Selected Shorts Podcast Episode Summary: "Handle with Care"

Host: Meg Wolitzer
Episode Title: Handle with Care
Release Date: November 21, 2024
Description: Our greatest actors transport us through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time. Sometimes funny. Always moving. Selected Shorts connects you to the world with a rich diversity of voices from literature, film, theater, and comedy.

1. Introduction to the Episode

In the episode titled "Handle with Care," Meg Wolitzer sets the stage by exploring themes centered around the beauty and vulnerability of the natural world. She emphasizes the role of fiction in reminding us of our place within the grand design of nature, highlighting its miraculous yet fragile essence.

Notable Quote:
"Nature is as old as anything, and yet in written form, it never gets old." ([00:45])

2. First Story: "Joyas Volodorus" by Brian Doyle

Reader: Becca Blackwell
Timestamp: [03:24] - [12:14]

a. Summary

"Joyas Volodorus" delves into the intricate workings of the heart, both biological and metaphorical. Brian Doyle masterfully intertwines scientific facts with poetic reflections to portray nature's awe-inspiring scale and fragility. The narrative contrasts the relentless pace of creatures like hummingbirds with the immense strength of blue whales, underscoring the interconnectedness and vulnerability of all living beings.

b. Key Points and Notable Quotes

• Hummingbirds' Metabolism:
  "Each one visits a thousand flowers a day and they can dive at 60 miles an hour. They can fly backwards. They can fly more than 500 miles without pausing to rest." ([04:10])

• Blue Whale's Heart:
  "The biggest heart in the world is inside the blue whale. It weighs more than seven tons. It's as big as a room." ([07:50])

• Philosophical Insight on Human Connection:
  "We are utterly open with no one in the end. Not mother and father, not wife or husband, not lover, not child, not friend." ([10:45])

3. Host's Commentary on "Joyas Volodorus"

Meg Wolitzer:
Meg reflects on the story's intricate construction, comparing it to the chambers of a heart. She praises Brian Doyle for his ability to blend scientific detail with poetic depth, creating a mesmerizing narrative that seamlessly transitions from the minuscule to the grandiose.

Notable Quote:
"Writers have access to a secret telescope and are able to pull back and go close as needed in this gem of a story." ([12:14])

4. Second Story: "Fox 8" by George Saunders

Reader: John Cameron Mitchell
Timestamp: [16:55] - [54:32]

a. Summary

"Fox 8" presents a poignant fable narrated by a fox who learns to speak human language. Through Fox 8's journey, George Saunders critiques environmental degradation and human encroachment on nature. The story juxtaposes the innocent perspective of the fox with the harsh realities of human actions, blending humor with tragedy to underscore the consequences of environmental neglect.

b. Key Points and Notable Quotes

• Metaphorical Use of Hummingbirds:
  "So much held in a heart in a lifetime. So much held in a heart in a day, an hour, a moment." ([07:30])

• Environmental Destruction by Humans:
  "They dug up our primary forest. They tore out our leaning tree, they wrecked our shady drinking spot and made totally flat the highest place of which we know from where we can see all of creation." ([34:15])

• Fox 8's Isolation and Guilt:
  "Fox 7 is dead and it is all my fault. Why had I ever had that dumb idea of entering the mall?" ([53:10])

• Human Cruelty Depicted Through Interaction:
  "He threw that hat at us. From the sound it made upon not hitting us, but only parking, I saw it must be made of rock." ([50:22])

5. Host's Commentary and Introduction to Book Club

Meg Wolitzer:
After "Fox 8," Meg introduces the Selected Shorts Book Club, highlighting its collaboration with the Mother Daughter Book Club. She lauds George Saunders's genius in creating unique character voices and the depth of his storytelling, emphasizing how "Fox 8" serves as a perfect example of his ability to engage listeners on multiple levels.

Notable Quote:
"Fox 8 was a perfect story for our recent collaboration with the Mother Daughter Book Club." ([54:32])

6. Book Club Discussion

Participants:

• Meg Wolitzer
• John Cameron Mitchell
• Unnamed Participant

Timestamp: [55:47] - [60:09]

a. Creative Writing Style

• John Cameron Mitchell:
  "The fox has a very creative way of writing." ([55:47])

• Meg Wolitzer:
  "It's very phonetic. So we have things like books spelled as B U K s. We have wood, which is W D rite, spelled R I, T, E." ([55:52])

b. Emotional and Thematic Impact

• Emotional Depth:
  John Cameron Mitchell:
  "It's a fable, and it's both hilarious and tragic... it really made me so, so sad." ([56:18])

• Environmental Themes:
  Unnamed Participant:
  "It's really dark." ([56:43])

  John Cameron Mitchell:
  "He felt like someone or something that's innocent see human cruelty and its random acts and how sad that can be." ([56:43]-[57:08])

• Political Undertones:
  Meg Wolitzer:
  "Saunders is making a point about what we've done to screw everything up and the tragedy of how we've ruined the Earth." ([57:55])

c. Language and Irony

• Irony in Human Zones:
  John Cameron Mitchell:
  "The human zones are called Riverwalk Estate... Hummingbird Way, Slow Stream Avenue, Melody Manor Passage." ([59:51])

• Complexity of Language:
  John Cameron Mitchell:
  "It's a fable, and it's both hilarious and tragic... it really made me so, so sad." ([56:18])

7. Conclusion

Meg Wolitzer:
Meg wraps up the episode by highlighting the profound messages embedded within both stories. She underscores the delicate balance between appreciating nature's wonders and recognizing the detrimental impact of human actions. Meg encourages listeners to reflect on their responsibilities in preserving the natural world, drawing inspiration from the evocative narratives presented.

Notable Quote:
"Preachy fiction is rarely successful. And these two subtle and complex works don't need to preach to remind us that we're part of an equally subtle and complex nature order." ([59:58])

Additional Highlights:

• Book Club Insights:
  The Mother Daughter Book Club members appreciate the phonetic creativity and emotional depth of "Fox 8," acknowledging its ability to blend humor with profound tragedy. They discuss the challenges of addressing environmental issues through storytelling, noting Saunders's effectiveness in making such themes accessible and impactful.

• Emotional Resonance:
  Both stories elicit a strong emotional response, with listeners expressing sadness over environmental destruction and appreciation for the nuanced portrayal of nature's fragility.

• Thematic Connections:
  The episode ties together the scientific awe of "Joyas Volodorus" with the satirical critique of "Fox 8," creating a comprehensive exploration of nature's complexity and humanity's role within it.

This episode of "Selected Shorts" masterfully combines storytelling with insightful discussions, offering listeners both literary enjoyment and thoughtful reflections on the natural world and our place within it.