In this discussion between Linda and the magnificent Eastern Townships of Quebec writer, Louise Penny, they are initially joined by her dogs, Muggins and Charlie (see our social media feed!). And, of course, the conversation was greatly enriched by her dogs’ vocal contributions. After a short and lively exchange with them, Louise and Linda turn to her most recent novels The Grey Wolf and The Black Wolf, which just came out in paperback in August, and The Last Mandarin (Macmillan; her second collaboration, this time with journalist Melissa Fung), which just came out in hardcover.

Penny really needs almost no introduction - but she is the author of the best-selling mystery series that features Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and has published over 20 novels, which have been translated into over 23 languages, sold millions of copies worldwide, and repeatedly reached number 1 on the New York Times Best Seller list. In this episode, she and Linda discuss questions of democracy, rights, daily acts of kindness, decency, and love, and who really is the villain. Questions posed by Ceri Morgan and Julie Rak through social media are also included toward the end of this episode (26:09).

Some other points of discussion:

• Democracy’s Second Act by Peter MacLeod and Richard Johnson
• Role of insight (23:39)
• Discussions of the character of the villain (24:00)
• AI (25:00)
• The Takeaway with Louise Penny's advice (29:19)

Producer: Linda Morra; Associate Producer: Maia Harris; Music: Raphael Krux; Sound Production: Jason C.

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This is Getting Lit with Linda’s 100th episode – a real milestone! To mark this specific achievement, three scholars join Linda to speak about an historic author rather than a contemporary one: the magnificent Jane Rule. Born in 1936, she authored several short story collections, essays, and novels, including The Desert of the Heart (Talon), a landmark novel published in 1964 and made into a movie in 1985. The movie was titled Desert Hearts (2.10) directed by Donna Deitch. The three scholars are Marilyn Schuster, “the godmother of Jane Rule Studies” (3.00; author of Passionate Communities and A Queer Love Story, 14.15 ), Amber Dean (working on a second volume of Jane Rule’s letters exchanged with Rick Bébout, 14:18 ), and Cate Sandilands (completing a collection of stories, titled Dear Jane Rule). Linda has also comipleted her biography about Rule. Why are they so enamored of her? You’ll have to listen to this episode to find out!

They talk about some of Rule’s novels, short stories, and essays, including The Desert of the Heart (1.55; 6:00; 6:55), The Young in One Another’s Arms (7:45), Inland Passage, (9:38), Lesbian Images (9:00), This is Not for You (12.54), and Contract with the World (12.04). They also speak about the following:

· Some of Jane Rule’s awards (Order of British Columbia and Order of Canada, 1.20)

· David Anderson (11:12), a scholar who completed his doctorate in the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University

· James Baldwin (17:55) and the citation, “If I am not what you say I am, then you are not who you think you are.”

· Jane’s letters and prolific letter writing (17.40; 22:45; 28:25)

· Public lesbianism (16.32); being critical of insular heteronormativity (17.10)

· Galiano Island (22:45; 28:15), their swimming pool (25:54), and the Bank of Jane (26:19)

Stick around for the takeaway and their advice to aspiring writers and researchers!

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