Where Fiction Meets Friction
Some of the best writing about women’s lives happens between women—in group texts, email threads, and the conversations that start before the wine is poured and end well after it’s gone. Book Club Drama is a fictional series about a real thing: what actually happens when smart, opinionated, hilarious women try to read the same book at the same time. New episodes drop monthly. This will be a series of six episodes. — Susan Dabbar, Editor-in-Chief
Subject: Re: Next Month’s Book—All Fours
From: Laurie (Host)
To: Prose & Cons Book Club
Date: Friday, 9:35 p.m.
Hi everyone,
A reminder that our pick this month is All Fours by Miranda July. Can’t wait to discuss! See you next Thursday at 6:30—I’m firing up the salmon.
Laurie
From: Melissa
Date: Saturday, 9:14 a.m.
I’m on page 27 and already deeply uncomfortable. Too freaking explicit. Surprised you chose this, Laurie!
From: Lisa
Date: Monday, 9:27 a.m.
Agree. Had to hide my Kindle from my trainer. I thought this book was supposed to be about a road trip? Didn’t expect Eat, Pray, Dildo.
From: Diane
Date: Monday, 10:05 a.m.
Hey all. It was moi who suggested this book to Laurie after someone said her initial selection (Cutting for Stone) was too long for a fall pick, not to mention all the gory surgery. The New Yorker called AF “profoundly feminist and hilarious.” And everyone in Amagansett was reading it on the beach.
From: Janet
Date: Monday, 10:14 a.m.
It’s about aging and autonomy so our convo should be … interesting. Maybe read past page 30 before judging?
From: Barb
Date: Monday, 10:22 a.m.
I’m on page 42. This ain’t Gloria Steinem’s feminism.
From: Abby
Date: Monday, 11:01 a.m.
I’m halfway through and I’m finding it brilliant and courageous, especially the through line about redecorating a tacky motel room! That’s my kind of community service, lol.
From: Janet
Date: Monday, 11:32 a.m.
Hey Team Estrogen,
I just listened to seven or eight podcasts with the author while I was packing lunches for Meals on Wheels. Did you know All Fours was a finalist for the National Book Award? A prize given out by midlifers not ready to give up passion.From: Lisa
Date: Monday, 11:34 a.m.
Yikes, seven or eight podcasts about perimenopause in Monrovia?
From: Laurie
Date: Monday, 12:02 p.m.
Let’s remember: no spoilers. If the book offends you, we can discuss that respectfully on Thursday.
From: Ellen
Date: Monday, 12:18 p.m.
Just a reminder about my garbanzo allergy, so I would appreciate no hummus. I’ll be there with a bottle of Casamigos.
From: Melissa
Date: Monday, 12:34 p.m.
From: Gail
Date: Monday, 12:48 p.m.
From: Abby
Date: Monday, 1:05 p.m.
Oh no, on top of your sciatica?
From: Gail
Date: Monday, 6:36 p.m.
Yeah, and insane bloating! I’ll tell you ALL about it next month. Fingers crossed I can get in to see my gastro, rheumatologist, and naturopath.
From: Gloria
Date: Tuesday 3:12 a.m.
Greetings from Bhutan. I’m on a yak but with all of you in spirit. I did finish the book and have some thoughts. Many thoughts. Meanwhile, I found some cool bookmarks at a night market for everyone, although I’m not sure who still reads hard copies.
Love and light,
G
From: Barb
Date: Tuesday 7:11 a.m.
Enjoy, Gloria. No biggie, but no matter how enlightened you are, two spaces after a period makes us all look old.
Subject: Last Night’s Meeting
From: Laurie
Date: Friday, 8:03 a.m.
Hi everyone,
Thanks to all for coming last night. I’d like to apologize for the heated discussion—and also to my neighbors, who texted to ask if we were “workshopping a play about somatic wailing release therapy.” Next month, I think it’s your turn, Janet. Maybe something with less midlife nudity and more redecorating.
Xo
Laurie
From: Melissa
Date: Friday, 8:19 a.m.
Laurie, thanks again for hosting. The salmon was not overcooked like last time! Sorry if I was one of those who got heated. I just didn’t expect to hear the word “lube” shouted so many times.
From: Laurie
Date: Friday, 10:10 a.m.
Yep, we need something drier.
From: Diane
Date: Friday, 10:12 a.m.
Or if it’s wet, the raciest part should be about tea being poured too briskly. Also Lisa, if you’re making cheesecake, please use fermented cashew. Some of us still have gallbladders.
From: Janet
Date: Friday, 10:49 a.m.
Okay then: Next meeting is at my house and the book is James by Percival Everett. A reimagining of Huckleberry Finn, a classic written before Tampax was invented.
See you all next month!
