Miles of Books: Two Water-Centric Novels + the Latest from Andrew Sean Greer
A young man arrives in Italy with no clear purpose, only a telegram and a suitcase full of doubts—yet he’s immediately swept into the whimsical, eccentric world of a 92-year-old baroness named Coco, whose mansion is filled with magical artifacts, pugs, and a cast of characters that feel like they were pulled from a dream. This is the opening of Andrew Sean Greer’s latest novel, *Mila Coco*, a book that divides readers: one host is enchanted by its lyrical prose and beguiling charm, while the other finds it overly reliant on familiar tropes and self-conscious whimsy. The episode also dives into two water-themed novels—Terra Mellon’s *Underwater*, a haunting tale of friendship and loss after the 2004 tsunami, and Erin L. McCoy’s *Under Lake*, a murky, ambitious dystopian story about a submerged town with religious cult overtones. While both explore trauma and memory through aquatic metaphors, only *Underwater* achieves emotional clarity. The hosts debate literary comparisons, gendered expectations in publishing, and the power of language—especially when it comes to describing the intangible. As always, the conversation is layered with wit, vulnerability, and a deep love for books that linger long after the last page. The episode is framed by a vibrant pitch for Feisty Fest, a women-centered event in Pennsylvania that blends movement, learning, and community. From gravel biking to pickleball on a velodrome court, the festival promises transformation through shared experience.
Greer’s *Mila Coco* uses exquisite language and whimsy to create an escapist, dreamlike experience—perfect for readers seeking lyrical prose over plot.
Terra Mellon’s *Underwater* is a slim, emotionally rich novel that explores grief, memory, and friendship through the lens of the 2004 tsunami and Hurricane Sandy.
Erin L. McCoy’s *Under Lake* struggles with clarity despite its ambitious premise of a submerged town, making it hard to visualize and emotionally resonate.
The comparison of female writers to Margaret Atwood or Emily St. John Mandel risks setting unrealistic standards and undermining new voices.
Feisty Fest (Sept 18–20, Lehigh Valley, PA) is designed for women by women—featuring gravel biking, pickleball, expert panels, and community connection.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Feisty Fest: A Women-First Weekend of Movement and Community
“This is the room you've been looking for. And trust me, you will leave a different person.”
Introducing *Underwater* by Terra Mellon: A Tale of Loss and Longing
“It's a very slim book. I mean, it is. It is. Yeah. And I wouldn't say that it goes by quickly because again... Whenever there's rich, rich writing, I at least find myself sort of slowing down.”
Unraveling *Under Lake* by Erin L. McCoy: A Dystopian Undercurrent
The hosts discuss McCoy’s novel about a town submerged by a dam, where a young woman returns to investigate a mysterious escapee from the underwater community. The setting is rich in religious symbolism but visually confusing, leading to mixed reactions.
Exploring *Children of the Wild* by Kevin Powers: War, Love, and Identity
Powers’ historical novel follows a young man in 1917 Virginia whose life shifts when a mysterious stranger arrives. The story evolves into a war narrative with emotional depth, though some feel it loses narrative control in its final act.
The Enchantment and Critique of *Mila Coco* by Andrew Sean Greer
“His grasp of language is just so exquisite to me. And one of the words I had to look up, it was cartaceous. And it's an adjective that means resembling paper or having a papery texture.”
“His grasp of language is just so exquisite to me. And one of the words I had to look up, it was cartaceous. And it's an adjective that means resembling paper or having a papery texture.”
“This is the room you've been looking for. And trust me, you will leave a different person.”
“You know, here it is this female writer. She's compared to these other female writers because they're in the dystopian genre. You know, would a male writer, you know, a newer male writer. get compared”
Host
Guest
Sarah Bowenshin
person
Feisty Fest
other
Ellison Wiest
person
Andrew Sean Greer
person
Terra Mellon
person
Another Mother Runner
organization
Erin L. McCoy
person
Kevin Powers
person
Tifosi Optics
brand
Margaret Atwood
person
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