799.5 Laurie Frankel's Enormous Wings (Revisited) | My Last Book with Julie Gilbert

In this rerun of a previously aired episode, Jack Wilson of The History of Literature welcomes author Laurie Frankel to discuss her novel *Enormous Wings*, a poignant and imaginative exploration of motherhood, aging, and bodily autonomy. The story centers on Pepper Mills, a 77-year-old woman who moves into a retirement community against her will, only to discover she is unexpectedly pregnant—a revelation that upends her life and forces her to confront the physical, emotional, and societal challenges of aging while carrying a child. Frankel uses the fantastical premise not as a gimmick, but as a lens to examine real-world issues: the erasure of older women’s sexuality, the politics of reproductive rights, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through Pepper’s journey, the novel interrogates what it means to be seen, heard, and valued in later life, especially when one’s body defies expectation. The conversation also delves into Frankel’s creative process, her inspiration from authors like Hilary Mantel and Dickens, and her deliberate choice to write with confidence and without apology, mirroring the tone of *A Christmas Carol* in its unflinching narrative authority. The episode closes with Julie Gilbert reflecting on her own literary legacy and her ideal 'last book'—a return to childhood wonder through the works of Edna Ferber and Beatrix Potter.