The Art and Purpose of Epigraphs in Literature

This hour: the art of the epigraph.

We talk with writers about how they pick the quotes that open their books, what epigraphs can do well, how the business of epigraphs works, and what epigraphs mean for readers.

Plus, a look at how some movies use epigraphs.

GUESTS:

• David Edelstein: America’s Greatest Living Film Critic
• Tajja Isen: A contributing writer for The Walrus and the author of Some of My Best Friends
• Courtney Maum: The author of five books including Before and After the Book Deal and the memoir The Year of the Horses; she also writes the Before and After the Book Deal Substack

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Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.

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