Book Club Meets: “Women are survivors and scapegoats!” Rage and revenge, with Elizabeth Day

Book Club Meets: “Women are survivors and scapegoats!” Rage and revenge, with Elizabeth Day

Author: Fearne Cotton December 5, 2025 Duration: 1:12:11

Elizabeth Day had an urgent need to say something about the way we’re living – about the power, politics, class, sexism, and discrimination that plague the world around us.

She explores all of that, plus perimenopause and female rage, through the entertaining lens of her latest novel One Of Us.


In this live Book Club chat with Fearne, Elizabeth talks about how she realised that – and wanted to write about – women so often being the victims, survivors, and scapegoats of male power and privilege. They also explore whether getting revenge is ever really as sweet as you hope it’ll be...


Elizabeth is famously obsessed with reality TV, so how did The Real Housewives franchise inspire parts of One Of Us, and what does she make of politicians rehabilitating their careers on reality TV and gossip podcasts? Plus, how writing about motherhood in this book allowed Elizabeth to process her own feelings about not having children.


If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:

 

Book Club Meets: Elizabeth Gilbert

 

Book Club Meets: Aisha Muharrar

 

Book Club Meets: Emily Henry


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In a world that often feels loud and demanding, Happy Place offers a different kind of conversation. Here, Fearne Cotton sits down with a wide range of fascinating people-from artists and athletes to experts and everyday heroes-to explore the nuanced realities of human experience. These discussions gently peel back the layers on topics like mental resilience, physical well-being, cultural shifts, and the complexities of our relationships, moving far beyond simple soundbites. The core of this podcast lies in its authentic curiosity about how individuals navigate life's inevitable highs and lows. Rather than prescribing a single path to joy, each episode uncovers personal definitions of contentment and peace, often found in unexpected moments or hard-won perspectives. Listening feels like being part of a thoughtful, intimate dialogue where vulnerability is welcomed and stories are shared without pretense. Whether the conversation touches on overcoming loss, finding creative inspiration, or building a healthier society, Fearne guides it with empathy and a genuine desire to understand. This collection of interviews provides a quiet space for reflection, reminding us that happiness is not a constant state but a deeply personal and evolving journey. Tune in for a sincere exploration of what it means to live fully across all facets of life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happy Place
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