Bad On Paper Podcast: Episode Summary – "Isola Book Club"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Bad On Paper
• Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
• Episode Title: Isola Book Club
• Release Date: February 26, 2025
• Description: Join Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter every Wednesday for a dose of books and banter, along with interviews with women who inspire us.

1. Personal Updates

Olivia's Weekend High ([00:47])

Olivia shares her enjoyable experience visiting family in New Orleans during Mardi Gras for the first time. She describes the parades as family-oriented events with an array of items thrown, ranging from beads to light-up objects.

“We went to the parades, which was. I had no idea the scale of these things... It was a very nice, fun weekend.” ([01:27])

Becca's Weekend High ([02:11])

Becca recounts a fulfilling weekend spent with friends visiting from Boston, including attending a comedy show, dining out, and shopping. She also shares positive news about her writing progress and a productive call with her editor, enhancing her optimism for her current draft.

“I had a call with her to run some of my ideas by her and she really liked them. And I just, I feel really excited and locked in on this draft.” ([03:40])

Olivia's Weekend Low ([05:03])

The busyness of Olivia's weekend leaves her feeling unprepared for the upcoming week. Despite taking steps to reset, such as organizing chores, she acknowledges the need to adjust after a nonstop trip.

“My low is just that it was such a go, go, go weekend that I'm not feeling prepared for the week.” ([05:03])

Becca's Weekend Low ([06:05])

Becca expresses frustration with the current state of American politics, feeling overwhelmed by misinformation and lack of coherent responses from political figures and coalitions.

“I feel like the state of American politics is just, is kind of catching up to me.” ([06:05])

2. Book Discussion: "Isola" by Allegra Goodman

Pronunciation and Plot Overview ([12:03])

The hosts clarify the pronunciation of "Isola" and provide a synopsis of the book, highlighting its historical fiction elements centered around Marguerite, an orphaned heir who is controlled by her older cousin, Roberval. The story takes a dramatic turn when Marguerite falls in love with Auguste, leading to their marooning on an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

“This book centers around a main character named Marguerite who is the orphaned heir to a fortune... they face immense challenges to survive.” ([12:17])

High-Level Thoughts: Olivia vs. Becca ([14:08] & [14:43])

• Olivia's Perspective: Olivia appreciates the detailed world-building and immersive narrative. Despite a slow start, she found the survival aspects compelling and enjoyed the true-story basis of the novel.

  “I found it extremely immersive in that way... But I can see why that would be important to some people for sure.” ([17:59])

• Becca's Perspective: Contrarily, Becca did not connect with the book, finding the historical specifics lacking and the pacing slow. Her preconceptions and selective reading habits influenced her negative reception.

  “This book was not for me. Not for me... I will also admit that I went into this book with a piss poor attitude.” ([14:43])

Divergent Reactions ([20:48] – [31:57])

The hosts delve into specific aspects of the book, highlighting their differing views:

• Historical Authenticity: Becca felt the historical elements were not well-anchored in the 1500s, lacking specific cultural and temporal details.

  “It did not feel super specific in any way... It felt like it wasn't even specific to France.” ([18:46])

• Survival Elements: Olivia enjoyed the survival aspects, finding them charming and engaging, while Becca felt the challenges were not sufficiently difficult for the characters given their privileged backgrounds.

  Olivia: “I find it very interesting and very compelling.” ([34:57])
  Becca: “It didn't seem hard enough at first... It was just, like, immediately got into the swing of things.” ([33:36])

• Character Relationships: Both hosts discuss the romantic dynamics, with Olivia appreciating the subtlety and potential for adaptation, whereas Becca found the connections unconvincing and abrupt.

  Olivia: “I thought it was so, like, a good example of... simply, a very immersive story.” ([28:22])
  Becca: “I didn't feel like I understood their connection in any way.” ([28:28])

Historical Basis and True Story Elements ([46:28] – [49:01])

Olivia elaborates on the real historical events that inspired the novel, providing context on Marguerite's actual ordeal. This blend of fact and fiction adds depth to the narrative, though Becca remains indifferent to this aspect.

“This is the real Marguerite did really travel across the ocean in 1542 and she was really marooned on an island...” ([47:12])

3. Book Club Dynamics and Recommendations

Polar Reactions and Book Club Selection ([51:53] – [52:10])

Becca and Olivia acknowledge their differing reactions to "Isola," noting that such varied opinions are typical in a book club setting. They express curiosity about broader listener opinions, anticipating that others may lean towards Olivia's perspective.

“I think books are subjective. Let us get into some Men matter.” ([52:10])

Reading Recommendations:

• Becca's Picks:

  • "Saint X" by Alexis Skykin: A dual-timeline story exploring race and family dynamics.
  • "Good Dirt" by Charmaine Wilkerson: Explores themes similar to her favorite "Black Cake."

  “It's a lot about race... I thought it was great. The writing is really, really, really good.” ([56:38])

• Olivia's Picks:

  • "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen: A classic survival story she loved as a child.
  • "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir: An action-packed survival narrative.

Upcoming Book Club Selection ([59:46])

For March, the hosts announce their next book club pick:

• "Deep Cuts" by Holly Brickley: A literary romance set in the early 2000s indie music scene, exploring the intricate relationship between two college friends bonded by their love for music.

  “This is a literary romance... similar to 'Normal People.'” ([59:46])

4. Personal Obsessions

Becca's New Sneakers ([52:42] – [54:37])

Becca enthusiastically discusses her recent acquisition of leopard-print Adidas sneakers from the Wales Bonner collection. She shares the story of spotting them on a flight, their high resale value, and her delight in finally securing a pair.

“I marked my calendar. I was so excited to get these. I did end up getting them secondhand for not that much more money.” ([53:26])

Olivia's Current Obsessions ([54:30] – [56:54])

Olivia currently has no specific obsessions to share, focusing instead on her reading list.

5. Closing Remarks and Next Steps

The hosts encourage listeners to engage with the book discussion through their Facebook and Geneva groups and preview their excitement for the upcoming book, "Deep Cuts." They also provide their social media handles for further interaction.

“If you would like to discuss Isola with us, please come talk to us in the Facebook group or in the Geneva group.” ([59:57])

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Olivia on Mardi Gras Parades:
  “Have you ever been to one a Mardi Gras parade?... It was a really nice, fun weekend.” ([01:27])

• Becca on Political Frustration:
  “I feel like the state of American politics is just, is kind of catching up to me.” ([06:05])

• Olivia on Book Immersion:
  “I found it extremely immersive in that way... But I can see why that would be important to some people for sure.” ([17:59])

• Becca on Book Dislike:
  “This book was not for me. Not for me... I was feeling unfulfilled in my reading life.” ([14:43])

• Olivia on Historical Authenticity:
  “I found it very interesting and very compelling.” ([34:57])

• Becca on Book Club Subjectivity:
  “I think books are subjective. Let us get into some Men matter.” ([52:10])

Conclusion

In this episode of Bad On Paper, Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter delve into their February book club pick, Isola by Allegra Goodman. Through personal anecdotes and a candid discussion, they explore the strengths and shortcomings of the novel, reflecting their diverse perspectives. While Olivia praises the immersive storytelling and historical underpinnings, Becca finds herself disengaged due to pacing and lack of specific historical details. Their interaction highlights the subjective nature of literary appreciation, setting the stage for engaging future discussions. Listeners are encouraged to join their community discussions and look forward to their March selection, Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley.