I'm Gilbert Cruz editor of the New York Times Book Review and this is the Book Review

Podcast.

This week we have dueling Alexandras on the show.

First, our reporter, Alexandra Alter,

will join to talk about two wonderful pieces

from recent weeks, both having to do with romance fiction.

The first is about Georgette Har, the Queen of Regency Romance, and the debates

that are occurring around her work a half century after her death.

The second is about Rebecca Yaroz, author of one of this year's most surprising bestsellers The Then Alexandra Jacobs, one of our staff critics, joins me to talk about her review of

My Name is Barbara, the long-awaited memoir by Barbara Striseand.

Let's turn now to the first of our Alexandra conversations.

I'm here with our reporter,

Alexandra Alta, Alexandra, thank you for being here.

Thanks so much for having me.

So Alexandra you recently reported out two great stories and it just so happens that they both

center on the romance genre, the ones who get past that they're quite divergence

I was wondering if we could talk about the first one it's it's about georgette Hayer

who as you put it was quote one of the most popular and influential romance authors of all time.

Your story focuses on the debate over whether or not stereotypes and her work should be revised

in new editions. But I'd love if you could first tell us about

hire herself. She is a fascinating figure and I didn't know much about her when I

started on the story though she has a very devoted fan base even today. She died in the 1970s, but her books are still

...