← Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
She's Alive! How Maggie Gyllenhaal Gave the Bride of Frankenstein a New Life
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- [00:01]
Danielle Robay
The Autograph Journey Credit Card from Wells Fargo is built for travel. You can earn rewards wherever you your favorite hotel site your go to, airline and more. You get five times points with hotels, four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel, and one point on other purchases. Whether it's a big vacation or a quick getaway from booking your stay to that first meal when you arrive, you're turning your trips into rewards with the Autograph Journey card from Wells Fargo. Learn more at Wells Fargo.com autographjourney Terms apply. Recently I went on a trip to Panama with my dad. He took me on a little speedboat to the jungle and I got to see Titi monkeys. They were so cute and I dragged him to all the best restaurants. If you are planning any upcoming trips, you could be hosting your home on Airbnb. And now with the Co host network you could hire a local co host to handle everything like managing reservations, guest communication and even styling your space. Find a co host@airbnb.com host all the talk of probiotics can get confusing. Which to take? Why? What does it do? Let's make it easy. Garden of Life's doctor formulated Once Daily Women's Probiotic is the number one women's probiotic. Why should you take it? Well, Garden of Life transforms a range of probiotic strains to support digestive, immune and vaginal health. Plus, this doctor formulated non GMO formula is designed specifically for women. Simply put, this is an easy way to support your gut health. Garden of Formulas for Feeling Alive available on Amazon number one based on Circana 52 week multi outlet unit sales ending 1130 25. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- [01:51]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
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- [02:28]
Danielle Robay
Shop now@ubeauty.com bookmarked by Reese's book Club is presented by Apple Books. Hi, I'm Danielle Robay and welcome to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club. This week we're talking about something Monstrous
- [02:46]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
with Maggie Gyllenhaal this book about monsters and men and God and, you know, I love the book. I think the book is incredible. But I guess I started to fantasize, what if Mary Shelley had some other things she wanted to say, like what would they be? And were they unpublishable in 1820? You know, were they, as you know, as we say in the movie, unthankful?
- [03:15]
Danielle Robay
But first, it's the first Tuesday of the month, so you know what that means. It's time to announce the Reese's Book Club pick for March. And you know who's here to take it away. Queen of the book club. Hi, Reese.
- [03:28]
Rachel Hochhauser
Hey, everybody, it's Reese. I want to tell you about our March book club pick. It's called Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser, and it is a fascinating retelling of the Cinderella story from the evil stepmother's point of view. Except maybe she's not really evil. It's all the way you look at it. I love this interpretation and I think you'll really enjoy this book.
- [03:51]
Danielle Robay
Oh, I cannot wait to get into this book. Stay tuned for a sneak peek from the author, Rachel Hockhauser at the end of this episode. When you're planning a trip, it helps to have a credit card that rewards you no matter where you like to book. That's the Autograph Journey credit card from Wells Fargo. What makes a difference is how flexible it is. You can earn rewards where you like to book travel. If you like going straight to the airline or hunting down a deal on a hotel site, this card is designed to keep rewarding you. Here's how the points stack up. You get five times points with hotels, four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel, and one point on other purchases. So picture booking that hotel in the neighborhood you've always wanted to stay in, that's earning points. Grabbing flights for a last minute getaway, that's earning. Sitting down for that first dinner when you land. Still earning. Even the everyday stuff between trips can help toward your next journey. The autographed Journey card from Wells Fargo helps turn the way you already travel, eat and explore into rewards. Learn more at Wells Fargo.com autographjourney Terms apply. Recently I went on a trip to Panama with my dad and we go on a trip every single year together. This year I had so much fun. We drank Panama coffee every morning. He took me on a little speedboat to the jungle and I got to see titi monkeys. We ate absolutely delicious food. I dragged him to all the best restaurants and we always pick a book to read together set in the city we're visiting. So we picked a Panamanian thriller and it was twisty. Trips like that are truly unforgettable, and what makes it even better is staying at a place on Airbnb. Now if you're planning any upcoming trips, you could be hosting your home on Airbnb. And with Airbnb Co Host Network, you could hire a local co host to handle everything okay, like creating your listing, managing reservations, guest communication, on site support, and even styling your space. So while you're making your own memories, your home can be helping another family make theirs and earning you extra cash. Find a co host@airbnb.com host I'm partnering with Simple Mills and I have now found a new Go to Snack. When I'm reading Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers, I thought I'd review them book style because these crackers deserve it. Let's start with the premise. A snack that doesn't leave you feeling weighed down. Made with almond flour, sunflower seeds and flaxseeds. Nutrient dense ingredients your body can use with protein, vitamins and fiber, not just empty carbs. That's a solid foundation and just like a good premise, needs great writing. Simple Mills Almond Flour crackers also taste amazing. Classic flavors like fine ground sea salt, a crunchy texture and a light finish that leaves you feeling uplifted and energized. It's like a taste of sunshine in every bite. For a change in genre, try Pop' Ems Cheesy, airy and poppable crackers with an unexpected twist. They're packed with veggies. Here's my Simple Mills crackers are a snack staple you'll always want on your shelf. Okay, I've hit my metaphor quota for the year, but these crackers are worth it. Find Simple Mills at your grocery store.
- [07:12]
Lily Herman
Ready for a different take on Formula one? Look no further than no Grip, a new podcast tackling the culture of motor racing's most coveted series. Join me, Lily Herman, as we dive into the underexplored pockets of F1, including the astrology of the current grid.
- [07:26]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Lewis Hamilton, Capricorn Sun Cancer Moon Wouldn't you know it? Michael Schumacher is also a Capricorn Sun
- [07:33]
Lily Herman
Cancer Moon, the story of the sport's most consequential driver strike. We have one man who, upon hearing that he was going to be fired, freaked out and apparently climbed out the window of the bathroom and was Daniel Ricardo's illustrious F1 career a success story, a cautionary tale, or some combination of both.
- [07:50]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
He started getting all this attention and he maybe started to think, I'm bigger than this, I'm better.
- [07:57]
Lily Herman
And plenty of other mishaps, scandals and sagas that have made Formula One a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to no Grip on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [08:14]
Danielle Robay
Welcome back to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club. Maggie Gyllenhaal's new movie, the Bride, is out on March 6th, and this isn't just a retelling of the Bride of Frankenstein. It's a whole reimagining. What if the bride had a mind of her own? What if the story actually revolved around her needs and her agency? And what if we could actually learn something from the Bride? What if this woman, who we've been told is a monster, could teach us how to embrace even the darkest, most chaotic parts of ourselves? So if you're ready to get a little messy, you are in the right place. Let's turn the page with Maggie Gyllenhaal. Maggie, welcome to the club.
- [09:05]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Thank you.
- [09:06]
Danielle Robay
You've been in this business for so many years, and you've brought some roles to life, both on screen and behind the camera that we all know and love. Less known, though, is that you were a literature major in college. Is there a piece that you read in college that has stayed with you to this day or even informed how you've taken on roles?
- [09:28]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
That is such a good question. There's a Jean Reese book called Good Morning, Midnight that I read in college that, I mean, just this is just the first thing that comes to mind when you ask me this. I remember I read so many books in college and then also didn't read so many books that I should have read that book, actually. It's about a woman. It's written by a woman. It's about a woman in the 30s who, like, probably used to have a little bit of money and doesn't have, is just really found herself on really hard times. And you just spend maybe a week with her wandering around Paris thinking about being alive and what it means. But the way that she thinks about it is she's thinking about what color she might dye her hair and whether or not she can manage to buy a new dress. It's funny, it sounds very trite, but it's really such a brilliant book, but also feels so feminine to me. Like, I think it resonated with me because, I mean, for so many years, there's so few Books that got published that were written by women. And that's one that has just a feminine voice. It has a feminine vibe. And so it spoke to me.
- [10:38]
Danielle Robay
Based on this film, I. I feel like that tracks. There's so many feminist messages in your movie. I think, you know, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who is in. At least a little familiar with Frankenstein as a story. But one of my favorite parts of Frankenstein is actually how it came to be. So Mary Shelley wrote it as a dare, basically, and revolutionized the genre of science fiction. How did the way Frankenstein came to be written inspire how you wrote the script?
- [11:09]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
What happened is that I hadn't read Frankenstein, even though, as you say, I'm a literature major. I. This sort of seems like I should have. Maybe I was supposed to, but I never did. I was trying to think about what I wanted to work on next after the Lost Daughter. And I saw this guy at a party with a tattoo of the Bride of Frankenstein on his entire forearm. I mean, that's a major commitment, right, To. To a character, to an image. And I was like, right, who is that again? And I went and looked her up. I mean, I. I knew it was the Bride of Frankenstein, because everybody knows that, but, like, why? You know, I went and looked her up and I thought, right, right. It's kind of an amazing image, such an amazing look. And then I watched the movie, which I had never seen, and I realized she's not really in the movie. She's in it for two minutes at the end. And Elsa Lanchester, who plays her, does also play Mary Shelley in the beginning, but aside from that, she's literally in the movie for two minutes, and she doesn't say one word. And I was like, wow, this movie has the wrong title. Like, I was expecting a lot more Bride and the Bride of Frankenstein, but somehow those two minutes made a major impact on our culture. And I think it's because she wakes up having been brought back from the dead without being asked if she wants that. You know, without being told what she's doing anywhere, and just that without saying any words, she just communicates absolutely no. You know, And I think in 1936, when the movie came out, that must have been pretty radical. And. And even now, then I went and read the book. Before I knew exactly what the puzzle was, I went and read the book and I was like, okay, Interesting, right? I thought. I thought, okay, there's this lovely man, monster, whatever you want to call him, Frankenstein, who. Yes, he's violent. Yes, he's Full of rage, but he's also so vulnerable and so, so lonely. And so this guy really needs someone to be with him and thinks it could only be another monster and just keeps asking everyone in the book, you know, or ask Dr. Frankenstein, please, please make me a mate. Then I understood the puzzle for the movie, which was basically like, okay, fair enough, fair enough. Need. Fair enough question. I understand him, but what about her? You know, what about this random person who's going to be brought back from. From the dead? That's kind of a problem with this ask in the scenario. So in asking, in trying to take that puzzle apart, which I thought made for, like, pretty interesting dramatic situation, I thought, well, what about Mary Shelley? Like, is this. This book about monsters and men and God and. You know, I love the book. I think the book is incredible. But I guess I started to fantasize it started to creep up in my mind. What if Mary Shelley had some other things she wanted to say, like, what would they be? And were they unpublishable in 1820? You know, were they, as, you know, as we say in the movie, unthinkful, Couldn't even think them, and what might those things have been? And could we make a movie about that? You know, that's kind of how I got in.
- [15:06]
Danielle Robay
I'm bursting with 12 questions based on what you just said. The first is, anybody who sees this movie will see how much love you and the cast put into is a film. And so in thinking about what words you wanted to share with people, what themes? Choice was a big theme that came up for me watching it. Did you draw from your personal experiences, like artistically feeling muzzled or not being able to say what you wanted to say? You're nodding.
- [15:44]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Yeah, I think I. Yes, I did draw from so many personal experiences. My own heart, my own mind. You know, it's very personal in all sorts of ways. And I think that's true for, as you say, a lot of other people who put themselves on the line in the movie, like, for Jesse, for Christian, for Penelope, for Nat, for Peter, even for my cinematographer, my designer, my costume designer. You know, everybody's kind of saying, I mean, if the movie is in the territory of, is there a part of you that's monstrous or that feels monstrous, is there a part in you that feels. Feels like a misfit, that cannot always fit inside the box we're asked to fit into, like, can we be brave enough to look at those monstrous parts, to look at those wild child parts, to look at those parts that we've been told aren't allowed into the conversation. And I guess I imagine. And I could certainly be wrong about this, but I imagine that everybody feels that way sometimes. I certainly do. And, like, there are things that I want to express that, like Mary Shelley says, are almost unthinkable, but when you express them, I have found that honestly and, like, in a kind of friendly way, you know, I don't know. I think a lot of people kind of reach out and say, oh, I know what you mean.
- [17:38]
Danielle Robay
That that feeling of, I know what you mean is going to come up for women in particular, I think. Watching this film, I had it multiple times. One of my favorite lines of the movie is actually one of the last ones. Someone references the bride and her Frankenstein, which feels like a real intentional shift
- [17:57]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
away from the classic, you know, where that comes from. And yes, that was totally my intention, but the end of Romeo and Juliet says. And I think she says it in the movie. Let's see if I can just recall it right now. Never was there that of Juliet and her Romeo. Never was there a tale so full of woe as that of Juliet and her Romeo. And I heard it just like how you're saying. I watched Romeo and Juliet recently, and I was like, wow, this is Juliet's play. This is Juliet's play. And so then when I was writing, I thought, oh, wouldn't it be so great if we could do that, too? Because you're right. You're right. The movie. I mean, I'm asked on the street sometimes, like, oh, you made Frankenstein excited for Frankenstein. And I just as sweetly as possible, I say, well, actually, it's the Bride of Frankenstein, you know, and ultimately it's just the bride.
- [19:01]
Danielle Robay
I think it's so cool what you've done. You know, Jesse's character can't remember her name for much of the movie. Did you feel like she was trying to reclaim who she was or she was starting anew?
- [19:13]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
I don't know if I answered that. I think it's funny. She's born reinvigorated is the word we use. She's reinvigorated, brought back to life without any memory. But she has a kind of, like, muscle memory. She has a kind of instinctive memory. And in fact, there do come times where. Where real memories pop through. It's an imperfect science bringing people back to life. Even, like with the. The sex in the movie, the sexuality in the movie, she. She starts out. I think this is fine to talk about because there's a sort of cold open in the Movie we definitely have to order for her to be brought back to life, you know, so you get to see her a little bit before she becomes the bride. And she plays a character who's basically an escort. And so her relationship to sex and sexuality is. I think it's like a painful place for her. I think it's a place where she wasn't able to be herself, express herself. Say no. Say in fact, yes, please. You know, she's just really. It's. I think that's like a wounded part of her. And so then later, when a different kind of romance and love and sexuality is offered, she's not quite ready for it. It takes. She goes back into a kind of muscle memory way of doing it. And it isn't what Frankenstein wants. He wants connection. I think it's a combination. I mean, she's not a baby, you know, she's born as a woman, which is a really, really interesting idea. It almost reminds me of Athena, you know, who they say is born like full grown out of her father's head.
- [20:51]
Danielle Robay
Yes, I love that.
- [20:52]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
So the bride is born as a, as a woman and she does not have. It was important to both Jesse and I that she not have that kind of like cute, childish way of being. She's a grown up and she has grown up needs. And that is not what Frankenstein was expecting. Expecting. And I will say, can I just say, for all the like book enthusiasts out there, I just call him Frankenstein. I do not call him Frankenstein's monster because he would never call himself that. And so he. And we sort of explain that in the movie, but just for this. So that. Yeah.
- [21:28]
Danielle Robay
For listeners.
- [21:29]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Yeah.
- [21:30]
Danielle Robay
Thank you for sharing that. I mean, the, the original Bride film from 1935 was considered pretty subversive. I think that it can be read as like she rejects Frankenstein and I think it could be read as rejecting ideals around womanhood. How are you carrying on the legacy of that in this film, the ideals of womanhood?
- [21:58]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
I mean, honestly, I don't think that that really major issue of her mind, her needs, her, her agency is dealt with at all in the first movie. I mean, I think it just wasn't what was on the filmmakers minds. Okay. That's okay. Other cool things are on their minds. And it's basically a Frankenstein sequel. You know.
- [22:20]
Danielle Robay
Do you think that it seeped in by accident because like, you could, from a feminist perspective, you could watch it and be like, oh, she doesn't have a voice, she doesn't have a name.
- [22:30]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Absolutely. And that was certainly a lot of what inspired me. But also it's Elsa Lanchester. It's the actress. And this is interesting. If no women. And I know there are exceptions to this rule, but basically no women were making movies then as directors, then, if you were a filmmaker, if you were a storyteller, if you had a mind and you wanted to express it in that way, you were an actress. And so maybe. And that's also how I expressed myself for so long until I felt like, wait, hold on, maybe there's a little bit more here. But. So I think Elsa Lanchester puts that in, and I think she is the reason why you can say, oh, wait, this woman is so formidable, such a badass, even though she's in it for two minutes and doesn't speak, that someone would tattoo her face on his arm.
- [23:26]
Danielle Robay
You know, I was thinking watching Jesse, that an actor or an actress or actor that was not as seasoned as Jesse could have ruined this film. Like, you needed somebody as nuanced as Jesse to, like, really make this work. And one of the things I guess I wasn't expecting was sort of this line between beauty and horror that I think you guys walked in a very cool way. How did you see it intersect?
- [23:59]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Well, I think one of the things that's so incredible about Jessie Buckley, who I count as absolutely a partner in this, and what appeals to me about her work so much in my last film, too, is that she. She knows that to really express, you know, the experience of a human being, you have to put the whole spectrum in. You have to have the beauty. You have to have the ugliness. You have to have the intelligence. You have to have the irrational, you know, stupidity. You have to have all of it. You have to have the fierceness and the vulnerability. All of that exists in us. I mean, all of that exists in me anyway. And I'm making the movie, so I want. I want all of it. I want all of it. And. And she. And she offers all of it. So in terms of the aesthetic, I wanted that, too. I wanted there to be times where, you know, they're both really monstrous and ugly and times where they're irresistibly beautiful, you know, and also things that are provocative and new. Can you think of beauty in a new way? You know, you come to see at one point that she has a black breast, that the ink dripped all over her body, not just her face. To me, it's so beautiful, you know, and that even that mark on her face is very unusual. But we. We chose it because we thought it was both Ugly and beautiful at the same time.
- [25:40]
Danielle Robay
When you're planning a trip, it helps to have a credit card that rewards you no matter where you like to book. That's the Autograph Journey credit card from Wells Fargo. What makes a difference is how flexible it is. You can earn rewards where you like to book travel. If you like going straight to the airline or hunting down a deal on a hotel site, this card is designed to keep rewarding you. Here's how the points stack up. You get five times points with hotels, four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel, and one point on other purchases. So picture booking that hotel in the neighborhood you've always wanted to stay in, that's earning points. Grabbing flights for a last minute getaway, that's earning. Sitting down for that first dinner when you land, still earning. Even the everyday stuff between trips can help toward your next journey. The Autograph Journey card from Wells Fargo helps turn the way you already travel, eat and explore into rewards. Learn more@wells fargo.com AutographJourney terms apply recently I went on a trip to Panama with my dad and we go on a trip every single year together. This year I had so much fun. We drank Panamanian coffee every morning. We he took me on a little speedboat to the jungle and I got to see Titi monkeys. We ate absolutely delicious food. I dragged him to all the best restaurants and we always pick a book to read together set in the city we're visiting. So we picked a Panamanian thriller and it was twisty. Trips like that are truly unforgettable. And what makes it even better is staying at a place on Airbnb. Now, if you're planning any upcoming trips, you could be hosting your home on Airbnb. And with Airbnb Co Host Network, you could hire a local co host to handle everything. Okay, like creating your listing, managing reservations, guest communication on site support, and even styling your space. So while you're making your own memories, your home can be helping another family make theirs and earning you extra cash. Find a co host@airbnb.com host I'm partnering with Simple Mills and I have now found a new Go to snack. When I'm reading Simple Mills almond flour crackers, I thought I'd review them book style because these crackers deserve it. Let's start with the premise. A snack that doesn't leave you feeling weighed down. Made with almond flour, sunflower seeds and flaxseeds. Nutrient dense ingredients your body can use with protein, vitamins and fiber. Not just empty carbs that's a solid foundation and just like a good premise needs great writing. Simple Mills almond Flour crackers also taste amazing. Classic flavors like fine ground sea salt, a crunchy texture and a light finish that leaves you feeling uplifted and energized. It's like a taste of sunshine in every bite. For a change in genre, try Pop' Ems Cheesy, airy and poppable crackers with an unexpected twist. They're packed with veggies. Here's my verdict. Simple Mills crackers are a snack staple you'll always want on your shelf. Okay, I've hit my metaphor quota for the year, but these crackers are worth it. Find simple meals at your grocery store.
- [28:43]
Lily Herman
Ready for a different take on Formula one? Look no further than no Grip, a new podcast tackling the culture of motor racing's most coveted series. Join me, Lily Herman, as we dive into the underexplored pockets of F1, including the astrology of the current grid.
- [28:57]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Lewis Hamilton, Capricorn Sun Cancer Moon Wouldn't you know it? Michael Schumacher is also a Capricorn Sun
- [29:03]
Lily Herman
Cancer Moon, the story of the Spirit Sports most consequential driver strike. We have one man who, upon hearing that he was going to be fired, freaked out and apparently climbed out the window of the bathroom. And was Daniel Ricardo's illustrious F1 career a success story, a cautionary tale, or some combination of both?
- [29:20]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
He started getting all this attention and he maybe started to think, I'm bigger than this, I'm better.
- [29:27]
Lily Herman
And plenty of other mishaps, scandals and sagas that have made for Formula One a delightful decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to no Grip on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [29:44]
Danielle Robay
Was there an overarching question that you were trying to answer while making this film?
- [29:50]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Well, I was thinking about when I first started making it. I was thinking about monstrousness. I see. And I think it's such an interesting time for this movie to be coming out, with the Epstein files and Giselle Pellico's book coming out and her talking a lot and so many other things. But I was thinking about monstrousness. And I was thinking, of course, about the ways that there is monstrousness really around us right now. We can feel it outside of us. But also what I was more interested in, in fact, was the monstrousness inside of each of us, which I believe is inside of each of us. And I was curious because it was something I was just curious about in myself. Like, whoa, that's Scary to think about. Whoa, that's dark. You know, you can spend your life running from those things, or you can turn around and shake hands with them. And I was in the process of kind of going, like, I think I wanted to turn around with them. And so then I was like, making a movie about monsters. And my question was, one of the questions was, if I'm honest about that, and I tell my story about monsters, really dealing in something truthful, and I do it in a way that's pop, that's hot. That's like getting on a roller coaster. Like, if I tell the truth, will people respond? Like, I guess the question is, is there a kind of maybe not universal truth? Because I. I'm finding it doesn't seem like it, but. But is there like, the last daughter. We did it in a tiny way. We told the truth about being a mother or having a mother, and we were very honest. And it hit like a little tiny vein. I felt it happened. And I thought, well, okay, what happens if I do it in a big way, in a pop way? Does it hit a bigger vein? What does that look like? You know? And that's one major overarching question which I haven't answered yet.
- [32:04]
Danielle Robay
I think that's cool. Tell me if I'm like, misinterpreting you, but part of me felt when you shared that, that you were like, can I feed people broccoli with, like, with their french fries? Like, can I take this mega pop Frankenstein, well known, sort of like, legacy, and give people some feminism and some real things to think about?
- [32:32]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
It depends what the truth feels like to you, to consume. Because to me, the truth is really hot. And the truth. And that's true in the movie too. Like, they don't actually get to be together until the truth comes out. Right, right.
- [32:49]
Danielle Robay
He really has a hard time with it.
- [32:51]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Right? Because he's terrified. And the truth is terrifying. But at the same time, what is a horror movie? Is a horror movie like, blood scary? It's, like, not really scary. I'm not scared. I'm talking, like, real truth. You know, is that. That broccoli or is that the hottest, the sickest, the scariest? I mean, it's like Mary Shelley says in the very beginning of the movie, you know, May, is it a horror story? Is it a ghost story? Or is it the most terrifying thing, which is a love story? You know? I mean, I am trying, you know, and like. And yet the movie is also a roller coaster. You know, you saw it. It's not like, okay, let's go to history class or something. You know, it's like you strap in and then it's Scott. It goes fast and hot. And I think that goes with truth, personally. But I don't know, see what other people think.
- [33:48]
Danielle Robay
I agree with you. And I think like the overarching theme of this interview is that the truth is hot, which I love. I think that I don't know that I've ever interviewed a director who wrote their script. I think that's so cool and very unique. What was it like directing your own script? Like, I'm wondering if you thing when things came to life, if anything changed for you, if they. If it all kind of went the way you envisioned as you were writing it.
- [34:17]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
I've only ever directed my own scripts. The Last Daughter and this. I've been sent other people's scripts and I. It scares me actually, because I think I know this. So in my bones, you know,
- [34:35]
Danielle Robay
I
- [34:35]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
guess you would get there with someone else's script. But really, you know, so much of it is about starting from a seed and how to express it. Things surprised me all the time. And I have some things to say about that, which is like, when I was an actress, I'm still an actress, but just haven't done it in a while. I would often work with directors who had decided how they wanted a scene to play. What they wanted to be expressed in their minds, alone in their rooms before any of the actors got to set. And I often thought, and I think this is very. If you ask most actors, I think they have this experience, you know, I think like, well, don't you want my mind? I mean, wouldn't this movie be better with a combination of many people's minds coming together to tell his story? You're still in charge. You still get to choose what you want to put in the movie and how you want it to work. But isn't like a coalescing of. Of many minds more interesting? And so, I mean, when I then started to direct, I was. It was very important to me to make space for the other people working with me to express themselves. Which means I'm surprised all the time. Which means that there's definitely things that were. That are expressed so differently that I. Than I imagined. And sometimes I'm like. It freaks me out a little at first and I have to sort of go, oh, okay, okay. If you. If you can change your mind, it means you have a mind, you know. So I was often surprised. And the other thing I'll say in answer to that, Is cinematically. The scope was so big and there was so much I was learning about the tools and that cinematic language that things were constantly surprising me. It was very exciting. I worked with Larry Scher on this movie, who. He's my cinematographer. And I felt like it's wild how much I learned.
- [36:45]
Danielle Robay
So flu. Is that why you've decided not to act in a little while? Like, were you just so excited by all the learnings as a director?
- [36:54]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
It's just such a bigger expression, you know? And also, like, I was talking about how sometimes as an actress, you know, you're. You come up against a block of someone who isn't interested in your expression. And so, so much time is spent, like, okay, how do I with. Without causing a stir, just protect my artistic expression and play the game? And I have a set where nobody has to do that, and I definitely don't have to do that. So I don't really. Not all directors are like that. The best directors, of course, are not like that.
- [37:30]
Danielle Robay
I will tell you, though, Maggie, that most women that I interview that are actors allude to that experience. They don't come out and just like, you know, give me all the tea. But I don't know that I've interviewed an. A female actor who hasn't shared that either on camera or off.
- [37:47]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Well, I would be really curious because it is so important to me to avoid that. I really hope that no woman who's worked on a film with me has had that experience.
- [37:58]
Danielle Robay
Or man, I bet they haven't. Because I find that when actors transition to directors, they sort of switch up all the stuff that hurt them, you know, which, like, makes it a wonderful set. Right, right.
- [38:12]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
And it's not only with actors, it's with everybody. Like, if my cinematographer and I like. But I. You know, one of the things I loved was fighting with him because we didn't fight very much, but sometimes I'd be like, oh, shit, I have a point of view. I know exactly what lensing I'm talking about. I know exactly where I want to expand in imac. I loved it because it meant I'm speaking Italian. I mean, not really, but, you know, it's like, I learned it. I'm talking to you, you know?
- [38:39]
Rachel Hochhauser
Yeah.
- [38:39]
Danielle Robay
You learn the language.
- [38:40]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Yes. It is that feeling when you're a kid of being like, when I grow up, I will never let this happen. You know, Then you get to have your own set and you're like, yeah. No, actually, really, I'm not gonna let this happen. Yeah, I for that. If you're going against the grain, which I often am. If you're a salmon swimming upstream, like, you have to fight to do it in a different way.
- [39:05]
Danielle Robay
I'm curious, though. Like, this sort of ties into a theme of the film, which is, like, women who refuse to comply. Do you think that we've progressed in how we tell stories about women with power or women who refuse to comply? Like, because you've been in this business for so long, have you seen a transition?
- [39:24]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
I've thought a lot about, like, how women express themselves on film and how some women. And of course, there are so few female directors. Someone was interviewing me recently and said this. This past year, 7% of films were made by women. It might be 8%, but it had gone down. And yet I was thinking about it and thinking so many of the movies that we're talking about right now were those 7%. So there's something compelling to people. Great point about a new voice, a new perspective, a new way of thinking and telling stories. Like, what's interesting to me and where I want to put the camera is different. Let's say, like, the most black and white example is just say, for instance, like, maybe in a love scene where I want to put the camera is. Is maybe natively different than where my husband would put the camera. I'm not sure. I'm not. I'm talking about, like, in a film. Yeah, I think. I think. And I think that's true all the way through my film and in many films I see that are. That are directed by women. A lot of people have said to me or friends, you know, that the movie's really radical and that it's got a kind of dangerous quality to it. And I don't feel it like that. I feel it like just my movie, you know, like, so funny.
- [40:55]
Danielle Robay
I think that gets back to what you were saying. When the truth is hot. And when I felt like you're giving people broccoli, like I did of, I was like, this is. It still feels subversive in 2026. But to you. You're so close to the material, it doesn't feel like it.
- [41:09]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Yeah, I mean, that's like the consistent thing I get back is feedback. I mean, I know that we're walking a line and we're. We're exploring some dangerous territory. But, you know, I'm also like, it's like a big Hollywood movie, you know, it's like, it's a party. It's a celebration of. Of not fitting in your body. You know, what's so radical about that. But I think that is radical to some people. I think that my actors would say. One thing that I hear my actors say is that I'm always like coming up and whispering in their ear. And that the thing that I'm whispering in their ear, which is really, really different depending on who I'm talking to because they're so different, is usually, I think it's like, it's like the way we communicate and are collaborating while they're acting, acting.
- [41:55]
Danielle Robay
You know, I get why they would appreciate that.
- [41:58]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Have you heard my Anna Karenina?
- [42:01]
Danielle Robay
No.
- [42:02]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
You can listen to me talk to you for 48 days and I don't know how long it is, but I love that.
- [42:21]
Danielle Robay
When you're planning a trip, it helps to have a credit card that rewards you no matter where you like to book. That's the Autograph Journey credit card from Wells Fargo. What makes a difference is how flexible it is. You can earn rewards where you like to book travel. If you like going straight to the airline or hunting down a deal on a hotel site, this card is designed to keep rewarding you. Here's how the points stack up. You get five times points with hotels, four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel, and one point on other purchases. So picture booking that hotel in the neighborhood you've always wanted to stay in, that's earning points. Grabbing flights for a last minute getaway, that's earning. Sitting down for that first dinner when you land. Still earning. Even the everyday stuff between trips can help toward your next journey. The Autograph Journey card from Wells Fargo helps turn the way you already travel, eat and explore into rewards. Learn more at Wells Fargo.com autographjourney Terms apply. Recently I went on a trip to Panama with my dad and we go on a trip every single year together. This year I had so much fun. We drank Panamanian coffee every morning. He took me on a little speedboat to the jungle and I got to see Titi monkeys. We ate absolutely delicious food. I dragged him to all the best restaurants and we always pick a book to read together set in the city we're visiting. So we picked a Panamanian thriller and it was twisty. Trips like that are truly unforgettable. And what makes it even better is staying at a place on Airbnb. Now if you're planning any upcoming trips, you could be hosting your home on Airbnb. And with Airbnb Co host network, you could hire a local co host to handle everything. Okay, like creating your listing, managing reservations, guest communication on site support and even styling your space. So while you're making your own memories, your home can be helping another family make theirs and earning you extra cash. Find a co host@airbnb.com host I'm partnering with Simple Mills and I have now found a new Go to Snack. When I'm reading Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers, I thought I'd review them book style because these crackers deserve it. Let's start with the premise A snack that doesn't leave you feeling weighed down. Made with almond flour, sunflower seeds and flaxseeds. Nutrient dense ingredients your body can use with protein, vitamins and fiber, not just empty carbs. That's a solid foundation and just like a good premise needs great writing. Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers also taste amazing. Classic flavors like fine ground sea salt, a crunchy texture and a light finish that leaves you feeling uplifted and energized. It's like a taste of sunshine in every bite. For a change in genre, try Pop' Ems Cheesy, Airy and Poppable Crackers with an unexpected twist. They're packed with veggies. Here's my verdict. Simple Mills crackers are a snack staple you'll always want on your shelf. Okay, I've hit my metaphor quota for the year, but these crackers are worth it. Find Simple Mills at your grocery store
- [45:23]
Lily Herman
Ready for a different take on Formula one? Look no further than no Grip, a new podcast tackling the culture of motor racing Most coveted series. Join me, Lily Herman, as we dive into the underexplored pockets of F1, including the astrology of the current grid.
- [45:37]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Lewis Hamilton, Capricorn Sun Cancer Moon Wouldn't you know it? Michael Schumacher is also a Capricorn Sun
- [45:44]
Lily Herman
Cancer Moon, the story of the sport's most consequential driver Strike. We have one man who, upon hearing that he was going to be fired, freaked out and apparently climbed out the window of the bathroom. And was Daniel Ricardo's illustrious F1 career a success story, a cautionary tale, or some combination of both?
- [46:01]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
He started getting all this attention and he maybe started to think, I'm bigger than this, I'm better.
- [46:08]
Lily Herman
And plenty of other mishaps, scandals and sagas that have made Formula One a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to no Grip on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast Podcasts.
- [46:27]
Danielle Robay
This segment is brought to you in partnership with Simple Mills. Before we get back to our conversation, I want to talk about how to add a little extra sunshine to your book club gatherings. And yes, of course I'm talking about the snack. So when sharing the hottest book takes over the perfect spread, it's all about setting the tone. Especially right now when it's still winter but you can feel spring starting to creep in. You start imagining that first warm day stepping outside, noticing the buds in bloom and the pep in everyone's step. That is exactly the kind of energy I'm bringing to my next book club gathering. I'm hosting one soon and when I think about the snacks, I want a pair for this month's read. I keep going back to that feeling of stepping into the sun when there's a last to dig into with a good book. I want a spread that is bright and uplifting and energizing. Kind of like the feeling of the sun but in a snack. Which is why Simple Mills is my go to. Lately I've been adding their Cheddar popums and almond flour crackers to my spread. The Cheddar popums are crunchy, cheesy and seriously snackable. And the crackers are perfect for building an easy board with spreads or cheese. They feel thoughtful without being complicated and they're exactly the kind of thing my friends can keep reaching for while we're deep in conversation. I like setting them out before everyone arrives so there's something welcoming on the table right away and without fail, someone asks me where I found them or sneaks a few more before we even open the book. It just makes the whole night feel relaxed and shared, which is really what book club is about for me. Simple Mills is sunshine and snack form with hard working, nutrient dense ingredients and amazing taste. Like a really good book. You can't wait to go back for more and to share the obsession with all of your friends. So whether you're hosting your next book club gathering or just want something that'll match your mood like a good book, find Simple Mills at your grocery store. Can I ask you an Anna Karenina question?
- [48:29]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Sure.
- [48:30]
Danielle Robay
It's kind of random, but I'm wondering if like that is it is so long you spent so much time inside of another person's mind and experiences. Did that help you adapt dialogue in your own work at all?
- [48:44]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Do you know what that helped me with? Directing. I didn't know it at the time, but when you say I spent time in someone else's mind, the mind I was in was Tolstoy's. Because what I'm doing is like what I think is so cool about an audiobook actually is. And I Didn't know this when I started, but I would be reading a scene between Anna and Vershinin. And the amazing thing about Tolstoy is you're like, who's bad? Who's good? What's the morality? It's totally. You have to think and feel and assess, and there's no right answer. And, oh, you might hate Oblonsky and think he's such a dick in the beginning, and then later you're like, you know who we need? We need Oblongski. Where is he? And then he comes and you're like, you're a hero. You. So Tolstoy gives every character so much respect. And as I said about Jesse, all the spectrum of human feelings, good and bad, that I was acting each of those characters and scenes together, I didn't do, like, weird voices. I don't know how to do that. I just felt each of them. But it's almost like directing, where you have to give everyone that respect and care. That's my job as a director. And it is quite like actually reading Tolstoy, you know.
- [50:14]
Danielle Robay
Well, you're making me wonder, doing that audiobook writing, directing. How do you decide what gets said and what gets left unsaid?
- [50:25]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Oh, yeah. Interesting. I like most things to be unsaid. Even though there's a lot of dialogue in the Bride, one of the people that the bride was inspired by is someone who is very close to me in my life, who has Tourette's. So there's like a kind of verbal. And what comes out and when. It's not random, at least not with this friend of mine, it's almost like a little electrical current down into their heart. So it's so interesting to see. And so there is a verbal aspect to the bride, but she's so rarely telling you what she needs, what she means. You know, you have to do a little work to figure that out. And that's true with all of my characters, which is the truth of humans. I think so. So, yeah, I think so. And then every once in a while, someone will say, you know, I'm really scared, you know, or whatever, and. And you'll go, oh, that's why you were screaming at me. Or. You know what I mean? So that's. That's. I don't ever want to put in exposition, but in a big movie, that was something sometimes I had to do. I had to sometimes. And I've seen some, like, big movies. Mine does not do this, but where you can tell later, they went in and they had on the Back of their head. They had someone say, I'm going to the doctor because there's a case you didn't catch me. There's a problem with the. You know, and I do think that's cheating. And I think that as much as possible, you have to tell the story in, in a different way. You have to. You have to, like, let that information out.
- [52:07]
Danielle Robay
If someone finished the Bride, what should they read next?
- [52:12]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Just going with the first thing that comes to mind. Oh, I have so many things are coming into my mind now. One thing I really. One book I really loved that was a little bit of an inspiration, although I read it so much before that. I hope I'm not, like, misremembering, but I loved George Saunders book Lincoln and the Bardo, which also deals with people in a kind of liminal place between being alive and dead and what that feels like, what that means. I loved that book, so that would be good. I'm also thinking just about one other thing that comes to mind. Real classic, which I didn't read until I was 40, probably Jane Eyre. And the reason I say that is because it's another book. It's one of the only books published written by women in the 19th century. And I think, think when I read it, I laughed it up. I was. I liked the stuff when she was a kid, but, like, really, it was that love story for me, which again, when, when, when, when. When Rochester says to her, I mentally shake hands with you. I'm like, oh, my God, that's so hot. But that's so feminine. I mean, look, there are exceptions to the rule, but, like, hilarious. What guy is writing that sexy scene? You know, that's not. That's a woman. That's a woman. And so we're so starved for that kind of perspective. And so there's two for you. Thank you.
- [53:48]
Danielle Robay
Both are so good. You seem like a person who will deep dive when you are interested in something. What are you so obsessed with right now that you could write a book about it?
- [54:01]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Imax.
- [54:03]
Danielle Robay
Say more. What do you mean?
- [54:04]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Okay, so I will say more. This movie. So obviously many movies you can see on imax, very few movies actually are shot for imax, meaning you can, in an IMAX theater, change aspect ratio. Which means that my film was shot on a 2-3:9- aspect ratio, which means it's. Yeah. Which is kind of like the way that a classic 70s 80s cinematic movie would be shot. And we decided on that aspect ratio because we were kind of saying, okay, they're monsters, but let's give them the cinematic form that would be saved for, like, your, you know, like, major heroes. But when I started to make the movie, Warner Brothers asked me if I would shoot it for imax. What it means is that even though we shot it widescreen, if you see it in an IMAX theater, it will grow vertically. If you're looking at me right now like you and I are looking at each other, if this is the widescreen frame, which is basically from the top of my head to my chin, it will grow to include the rest of the frame in IMAX. And if you go to the most special 40 IMAX screens in the world, there's only 40 of them, it will grow even taller.
- [55:23]
Danielle Robay
So.
- [55:23]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
So we shot the movie on anamorphic lenses, which only hold enough information for a widescreen format. That original format I was talking about. We had to decide beforehand places in the movie where we might want to expand and shoot on spherical lenses which contain that information. And even as we were making those choices, when we were shooting, I understood what I was doing, but I was, like, learning on the go, then in the edit, learning more, learning more. Then I realized that because I had never shot an imax, but also barely consumed imax.
- [56:00]
Danielle Robay
Yeah.
- [56:00]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
The way I imagined this vertical growing was new. I imagined it growing, animating slowly, so you feel it. So it has, like a magic. Magic quality. I also sometimes imagined it, or actually I realized this when we started doing it taking place over cuts, over edits. So it's a really slow growth. Also, usually IMAX vertical expansion is used if you're, like, in a big car chase or a big explosion or. And we do that, but. But really mostly we grow when something magic is happening or. And there's a lot of magic in the movie, obviously bringing people back to life or something really deeply emotional. And it gives you. When you watch the movie in that format, this kind of. It's, like, does feel magic. So that is something that if you don't stop me, we could sit here and talk about for so long because it's new to me, and it's really something I'm in the process of kind of digesting and learning about in my next movie. I. I really want to shoot on imax, too.
- [57:15]
Danielle Robay
I understand why after hearing you explain that.
- [57:18]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Yeah.
- [57:21]
Danielle Robay
Okay. We're gonna do a little speed read. Maggie, you think you can hang?
- [57:25]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Okay, let's try. Okay.
- [57:27]
Danielle Robay
If you could adapt any book that no one has touched yet, what would it be?
- [57:33]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
I actually want to do it, so I'm not going to tell you I'm trying that one. I'm trying to get a really good one.
- [57:40]
Danielle Robay
My only request is that when you get it and I get to interview you for the movie, you'll tell me.
- [57:47]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Yeah, yeah.
- [57:48]
Danielle Robay
What's a book that changed how. The way you see women.
- [57:52]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
I'm going to go. I'm going to go with Ferrante, I think, like, maybe the My Brilliant Friend books. Yeah.
- [57:59]
Danielle Robay
Is there a literary mother that you understand differently now?
- [58:03]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
I mean. I mean, I have so many literary mothers in my work. Oh, yes. Yes. I have a funny one, actually. I was thinking about Mrs. Bennet because I was trying to, like, get. This is a long time ago now, but I was, like, trying to get my kid into, like, a fancy private school. And I was checking my phone at this big film festival. Like, did they call me? Did they let me know? And I was like, I'm Elizabeth Bennett right now. If only she can go to kindergarten at this school, then everything will be fin. She'll be able to survive in the world. I was like, that's what she was thinking. That's why she was acting that way. That's funny. I was like, you got a really good one.
- [58:43]
Danielle Robay
If your life were a novel, what genre would critics say it is? And would they be right or wrong?
- [58:50]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
I think genre is, like. I think we're like, post genre.
- [58:55]
Danielle Robay
That's fair. I agree.
- [58:56]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
And I think, like, the movies, even that. That are really exciting to me right now, like, think about one battle after another. What genre is that? No.
- [59:04]
Danielle Robay
Don't know.
- [59:05]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
I don't think mine is a genre either. I think we're post genre.
- [59:08]
Danielle Robay
Yeah. Because, like, what would you put your. It's not horror necessarily. It could be. It's not. I don't know.
- [59:14]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
I know it's not thriller. I mean, it's not only horror. It's not only thriller. It's not only romance. It's. It's a. It's a. It's my particular expression of all of those things.
- [59:26]
Danielle Robay
What's your favorite book to recommend?
- [59:28]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Anna Karenina. I think it's, like, really one of my favorites.
- [59:31]
Danielle Robay
Is there a book that you gift most often?
- [59:34]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
You know, this is a great book that I had tried to adapt a long time ago called Mating by Norman Rush. And I bought, like, 30 copies of it. And so it's such a great novel. And it's very. It's not like the book that's on every table. It's just not. And so sometimes if. Especially if I'm giving, like, a gift to someone who might Be a reader. I think it's a good. It's a good one.
- [60:02]
Danielle Robay
Well, I'm shaking hands with you in my mind.
- [60:05]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Mentally shaking hands with me.
- [60:07]
Danielle Robay
Absolutely. And also, just a huge congratulations. This was a very special movie.
- [60:13]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Thank you. Thank you. What a nice talk. I really, really enjoyed it.
- [60:18]
Danielle Robay
Wait, before you go, we have a little teaser from the author of this month's Reese's Book Club pick, Rachel Hockey. Take a listen and don't forget to come back at the end of the month for a whole episode about her book, Lady Tremaine. Rachel, welcome to the club.
- [60:35]
Rachel Hochhauser
Thank you so much for having me. I'm so happy to be here.
- [60:38]
Danielle Robay
I'm so happy you're here. I'm also so happy for you. Congratulations. Lady Tremaine is our Reese's Book Club pink. Excuse me. Our Lady Tremaine is our March Reese's Book Club pick. So first things first. It's your debut novel. How are you celebrating Pub Day?
- [60:55]
Rachel Hochhauser
I have been waiting for pub Day for a long, long time. I am waking up bright and early to go on local news, which is a little bit terrifying because it's live and who knows what could happen? And my parents are coming into town, and I have an event that night at Powell's local bookstore here in Portland, Oregon, and I need to pack because I'll be leaving the next morning on my book tour.
- [61:21]
Danielle Robay
Wow. How long is your book tour?
- [61:23]
Rachel Hochhauser
You know, it's kind of an ideal version of a tour because I've got seven or eight stops, but they're spread out over, like, six to seven weeks, so I don't have to live in an airport for a week and a half, which. Which is really nice. I also have young kids, so I don't have to, you know, I can just leave them for a couple nights at a time.
- [61:41]
Danielle Robay
When I talk to friends who are doing book tours, who are authors, they're always most stressed out about their outfits. What will they wear at each stop? Did that stress you?
- [61:50]
Rachel Hochhauser
Oh, yeah. I have put way too much energy and thought into that. It's embarrassing.
- [61:55]
Danielle Robay
Okay, so for readers who are just picking this up, if you could personally hand this book to someone before they turn the first page, what would you want them to know? What kind of experience are they about to step into?
- [62:06]
Rachel Hochhauser
I would tell them that this book is not just a straightforward retelling of Cinderella from the stepmother's point of view. It is not untelling of Cinderella. So it's not just a villain origin story. It is kind of a dismantling of the fairy tale in the first place. And it really questions, you know, the message of the original Cinderella, that if you're. If you're beautiful and nice and a little passive, you know, you just might be lucky enough to be picked by a prince. So the whole thing takes a deep, hard look at the messaging around what a happy ever after really is. And I also like to explain that it's not fantasy. It's not a book about magic. It reads like historical fiction. And I really wanted to reflect the life of women a few hundred years ago. And it was a fun exercise to ask myself, if Cinderella were a true story, what would it have looked like?
- [63:01]
Danielle Robay
Oh, that's so cool that you were answering that question as you were writing.
- [63:05]
Rachel Hochhauser
Yeah, it was really fun to kind of think about translating the traditional plot points to real. If there was a fairy godmother, who would that be and how would that have taken shape?
- [63:18]
Danielle Robay
Well, to your point, I think we have to address the title, Lady Tremaine, because that's Cinderella's quote unquote, evil stepmother. If anybody's hesitating, saying, like, why. Why read it from her perspective? Why read that story? What would you say?
- [63:33]
Rachel Hochhauser
I would say that. I mean, that was my reason for writing the book in the first place. I. It was a fairly dramatic time in my own life.
- [63:43]
Danielle Robay
In what way, if you don't mind me asking?
- [63:45]
Rachel Hochhauser
It was. I was. My husband was really ill. We were spending a ton of time in hospitals. I was effectively caretaking for him, but also parenting our toddler. And it was just a many months long recovery. And I came across a depiction of Cinderella's evil stepmother literally in the hospital waiting room. And. And I just thought it was in that season of sacrifice myself I just saw. I said, this is not a villain motivated by harm. All she's ever done is try to advocate for her own daughters. And that's what society in the world tells mothers they should do. That's how we define good mothers, as mothers that take care of their children. And there's just such interesting tension there. So I thought I have to dig into this.
- [64:35]
Danielle Robay
But you don't think it was at the expense of another girl, Cinderella?
- [64:39]
Rachel Hochhauser
Yeah, I mean, I think that there is an interesting question there. It was at the expense of Cinderella in the traditional animated version of Cinderella. But that's not what the book is. I think the book takes a different perspective on that.
- [64:56]
Danielle Robay
Cool. Well, I know that you love hiding Easter eggs. You even tied this book to a special puzzle from your jigsaw puzzle company. What should readers keep an eye out for like, what do you think? What are details that deserve a second look?
- [65:11]
Rachel Hochhauser
Yeah, I think that what is really fun going through the book is looking for the spots that feel recognizable, but I tried to always do a U turn or a pirouette inside of those moments so that they are both recognizable but also surprising. So I think that's what's so sad as you go through the plot of the book is kind of seeing a weird mirror image of a story that we know, but it's not quite that.
- [65:38]
Danielle Robay
There's this line, Rachel, at the end of the book that gives me chills and I don't want to spoil it now, but I cannot wait to unpack it with you at the end of this month. So everybody, happy reading. Make sure that you catch up so you can join us in a few weeks. And Rachel, we'll see you soon. We'll see you back here in a few weeks. Thank you.
- [65:58]
Rachel Hochhauser
Can't wait. Thank you.
- [66:03]
Danielle Robay
And if you want a little bit more from us, come hang with us on socials. We're at Reese's Book Club on Instagram serving up books, vibes and behind the scenes magic. And I'm Danielle Robay. R O B A Y Come say hi and DM me. And if you want to go 90s on us, call us. Okay. Our phone line is open, so call now at 1-501-291-3379. That's 1, 501-291-3379. Share your literary hot takes, book recommendations, questions about the monthly pick or let us know what you think about the episode you just heard. And who knows, you might just hear yourself in our next episode. So don't be shy, give us a ring. And of course, make sure to follow Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your shows. Until then, see you in the next chapter. Bookmarked is a production of hello Sunshine and iheart Podcast. It's executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and me, Danielle Robay. Production is by Acast Creative Studios. Our producers are Maddie Foley, Brittany Martinez, Sarah Schlied. Our production assistant is Avery Loftus. Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rutter are the executive producers for Acast Creative Studios. Maureen Polo and Reese Witherspoon are the executive producers for hello Sunshine. Olga Kaminwa, Kristen Perla and Ashley Rapoport are associate producers for Reese's Book Club. Ally Perry and Lauren Hanson are the executive producers for iHeart podcasts. The Autograph Journey Credit card from Wells Fargo is built for travel. You can earn rewards wherever you book your favorite hotel, site your go to airline and more. You get five times points with hotels, four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel, and one point on other purchases. Whether it's a big vacation or a quick getaway from booking your stay to that first meal when you arrive, you're turning your trips into rewards with the autographed Journey Card from Wells Fargo. Learn more@wells fargo.com autographjourney Terms apply. Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton. We spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots and characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands but also in the world around you, in the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for a lazy weekend morning with a book. Breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like books we cherish, cotton leaves meaning into everyday moments. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something Cotton not just to read the story, but to feel it. It Cotton the fabric of our lives. Learn more@thefabricofourlives.com all the talk of probiotics can get confusing. Which to take?
- [69:07]
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Why?
- [69:08]
Danielle Robay
What does it do? Let's make it easy. Garden of Life's doctor formulated once daily Women's Probiotic is the number one women's probiotic. Why should you take it? Well, Garden of Life transforms a range of probiotic strains to support digestive, immune and vaginal health. Plus, this doctor formulated non GMO formula is designed specifically for women. Simply put, this is an easy way to support your gut health. Garden of Formulas for Feeling Alive available on Amazon Disclaimer Number 1 based on Circana 52 week multi outlet unit sales ending 113025 these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Then she says, have you seen a
- [69:53]
Lily Herman
photo of my son?
- [69:54]
Danielle Robay
And I'm like, who is this person? Welcome to the Boys and Girls Podcast. Arranged marriage is basically a reality show and you're auditioning for your soulmate. And who's judging? Only your entire family. I sacrificed myself to this ancient tradition hoping to find love the right way. And instead I found chaos, comedy and a lot of cringe. This is to boys and Girls on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.