<club-desc-paragraph>Joan has spent a lifetime enduring the cruelties of men. But when one of them commits a shocking act of violence in front of her, she flees New York City in search of Alice, the only person alive who can help her make sense of her past. In the sweltering hills above Los Angeles, Joan unravels the horrific event she witnessed as a child—that has haunted her every waking moment—while forging the power to finally strike back. Animal is a depiction of female rage at its rawest, and a visceral exploration of the fallout from a male-dominated society.<club-desc-paragraph>
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<club-landing-h3>The Making of Animal<club-landing-h3>
<club-landing-paragraph>Lisa discusses her intentions when writing Animal and the polarizing nature of her work. She and the hosts examine the nature of trauma, why conversations about female desire scandalize some readers, and how the “universal female experience” is explored through the character of Joan.<club-landing-paragraph>
<club-landing-h3>Big "T" Trauma<club-landing-h3>
<club-landing-paragraph>Emma, Karah, and Lisa talk about how trauma shows up for the other characters in Animal and the human inclination to edit out the “troubling” moments in our lives. They also cover the history of Sandstone, the famous swinger’s club in Topanga Canyon.<club-landing-paragraph>
<club-landing-h3>Crazy, Unlikable, & Cruel<club-landing-h3>
<club-landing-paragraph>The hosts and Lisa explore the concept of “likability” regarding female protagonists and the complicated nature of platonic female relationships. Finally, Lisa discusses Joan’s mother and how she differs from her daughter in psychology and choices.<club-landing-paragraph>
<club-landing-h3>All Joan's Men<club-landing-h3>
<club-landing-paragraph>The hosts and Lisa consider the men in Joan’s life, why Joan keeps certain men around even when she’s not interested in them, and the often transactional nature of sexual relationships between men and women.<club-landing-paragraph>
<club-landing-h3>Epilogue<club-landing-h3>
<club-landing-paragraph>Emma and Karah reflect on their experience discussing Animal with Lisa and what they found most surprising about the conversation.<club-landing-paragraph>
