The Literary Life Podcast: Episode 278 – The Literary Life of Natalia Testa

Hosts: Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks
Guest: Natalia Testa
Release Date: May 27, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 278 of The Literary Life Podcast, hosts Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks welcome a very special guest, Natalia Testa—a high school student and avid reader—to delve into her unique literary journey. This episode is part of the ongoing series “The Literary Life of,” which aims to highlight diverse readers at various stages of their lives, emphasizing that the literary life is multifaceted and evolves over time.

Summer Classes Overview

Before diving into Natalia’s literary life, the hosts briefly discuss upcoming summer classes:

• Karita Thompson’s Webinar: Nature, Myth and the Musical Imagination starting June 3rd, exploring how music narrates stories and engages imagination.

• Angelina’s Harry Potter Series: Continuing with books four and five during the last two weeks of June, focusing on how the series serves as a gateway to the literary tradition.

• Thomas Banks’s Victorian Lives Lecture Series: Six lectures on five Victorian figures, including Benjamin Disraeli, George Eliot, Florence Nightingale, General Gordon, and Karl Marx, scheduled from June 30 through July 8.

• Dr. Baxter’s Poetry Class: How to Read a Poem like C.S. Lewis and Fall in Love with Poetry in July, aimed at understanding lyric poetry through C.S. Lewis’s favorite poems.

Natalia expresses excitement about all the upcoming classes, showcasing her eagerness to engage in diverse literary explorations.

Commonplace Quotes Segment

The episode features a special segment where each participant shares a favorite literary quote:

• Thomas Banks shares a quote about Queen Victoria's limited education and her strategy to avoid exposing her knowledge gaps during conversations. (Timestamp: 08:25)

• Angelina Stanford presents a quote from Dorothy Sayers' Strong Poison: “Women geniuses don't get coddled, so they learn not to expect it.”

• Natalia Testa offers her favorite quote from Dorothy Sayers' The Mind of the Maker: “As soon as the mind of the maker has been made manifest in a work, a way of communication is established between other minds and his.”

These quotes set the tone for the episode, highlighting the intersection of intellectual rigor and literary appreciation.

Early Life and Reading Beginnings

Natalia recounts her early exposure to books, emphasizing that books were a constant presence in her household. Her first memorable book was The Owl and the Pussycat board book, read repeatedly by her mother until memorized. At around five years old, Natalia received her first library card and delved into a variety of books, from Mary Pope Osborne’s Odyssey for Children to the Magic Treehouse series, which ignited her passion for historical settings like Pompeii and ancient Greece.

Natalia’s early fascination with classical languages and mythology is evident, laying a strong foundation for her future literary interests.

Discovery of Dorothy Sayers and the Lord Peter Series

At eleven, Natalia’s literary journey took a pivotal turn when she discovered Dorothy Sayers through her desire to read a murder mystery. Her mother introduced her to Sayers’ Strong Poison, leading Natalia to become enamored with the Lord Peter series. She highlights the complexity and literary depth of Sayers' work, particularly appreciating Lord Peter’s character—his wit, literary references, and the seamless blend of humor with intricate mysteries.

Natalia shares, “I loved Lord Peter. He could detect, but he was also incredibly well-read and fun,” illustrating her deep connection with the character and the series.

Engagement with House of Humane Letters (HHL) Classes

Natalia’s relationship with HHL began through her mother’s discovery of the podcast in 2019. Initially a passive listener, Natalia became an active participant after her interest was piqued by episodes on Gaudy Night and Enchanted April. Her enthusiasm led her to enroll in HHL’s offerings, where she excelled academically and became instrumental in launching the student-run journal, the Scriptorium.

Angelina praises Natalia’s contributions, stating, “Watching you guys blossom... has just been so amazing,” highlighting Natalia’s role in fostering a vibrant literary community within HHL.

The Scriptorium: A Student-Run Journal

Natalia discusses her involvement in the Scriptorium, emphasizing its role as a platform for students to express diverse ideas through essays, poetry, and creative writing. She describes the journal as a reflection of the student body’s breadth of interests, ranging from Boethius to modern authors like Terry Pratchett.

Thomas Banks adds, “There’s everything from Boethius to Harry Potter,” underscoring the journal’s inclusive and expansive nature. Angelina echoes this sentiment, noting the sophisticated quality of the submissions despite the absence of formal writing programs.

Overcoming Reading Slumps

Both hosts and Natalia address the common challenge of reading slumps. Natalia explains that she often combats slumps by revisiting beloved books or starting new, familiar favorites to rekindle her reading habit. She mentions rereading Enchanted April and The Duchess of Malfi as strategies to regain momentum.

Angelina relates, “I try to give myself something really familiar and comforting... like a children’s classic,” emphasizing the importance of returning to known favorites to maintain a steady reading routine.

Evolution of Reading Interests

Natalia shares her evolving literary tastes, noting a growing appreciation for biographies. Initially indifferent, she began reading biographies after listening to recommendations from classmates. This shift allowed her to explore the lives and contexts of her favorite authors, deepening her understanding and appreciation for their works.

Angelina reflects on her own late start with Sayers’ biographies, highlighting how personal connections to authors enhance the reading experience. Natalia concurs, expressing a “deep kindredness” with Dorothy Sayers through her biographical studies.

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In a heartfelt conclusion, Natalia offers encouragement to younger readers and homeschooling parents. She advises, “Just keep reading. If you don’t understand it, just keep going,” advocating for persistence and the intrinsic value of engaging with challenging texts.

Angelina reinforces this message, emphasizing that children capable of handling complex literature often surprise their parents with their resilience and capacity for deep understanding. She notes, “Parents of good book students have a lot easier time with that because they see how... they blossom.”

Closing Reflections

The episode closes with reflections on the community fostered by HHL, particularly during the House of Humane Letters Family Summer Camp. Natalia describes it as “the best week of my life,” highlighting the camaraderie and shared literary passion that define the HHL experience.

Angelina and Thomas commend Natalia’s dedication and insightful contributions, expressing their pride and excitement for her future endeavors, including her upcoming trip to Italy through Hillsdale’s summer program.

Notable Quotes:

• Thomas Banks [08:25]: “She did not like to be left too long in conversation with a single individual in case the gaps in what she knew became obvious.”

• Angelina Stanford [11:43]: “Women geniuses don't get coddled, so they learn not to expect it.”

• Natalia Testa [12:15]: “As soon as the mind of the maker has been made manifest in a work, a way of communication is established between other minds and his.”

• Natalia Testa [75:20]: “I think the familiar familiarity really helps.”

• Angelina Stanford [75:47]: “It's about what you love, what you have taken into yourself, what has become yours.”

Conclusion

Episode 278 of The Literary Life Podcast offers an inspiring glimpse into Natalia Testa’s rich and dynamic literary life. Her passion for classic literature, combined with her active engagement in the House of Humane Letters community, exemplifies the transformative power of a nurturing and intellectually stimulating educational environment. Through her journey, listeners are reminded of the joys of reading, the importance of persistence, and the profound connections that literature can forge across generations.

Note: This summary captures the essence of Episode 278, highlighting key discussions, insights, and memorable quotes to provide a comprehensive overview for those who haven’t listened to the episode.