In our morning reading: an interview with Jami Attenberg, a new literary podcast, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Kathleen Hanna Interviewed, Scholastique Mukasonga’s Books, CJ Leede’s Latest, and More
In our afternoon reading: an interview with Kathleen Hanna, Robert Caro devotees, and more.
VCO: Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Frankenstein, we call them Frankie, puts on their little boots and their little jacket. We go outside and the trees are too green for October. A gust up high makes the top of the trees dance hypnotically.
Joselyn is still here but she is different now. She looks off in the distance and stares more often than she did before Frankie was born.
Morning Bites: The Necks Interviewed, Han Kang’s Nobel, Ledia Xhoga on Suspense, and More
In our morning reading: an interview with The Necks, a cover from Shayne Terry, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Adapting M.R. James, Jared Pechaček’s Fiction, Jamie Quatro on Writing, and More
In our afternoon reading: how best to adapt M.R. James, an interview with Jamie Quatro, and more.
Getting Audacious With Ryan Chapman
Reading Ryan Chapman’s fiction involves immersion in very specific milieus — including, for his most recent novel The Audacity, an exclusive gathering of the world’s wealthiest people, a kind of 1% of the 1%. Just before he jets off to one such gathering, protagonist Guy Sarvananthan learns that his wife’s highly-touted startup was not exactly honest with investors about the viability of its business, and that she’s now missing and presumed deceased. What emerges is a heady book of big ideas laced with a comedy of manners that moves with an enticing momentum. I spoke with Chapman about writing The Audacity and the challenges it posed.
Morning Bites: Nathan Ballingrud’s Latest, Memorials’ Album, Charles Bock’s Playlist, and More
In our morning reading: thoughts on books by Nathan Ballingrud and GauZ’, a playlist from Charles Bock, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Neneh Cherry’s Memoir, Remembering Robert Coover and Lore Segal, Nobel Odds, and More
In our afternoon reading: an excerpt from Neneh Cherry’s memoir, remembrances of influential writers, and more.