150. Elizabeth Smart — By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept with Rosemary Sullivan and Maya Gallus

When Elizabeth Smart’s 1945 poetic prose novel “By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept” was reissued in 1966, Angela Carter called it "Madame Bovary blasted by lightning," and Morrissey has since credited Smart’s writing as having influenced his lyrics for The Smiths. This week’s guests are biographer Rosemary Sullivan and documentary filmmaker Maya Gallus, both authorities on Smart’s fascinating life and work.

Discussed: 

People:

• Elizabeth Smart (Canadian author)

• Angela Carter (novelist and literary critic)

• Morrissey (musician, songwriter, and member of The Smiths)

• Rosemary Sullivan (biographer, author of "By Heart" - biography of Elizabeth Smart)

• Maya Gallus (filmmaker, director of "Elizabeth Smart: On the Side of the Angels" documentary)

• George Barker 

Books:

• "By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept" by Elizabeth Smart

• "Madame Bovary" by Gustave Flaubert

• "The Dead Seagull" - A book written by George Barker, which portrays his version of their love affair.

• "The Assumption of Rogues and Rascals" - Also written by Elizabeth Smart, a companion piece to "By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept," where she reflects on her choices and life experiences.

• “O Caledonia” - A book by Elsbeth Barker, the final wife of George Barker, which will be discussed in a future episode

Other References:

• The Smiths (British rock band)

• Virago Press (feminist publishing house)

• Red Queen Productions (Maya Gallus' film production company)

• Charing Cross Road (famous street in London with many bookshops)

• The Book of Psalms (biblical text)

• Queen Magazine - The publication where Elizabeth Smart became the editor in 1965, bringing changes and giving a place to women writers.

• Song of Songs 

• Mann Act - A law in the United States that prohibited the transportation of women across state lines for "immoral purposes," which led to the arrest of Elizabeth Smart and George Barker.

• Sylvia Plath

• Rachel Cusk 

• Sheila Heti 

• Lena Dunham 

• Virginia Woolf

• Lidia Yuknavitch - An American writer known for her novel "The Chronology of Water," which blends memoir and fiction.

• vucavu.com - A website where Maya's documentary on Elizabeth Smart is available for streaming.