Arts

The Emmas

Dear Listener, Emma M. Lion has been keeping a journal—and we have had the presumption to read it. Twice.

The Emmas is the unselected, unendorsed, and unsponsored—but very enthusiastic—book club podcast devoted to discussing, dissecting, appreciating, and occasionally overthinking all the happenings of St. Crispian’s. Join four friends as we revisit every plot twist, literary reference, mysterious backstory, and questionable decision.

All rights to the story belong to Beth Brower. This independent fan project is intended for commentary, discussion, celebration, and fair use.

Latest Episodes:

"Come Hell or High Water" • Volume 1: April 8 - April 30 Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

A storm is brewing—or is that a tempest? No matter, Emma will weather it, whatever is revealed when it calms. We discuss the details of Emma’s financial situation, the enchantments of St. Crispian’s, what we’ve learned about our cast of characters so far (and what we haven’t), and the arrival of the Tenant. From The Tempest to the value of the British pound in 1883, we cover it all!

Next time, we will be reading from Volume 2 through the end of May.

Show Notes

Laura watched this version of The Tempest, which is free on YouTube. We hope to watch this version with Jesse Buckley, sometime soon.
Please note that we got our math a little wrong during our discussion of the value of the British pound! Today, £1 from 1883 is worth £157.83, or $209 USD, $296 CAD. Arabella’s gift to Emma was £5, which today is worth £789, $1045 USD, or $1480 CAD. The idea is the same—that’s a lot of money!
VictorianLondon.org, created by historian Lee Jackson, was used as a source for the money segment.

Books Mentioned

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 1 by Beth Brower

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Our music is the Patience Overture, composed by Arthur Sullivan (NI5066) courtesy of Wyastone Estate Limited. This episode was edited by Eliza Billingham.

You can follow us on Substack and Instagram @theemmaspodcast. Email us at theemmaspodcast@gmail.com.

All rights to the story belong to Beth Brower. This podcast is an independent fan project created for commentary, discussion, and celebration of the series, and is intended to constitute fair use.

Meet Emma and The Emmas • Volume 1: March 5 - April 7 Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Meet The Emmas: Anna, Angèle, Laura, and Ellie! We discuss how the podcast got out of the group chat and into your earbuds, share a little about ourselves and our friendship as a group, and present the structure for the podcast. In this episode, we discuss the first half of Volume 1, meet our favorite citizen of St. Crispian's, and the journal as a format.

Next time, we will be reading from April 7 to the end of Volume 1!

SHOW NOTES

Read Ellie’s amazing Substack on why and how to start a bookclub, “This fall, start a book club”.
A Thousand Blows on Hulu and Disney+

Books Mentioned

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 1by Beth Brower
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Gravity and Graceby Simone Weil
The Q by Beth Brower
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
Anne of Green Gablesby L. M. Montgomery
Station Elevenby Emily St. John Mandel
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
The Selected Journals of L. M. Montgomery
A Midwife’s Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulric
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Our music is the Patience Overture, composed by Arthur Sullivan (NI5066) courtesy of Wyastone Estate Limited.

You can follow us on Substack and Instagram @theemmaspodcast. Email us at theemmaspodcast@gmail.com.

All rights to the story belong to Beth Brower. This podcast is an independent fan project created for commentary, discussion, and celebration of the series, and is intended to constitute fair use.

The Emmas Trailer Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Pour yourself a cup of tea, grab a slice of cake, and pull up your armchair – your newest listening companion has arrived on the scene! We are excited to announce a new fan podcast, The Emmas, an unselected, unendorsed, and unsponsored—but very enthusiastic—book club podcast devoted to discussing, dissecting, appreciating, and occasionally overthinking all the happenings of St. Crispian’s. We invite you to join us in what we are sure will be the highlight of the season. Or is it, The Season?

Our theme music is an excerpt from the Patience Overture composed by Arthur Sullivan (NI5066) courtesy of Wyastone Estate Limited.