discussing the balance between character depth and romantic plotlines.

4. Adaptation News

Exciting news is shared about the adaptation of "Deep Cuts":

Becca: "A24 is adapting this into a TV series or a movie. Saoirse Ronan and Austin Butler are playing Percy and Jo." (64:44)

The hosts speculate on casting choices and potential portrayals:

Olivia: "I think I can see [Saoirse Ronan] for this role more than I can see Austin Butler." (65:06)

They express enthusiasm and curiosity about how the book's nuanced characters will translate to the screen.

5. Book Club Pick for April

Looking ahead, Olivia introduces the next book club selection:

"For April, we are going to read 'Wild Dark Shore' by Charlotte McConaughey... it's about the Salt family... there's a woman who washes ashore, and the mystery unfolds." (76:26)

Becca shares her anticipation and willingness to explore new genres:

"I'm excited to go outside my comfort zone and hopefully find a sliver of our Venn diagram." (77:35)

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter offer a blend of personal insights and critical analysis, making their discussion of "Deep Cuts" both relatable and intellectually stimulating. Their exploration of complex characters, thematic depth, and the intricacies of literary romance provides listeners with a rich understanding of the novel's strengths and nuances. Whether you're a fan of the book or considering it for your next read, this episode delivers valuable perspectives and thoughtful commentary.

Notable Quotes:

• Olivia on balancing creative projects:
  "I'm working on revisions. I'm drafting at the same time. Oh, wow. I actually didn't know if that was possible, but I'm trying to maintain both things." (01:03)

• Becca on character naming challenges:
  "I just feel it in my heart that this character needs to be renamed... I feel like I am solving, like, a calculus equation on one of those huge boards." (12:05)

• Olivia on Percy's relationship with music:
  "Percy's relationship to music... it really does feel like when you're growing up... it just means your deep love for something matters." (28:13)

• Becca on the portrayal of friendship:
  "The portrayal of that type of friendship... just forgive yourself. It's too exhausting not to." (47:35)

• Olivia on literary romance elements:
  "I think it's mostly about language and the focus on character rather than the stakes or the tension." (61:09)

This summary captures the essence of the "Deep Cuts Book Club" episode, highlighting the hosts' discussions, key insights, and memorable moments. For a more detailed exploration, tuning into the full episode is highly recommended.