麻豆社

Dorothy Parker, Mary McCarthy, Susan Sontag, Pauline Kael and Nora Ephron.

These brilliant women are the central figures of Michelle Dean's book, which builds a picture of the social and political progress of women through the 20th century.

They are united by their 'sharpness', the ability to cut to the quick with precision of thought and wit.

The world would not have been the same without Dorothy Parker鈥檚 acid reflections on the absurdities of her life. Or Mary McCarthy鈥檚 fiction which is noted for its acerbity in analysing the finer nuances of intellectual dilemmas. Or Susan Sontag鈥檚 ideas about interpretation, or Pauline Kael鈥檚 energetic swipes at filmmakers. Or Nora Ephron鈥檚 biting wit and strong female characters.

Together they define the cultural and intellectual history of 20th century America.

Michelle Dean is a journalist, critic, and the recipient of the National Book Critics Circle's 2016 Citation for Excellence in Reviewing. A contributing editor at the New Republic, she has written for the New Yorker, Nation, New York Times Magazine, Slate, New York Magazine, and Elle.

Omnibus of five parts abridged by Sara Davies.

Read by Alexandra Mathie

Producer: Gaynor Macfarlane

First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in April 2018.

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