Double X Gabfest

Haven't read the book but anything by Byatt is usually worth the time. I understand the novel is about the golden age of children's literature in England, ending with the upheaval of WW I - this might lead naturally to a comparison of kid lit now and then. Are books for children meant to comfort, warn, instruct? I feel that these books today tend to be too didactic, although there are some valiant exceptions, like the Inkheart series.

Those are great qus Ellen. Byatt's book doesn't treat children's list of a source of instruction. Warning, maybe, in the classic fairy tale sense. And yes I am an Inkheart fan, too, or rather my 9-year-old son is.

Why more women than men believe in God: I know that if I just love Him enough, I can change Him.

LOL

^^Win. Thanks for the link, my Google-Fu has been failing me and i couldn't track it down!

i've been hearing 'An Education' mentioned but not much about it. i think nick hornby wrote the scrreenplay. he is great with creating female characters.

Interested to hear your thoughts on fertility treatments, generally, and NYT article on twins born of treatment, specifically. It sorta confirmed my previous knee-jerk opinion that IVF was crazy option from both cost and risk point of view but maybe I was just haven't sought out the decent pro-treatment arguements.

I thought that the discussion about the real divider was very interesting because I actually think the divider lies in whatever your biggest anxieties are. So the big dividers in friendships is the feelings that one has something, looks, money, family, etc. that is not attainable for the other.

Bought the book and I can't wait to read it!

I haven't read it, but hearing your discussion will either urge me to read it, or will be like an intelligent review and an abridged version from three excellent view points. I look forward to it either way!

you guys are awesome. i loved the commentary about the video. ive been thinking about the use of the imagery - and use of the images of women in conflicts (and 'enemy states') in general. in regards to marriage - i grew up with parents who were unhappily married and i definitely sensed it early on without knowing what it was. they stayed together ... Read Moreuntil i was in my teens so i dont know if i wouldve been happier with them separated but it has definitely colored my view of marriage and relationships. anyways... great podcast. thanks! you guys are fun to listen to.

when's the next gabfest? I am really looking forward to hearing it. Loved your last discussion!

Thanks Dawn. The next one is up now!

Thanks to everyone who wrote in to alert us of the issue with the podcast cutting off after 9 minutes. Slate's podcasting guru is out of the office today, but those of us will lesser guru skills will do our best to figure out what's going on and will let you know when the other 16 minutes are there.

OK, this problem seems to be fixed now. Let us know (podcasts@doublex.com) if you're still only getting the first 9 minutes. Thanks.

oops. misplaced a couple important "e"s above....

I don't think there are links posted on XX, but the book Hanna mentioned was:
http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Calpurnia-Tate-Jacqueline-Kelly/dp/0805088415