128 The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang— History vs. Fantasy

Jun 18, 2025
1h 11m

Episode Description

Julia and Victoria try to find the line between history and fantasy in The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang. They use their incredible communication skills to meet in the middle of their opposing opinions.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

Circe by Madeline Miller

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

“The Fires of Pompeii” - Doctor Who, Season 4, Episode 2
In The Poppy War Series, R.F. Kuang Asks: 'What If Mao Was A Teenage Girl?'” by Alan Yu (NPR)

Victoria’s favorite reddit review of Poppy War

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Recommendations:

The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang

Shanghai 1937 by Peter Harmson

Comfort Women by Yoshimi Yoshiaki

The Jakarta Method by Vincent Bevins

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

The Dragon Republic by R. F. Kuang

The Burning God by R. F. Kuang

Babel by R. F. Kuang

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Currently Obsessed:

SABLE, fABLE by Bon Iver (album)

Hacks, Season 4 (TV show) 

Deli Boys (TV show)

The Pitt (TV show)

True to You: A Therapist’s Guide to Stop Pleasing Others and Start Being Yourself by Dr. Kathleen Smith

Cat and Bird by Kyoko Mori

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