EPISODE · Feb 1, 2026 · 44 MIN
Paula McLain on "Skylark," Hidden Paris, and the Women History Forgot
from This Must Be the Place · host A PodLocally Production
Author Paula McLain on hidden Paris, two timelines, and a woman’s fight for creative freedom across centuries.Bestselling author Paula McLain discusses her new novel Skylark, a dual-timeline historical novel set in Paris in 1664 and during the Nazi occupation of the 1940s.The conversation begins with a reading from Skylark and unfolds into a deep exploration of resistance, artistic freedom, and the women history tried to silence. McLain shares how Paris’s underground tunnels and the buried River Bièvre inspired the novel, and why parallels between 17th-century sumptuary laws and WWII persecution demanded to be told together.We also revisit McLain’s acclaimed novels The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and Love and Ruin, and her enduring fascination with women who lived close to power but remained in the shadows. From Hadley Richardson to Beryl Markham and Martha Gellhorn, McLain reflects on the many ways women claim agency—by staying, leaving, or risking everything.📚 Perfect for fans of historical fiction, Paris-set novels, women’s stories, and Paula McLain.Featured Guest:Paula McLain – Author of Skylark, The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, Love and RuinUpcoming Event:Paula McLain: Morning in Paris — Skylark Reading & Conversation 📍 Little Saint , Healdsburg, CA🗓️ Saturday, February 7 ⏰ 10:00 AM ☕ Coffee, pastries & Parisian conversation 📖 Featuring Paula McLain with photographer and Francophile Rebecca PlotnickMentioned Books & Topics Mentioned:Skylark The Paris Wife Circling the Sun Love and Ruin Heart the Lover Women in historical fiction Paris underground & the River Bièvre Dual-timeline novels Creative freedom & resistance Writing women history overlookedCrack One Open 🍻February marks the return of “Flagship February,” a time to revisit the core beers that built our favorite breweries. This week’s pick is Stoked! Hazy Pale Ale from HenHouse Brewing Company—an easy-drinking OG that returns to its roots with Citra hops front and center. Pouring a bright straw yellow, Stoked delivers passionfruit and citrus aromatics with a light body and ultra–thirst-quenching finish. Widely available across Sonoma County, it’s a reminder that sometimes the classics really do hit the hardest. A perfect beer to kick off Flagship February—and one of the best times of year to explore local beer.
What this episode covers
Author Paula McLain on hidden Paris, two timelines, and a woman’s fight for creative freedom across centuries.Bestselling author Paula McLain discusses her new novel Skylark, a dual-timeline historical novel set in Paris in 1664 and during the Nazi occupation of the 1940s.The conversation begins with a reading from Skylark and unfolds into a deep exploration of resistance, artistic freedom, and the women history tried to silence. McLain shares how Paris’s underground tunnels and the buried River Bièvre inspired the novel, and why parallels between 17th-century sumptuary laws and WWII persecution demanded to be told together.We also revisit McLain’s acclaimed novels The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and Love and Ruin, and her enduring fascination with women who lived close to power but remained in the shadows. From Hadley Richardson to Beryl Markham and Martha Gellhorn, McLain reflects on the many ways women claim agency—by staying, leaving, or risking everything.📚 Perfect for fans of historical fiction, Paris-set novels, women’s stories, and Paula McLain.Featured Guest:Paula McLain – Author of Skylark, The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, Love and RuinUpcoming Event:Paula McLain: Morning in Paris — Skylark Reading & Conversation 📍 Little Saint , Healdsburg, CA🗓️ Saturday, February 7 ⏰ 10:00 AM ☕ Coffee, pastries & Parisian conversation 📖 Featuring Paula McLain with photographer and Francophile Rebecca PlotnickMentioned Books & Topics Mentioned:Skylark The Paris Wife Circling the Sun Love and Ruin Heart the Lover Women in historical fiction Paris underground & the River Bièvre Dual-timeline novels Creative freedom & resistance Writing women history overlookedCrack One Open 🍻February marks the return of “Flagship February,” a time to revisit the core beers that built our favorite breweries. This week’s pick is Stoked! Hazy Pale Ale from HenHouse Brewing Company—an easy-drinking OG that returns to its roots with Citra hops front and center. Pouring a bright straw yellow, Stoked delivers passionfruit and citrus aromatics with a light body and ultra–thirst-quenching finish. Widely available across Sonoma County, it’s a reminder that sometimes the classics really do hit the hardest. A perfect beer to kick off Flagship February—and one of the best times of year to explore local beer.
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Paula McLain on "Skylark," Hidden Paris, and the Women History Forgot
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