Overdue Ep 736 - Consider the Consequences!, by Doris Webster and Mary Alden Hopkins
Jan 5, 2026
Explore the fascinating world of 1930's gamebooks, where choices can ruin lives! Delve into the histories of authors Mary Alden Hopkins and Doris Webster, whose work sparked debates on what qualifies as literature. The hosts read thrilling narratives filled with dilemmas faced by three distinct protagonists, each with unique arcs shaped by critical choices. From love triangles to moral integrity, the outcomes hinge on the decisions made. Experience the quirky charm of interactive fiction and its cultural significance!
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Gamebook Origins And Lineage
- Consider the Consequences is an early gamebook that prefigures later Choose Your Own Adventure forms and party-game books.
- Andrew and Craig note its 1930 publication and place in a lineage leading to interactive book trends in the 1960s–80s.
Authors' Party-Book Careers
- Andrew and Craig summarize Webster and Hopkins' bibliography and their party-book niche.
- They recount titles like I've Got Your Number, Marriage Made Easy, and Help Yourself to show the authors' playful social-game output.
Contemporary Critics Mock Branching Fiction
- Contemporary reviews dismissed the book as clever parlor amusement rather than literature.
- Craig and Andrew highlight how critics objected to multiple possible endings as undermining authorial art.
