Who's on First? Frances Brooke's The History of Emily Montague, with Dr. Kate Ready

Season 3, Ep. 38

Ever wonder what was the "first" book of Canadian literature? How do we even know how to define what that would be? In this episode, Linda chats with eighteenth-century British literature scholar, Dr. Kathryn Ready, about what is sometimes claimed as the first book of Canadian literature--Frances Brooke's The History of Emily Montague. Linda and Dr. Ready may -- or may not -- have tussled over whether this book is British or Canadian, but what they absolutely do is consider the finer aspects of the novel and its global investments.

Host & Writer: Linda Morra, Co-producers: Linda Morra & Marco Timpano, Music: Raphael Krux

Linda opens with a consideration of "firsts" (referencing Abbott and Costello's comedy routine, "Who's on First?," 1.05) and then turns to Dr. Ready who speaks about the following:

• epistolary narratives, tradition of letter-writing (4.25; 5.15)

• Samuel Richardson's Pamela (4.35, 6.30)

• Frances Brooke (8.25)

• travel writing (11.25)

• aesthetic of the sublime and beautiful (11.40)

• the Seven Years War (12.05)

And so much more ....