Our story today is dedicated to all the authors out there. It is a delightfully fun jab at the ever tumultuous relationship between authors and reviewers. Back in her day, the only reviewers were the journalists of certain publications. Nowadays, every one is a reviewer. Which gives a review even more impact and influence. Whether good or bad. But, as you will see in this story, the politics and engineering of getting and giving reviews has not changed. Enjoy!

It’s about marriage and divorce, women and men, and the complexity or simplicity of relationships. I love Wharton’s adept turn of phrase. She can say so much in one little sentence. For example, “It was so delicious to cry over imaginary troubles!” or “Womanlike, she wanted to turn her disobedience into a law.” While Wharton was not considered a feminist, her sympathy with her female characters and their situations in society reveals so much insight and understanding of feminist issues. Did you know that 1/3 of her 86 short stories center on The Marriage Question? And in her stories, she exposes the consequences of abortion, illegitimacy, economic dependency, and the double standard of sexual morality. Not bad for a woman who doesn’t consider herself a feminist.

This is a re-do! This story was my 5th episode, back in 2017. I was going to just re-broadcast it, but I’ve learned so much since then. I want to do it more justice. So, here it is better than before.

This story is a nod to the New Year. The New Year is often symbolized as an infant, and the passing year is depicted as an old man. Jack London gives us an exquisite example of youth vs. age. Both have advantages. Both have challenges. But who would win in a head-to-head battle? And what exactly would they be fighting for?

Here’s to the New Year. Or maybe to the old year.