About this episode

Caro Claire Burke discusses her debut novel about a tradwife influencer facing the realities of pioneer life and her political evolution.

The author Caro Claire Burke discusses her debut novel, Yesteryear, about a tradwife influencer suddenly transported back to 1855 and faced with the harsh realities of actual pioneer life. The book is a No. 1 New York Times best seller, and its film rights have already been sold and Anne Hathaway is attached to star. Seen one way, the tradwife is just a social-media trend, sometimes soothing to watch, sometimes infuriating. But the fantasy that fuels the phenomenon—that women should be subservient to their husbands, staying at home and tending the hearth—reflects views in the real world, where actual policies get made. Burke talks about her novel and her own political evolution. - - - Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at ⁠TheAtlantic.com/Listener⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Guest: Caro Claire Burke

Topics covered

• tradwife
• influencer culture
• pioneer life
• women's roles
• political evolution

Keywords

• tradwife
• influencer
• Yesteryear
• pioneer life
• politics
• Anne Hathaway

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Atlantic, New York Times

Books & works: Yesteryear

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