Send us a textWhen Edna O’Brien published her debut novel The Country Girls in 1960, she was branded a “Jezebel” in her native Ireland—but that didn’t stop her from completing a poignant trilogy about a pair of friends coming of age in a world for which village life and convent school failed to prepare them. Despite initial backlash to her sexually frank depiction of young women’s lives and desires, O’Brien’s writing brought her acclaim and celebrity status—Vanity Fair dubbed her “the playgirl of the western world.” Novelist Edan Lepucki joins us to discuss the trilogy’s timeless appeal and the complicated-but-endearing friendship of characters Kate Brady and Baba Brennan.Mentioned in this episode:The Country Girls trilogy by Edna O’BrienEdna O’Brien interview on BBC’s “World Book Club”Time’s Mouth by Edan LepuckiCalifornia by Edan LepuckiWoman No. 17 by Edan LepuckiMother’s Before by Edan LepuckiItalics Mine Substack by Edan LepuckiAnne of Green Gables by L.M. MontgomeryLost Ladies of Lit Episode No. 35 on Maud Hart LovelaceMrs. Beeton’s Book of Household ManagementErnest GéblerLonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryThe Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry“Laverne & Shirley”Beaches filmThSupport the showFor episodes and show notes, visit: LostLadiesofLit.comSubscribe to our substack newsletter. Follow us on instagram @lostladiesoflit. Email us: Contact — Lost Ladies of Lit Podcast

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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