Overdue Podcast Summary: Episode 711 - Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey

Podcast Information:

• Title: Overdue
• Hosts: Andrew and Craig
• Episode: 711 - Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
• Release Date: July 14, 2025
• Description: Overdue is a podcast dedicated to exploring the books you've been meaning to read. Each week, hosts Andrew and Craig delve into a new title from their reading backlog, covering a diverse range of genres from classic literature to obscure plays and quirky children's books.

1. Introduction (00:02 – 01:30)

The episode begins with Andrew and Craig welcoming listeners to Overdue, emphasizing their commitment to the joy of discovery in storytelling. They introduce the week's book, Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey, characterizing it as a Western set in a post-apocalyptic future.

Notable Quote:

• Andrew [01:30]: "It's called Upright Women Wanted. It's by Sarah Gailey."

2. Author Background and Context (03:03 – 06:33)

Andrew and Craig delve into Sarah Gailey's background, highlighting Gailey's extensive work in both fiction and non-fiction. They discuss Gailey's early influences, including reading materials like Goosebumps and Fear Street, and their brief stint studying theater. The hosts touch upon Gailey's transition from theater to writing, inspired by a friend's feedback.

Notable Quotes:

• Craig [04:03]: "Gailey grew up reading stuff like Goosebumps and Fear Street Shout Out Jovial Bob Nice, as well as works by Clive Barker."
• Andrew [06:12]: "I think they are like, the more you tell me I can't do it, the more I'm going to work harder at it."

3. Book Overview and Plot Summary (07:00 – 38:01)

Andrew provides a comprehensive overview of Upright Women Wanted, describing it as a novella set in a speculative future United States. The world-building is centered around a fragmented nation with reduced governmental services, leading to the emergence of the Pack Horse Library Project-inspired librarians who distribute approved materials via horseback in rural areas.

Key Points:

• Setting: A dystopian future where the U.S. government restricts access to information, leading to societal control.
• Main Characters:
  • Esther: Protagonist escaping an arranged marriage and mourning a lost romantic relationship.
  • Leda and Bet: Librarians who are romantically involved and part of the rebellion.
  • Sai: An apprentice librarian.
  • Amity: A rebellious woman associated with the insurrection.

Plot Highlights:

• Esther stows away on a librarian's wagon, fleeing societal expectations and a tragic past.
• The librarians, while distributing approved materials, secretly disseminate contraband literature to foster rebellion.
• Encounter with a posse led by a sheriff reveals deeper conflicts and Amity's role in the insurrection.
• The narrative emphasizes the intertwining of queer identities with the rebellion against an oppressive regime.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew [12:02]: "They are out here in the desert where nobody can see. They're using different pronouns and they're having same-sex relationships."
• Craig [24:25]: "It's more about just control."

4. Themes and Analysis (38:02 – 43:45)

The hosts explore the central themes of the novella, focusing on queerness, rebellion, and the struggle against oppressive societal structures. They draw parallels to historical and contemporary issues, such as the Hays Code's impact on representation and the resilience of marginalized communities.

Key Discussions:

• Queer Representation: The bookstore librarians are not only part of the rebellion but also embody queer identities, challenging the oppressive norms.
• Rebellion and Control: The distribution of approved materials serves as both a tool for control and a means of fostering dissent.
• Optimism and Hope: Despite the dystopian setting, the narrative carries an inherently optimistic message about resistance and community.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew [10:47]: "It's about imagining the possibility and promise of queer futures."
• Craig [24:35]: "It's more about just control."

5. Critique and Reviews (43:46 – 58:14)

Andrew and Craig discuss various reviews of Upright Women Wanted, highlighting both praise and criticisms. Common points include the novella's brevity, which some reviewers felt led to underdeveloped characters and rushed world-building. However, the overall consensus acknowledges Gailey's engaging blend of classic Western elements with speculative fiction and queer narratives.

Reviewer Insights:

• Jason Heller (NPR): Praised the fusion of Western aesthetics with queer speculative twists.
• Lesbrary.com: Described the novella as "perfect bite-sized story" that could benefit from being expanded into a full-length novel.
• Goodreads: Mixed reviews pointing out the enjoyable writing and plot but noting the desire for more extensive world-building and character development.

Notable Quotes:

• Craig [50:14]: "I could easily see the characters and situation being worked into a larger story."
• Andrew [53:06]: "It's not a negative thing, just that it's a short book and that's what gets sacrificed."

6. Personal Reactions and Final Thoughts (58:15 – 61:23)

The hosts share their personal reactions to the novella, discussing the character of Esther and the overall message of resilience. They compare Upright Women Wanted to other works like Stone Butch Blues and The Handmaid's Tale, noting Gailey's unique approach to speculative future narratives.

Key Points:

• Character Connection: While Murderbot remains memorable due to its distinctive voice, Esther is seen as more of a "cipher," making it harder to root for her fully.
• World-Building Choices: Gailey intentionally avoids deep dive into the sequence of events leading to the dystopian state, focusing instead on overarching themes and character dynamics.
• Optimistic Messaging: Emphasizes the importance of community and hope in the face of oppression, aligning with the podcast's overall positive tone.

Notable Quote:

• Andrew [61:18]: "It's here to make a point that is fundamentally optimistic. It's not really, like, moping too much or wallowing around too much. It's meant to be affirming."

7. Conclusion and Wrap-Up (61:24 – 65:00)

Andrew and Craig conclude the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with them through various platforms and to continue supporting the podcast via Patreon. They briefly mention upcoming projects and books, maintaining the episode's positive and community-focused vibe.

Notable Quotes:

• Craig [62:53]: "The show wouldn't be possible without you."
• Andrew [63:32]: "If you hear us talk about a book and you're like, oh, that sounds like my thing, you can go there and buy the book."

Overall Summary: In Episode 711 of Overdue, Andrew and Craig delve into Sarah Gailey's novella Upright Women Wanted, a speculative Western that intertwines themes of queerness and rebellion within a dystopian future United States. The hosts provide a thorough exploration of Gailey's world-building, character dynamics, and overarching messages of hope and community resilience. While the novella receives praise for its unique blend of genres and optimistic outlook, some critiques highlight the limitations imposed by its brevity, suggesting a potential for a more expansive narrative. The episode encapsulates the essence of Overdue—celebrating overlooked or overdue books through engaging discussions and insightful analysis.

Notable Quotes for Reference:

• Andrew [01:30]: "It's called Upright Women Wanted. It's by Sarah Gailey."
• Craig [04:03]: "Gailey grew up reading stuff like Goosebumps and Fear Street Shout Out Jovial Bob Nice, as well as works by Clive Barker."
• Andrew [10:47]: "It's about imagining the possibility and promise of queer futures."
• Craig [50:14]: "I could easily see the characters and situation being worked into a larger story."
• Andrew [61:18]: "It's here to make a point that is fundamentally optimistic."

For More Information:

• Visit overduepodcast.com to explore more episodes and discover additional book recommendations.
• Support the podcast and gain access to bonus content by joining at patreon.com/overduepod.