James Ker-Lindsay introduces us to the beautiful and complex island of Cyprus, the setting of Elif Shafak’s The Island of Missing Trees. Ker-Lindsay is a scholar whose research focuses on conflict, and peace and security in South East Europe. He tells us about the history of the Cyprus conflict and describes barriers to reunification. We also hear about his personal connection to Cyprus and his experience as a historical consultant for Elif Shafak as she wrote The Island of Missing Trees.
In The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, young lovers Defne and Kostas are torn apart by the Cyprus war in the 1970s. When they meet again, 25 years later, Defne has become part of a team dedicated to finding graves of war victims and Kostas has become a scholar who focuses on trees. Their career paths mirror the emotional journeys they have taken since they were separated. Defne has buried the secrets from her past. Kostas has not healed from his memories of times with Defne at the local tavern, The Happy Fig. We discuss the book, what we remember about the war in Cyprus, sentient trees, #CanYouHearMeNow, and much more.
Was sexism in the STEM workplace really as bad as that faced by Elizabeth Zott in Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry? Cultural historian Julie Des Jardins leads us through the experiences of women in the workforce in the 20th-century. Let’s just say, most women scientists faced a lot of barriers! We also learn about Julie’s current work to increase diversity in STEM fields at the Center for Quantum Networks at the University of Arizona. She outlines for us the 21st century challenges for women in science as well as the strategies she is using to create cultural change in STEM fields.
In this laugh out loud funny novel, Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant chemist who just wants to do her research, but it's the 1960s and none of the men in her field quite know what to do with this determined woman, so mostly they attempt to ruin her. Except for Calvin Evans, the renowned but awkward chemist who is as dazzled by her mind as her beauty. He wants to marry her, which she refuses on the basis it will destroy what small career she has been able to carve out for herself. Within a year, Calvin is gone, Elizabeth has had his child, she has been fired, she has become a TV cooking show phenomenon, and she is as far from her dream to be left alone to do chemistry as she possibly could be. And people and one incredibly perceptive dog keep attaching themselves to her. Is chemistry all there is, or might there be more for Elizabeth? Linda and Nancy discuss this book, its zany characters, and sexism in the 1960s.
In Tess Gunty’s The Rabbit Hutch, Blandine is obsessed by Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th century abbess. We wanted to learn more about this German theologian, composer, and botanist, so asked Dr. Jennifer Bain to join us. She is the editor of The Cambridge Companion to Hildegard of Bingen and professor of Musicology and Gender and Women's Studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Think the multi-hyphenates of today are impressive? You need to hear about Hildegard!
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