Episode 80 - Tehanu, by Ursula K. Le Guin

We discussed Tehanu, by Ursula K. Le Guin and nearly broke ourselves in the process! A book so emotion-inducing that we had to take a recovery break before recording, Tehanu takes us across Gont in the capable arms of Tenar. She ponders her identity as she cares for abandoned child Therru and deals with a deeply depressed, stripped-of-his-magic Ged. We dive into women’s anger, women’s work and women’s magic - which is neither wicked nor weak, contrary to the Earthsea aphorism. One of Le Guin’s most controversial and polarizing works, Tehanu is a powerful look at the value of domesticity and the ways we shape our own lives. Join us!

Thanks to all the listeners who requested that we continue on through Earthsea!

CW: Broad discussion of child abuse & assault.

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Other episodes mentioned:

• Emperor Mage, by Tamora Pierce

• The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley

Episode 79 - Ronia, the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren

We’re disappearing into the wood with Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter by Astrid Lindgren! We soak up all the unbridled nature-borne joy, spring yells and siblingship pacts our cold winter hearts desperately needed. Ronia, Birk and their respective robber clans have never been so welcome! Join us in this blessed escape to a forest of rumphops, grey dwarves, wild horses, strawberries and confident-beyond-their-years kids - we savored every page and we’re certain you will, too.

This episode was a listener request - thank you, Michelle! If you’d like to request a book for coverage, leave a comment or email us at dragonbabiespodcast@gmail.com.

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Our Wizard of Oz VHS cover

Sosban Fach, the Saucepan Song

Other episodes mentioned:

• The Borrowers, by Mary Norton

• Stardust, by Neil Gaiman

Episode 78 - Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke

We’re on a metafiction binge! Inkheart by Cornelia Funke has characters, readers and writers galore - and they can’t seem to stop getting mixed up in one another’s worlds. We unpack the dark and often violent situations 12-year-old protagonist Meggie finds herself in, and ponder who is the ultimate Saddest Character. This is what happens when fairy tales and real life collide - a whole lot more sociopathy than you’d expect! Cozy up with your smelly marten and listen in.

Note - Grace’s voice becomes allergy-ridden halfway through because we recorded over a couple days - enjoy?

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I shan’t embed his image here, but should you wish to gaze upon Worms, Madeleine’s mental picture of Dustfinger, you have been warned - https://pathologic.gamepedia.com/Worms

Inkeart (2008)

Parisian hot chocolate

Other episodes mentioned -

• The Great Good Thing, by Roderick Townley

• The Neverending Story, by Michael Ende

A few martens for you to enjoy

Episode 77 - The Great Good Thing, by Roderick Townley

We venture into the metafictional world of The Great Good Thing, by Roderick Townley! A story within a story, this book takes us through four generations of a family as the women write, read and retell the tale of Princess Sylvie and her daring deeds. We discuss our anxieties about characters waiting for us to read about them, wonder how the Invisible Fish feels about its role in the kingdom and even touch on one of Madeleine’s awkward high school dates at Red Lobster. Crack open the Dragon Babies book and join us (just don’t get jam on the pages)!

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Other episodes mentioned:

• The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley

• The Neverending Story, by Michael Ende

Neopets gruel:

Episode 76 - The King of Attolia, by Megan Whalen Turner

We're continuing our journey through Megan Whalen Turner's Queen's Thief series! The King of Attolia continues to deceive both the reader and protagonist as Eugenides plays his best hapless fool and his guard Costis puzzles through the ensuing mess. Political intrigue abounds as we sprint from one end of the palace to the other, trying to keep the hunting dogs in their compound, thwarting assassination attempts and desperately grabbing for a crust of bread where we can get it. What is this, a metaphor for 2020?? Join us! And if you haven't heard our episodes on The Thief and The Queen of Attolia, be sure to check those out.

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The fascinating / inaccurate plot breakdown by percentage - The King of Attolia on Allreaders.com

How to Cook That Youtube channel

The Thief Being Adapted by Disney+

Our other episodes from The Queen’s Thief series -

• The Thief

• The Queen of Attolia