230: Literary Jewelry with Leigh Batnick Plessner
January was dismal, but we’re distracting ourselves with something shiny in this first new full-length episode of the year. Catbird Chief Creative Officer Leigh Batnick Plessner joins us to explore three works by women writers, each of whom used jewelry as a powerful storytelling device. Louise de Vilmorin, Maria Edgeworth and Dorothy Parker feature diamond earrings, friendship bracelets and a pearl necklace, respectively, to reflect the deepest desires and ambitions of the characters who wore them. We hope this little gem of an episode helps you find some beauty and meaning in challenging times.
Mentioned in this episode:
Madame de by Louise de Vilmorin
“The Bracelets” by Maria Edgeworth
“The Standard of Living” by Dorothy Parker
Lost Ladies of Lit Episode No. 77 on Daisy Fellowes
Lost Ladies of Lit Episode No. 39 on Nancy Mitford
Duff Cooper
“Chichi Devil” (New York Times) by Christopher Petkanas
The Earrings of Madame de by Max Ophuls
Essay by Molly Haskell on The Earrings of Madame de
The Lovers and Julietta by Louise de Vilmorin
The Absentee, Castle Rackrent and Belinda by Maria Edgeworth
Lost Ladies of Lit