Lauren Groff Reads Elizabeth Hardwick

Fates and Furies is a deeply satisfying novel about love, art, creativity, and power. It tells the story of a marriage over twenty-four years, revealing the intricate dynamics between Lotto, a failed actor turned playwright, and Mathilde, his wife. The novel is divided into two parts: 'Fates' explores the marriage from Lotto's perspective, while 'Furies' delves into Mathilde's, exposing the secrets and complexities that underlie their relationship.

Lauren Groff's novel 'Matrix' is a fictionalized biography of Marie de France, a 12th-century poet and mystic. The story follows Marie as she is sent to England to lead an impoverished abbey, where she uses her visions and determination to create a powerful and self-sufficient community of women. The novel delves into themes of female ambition, power, and creativity in a medieval world.

The Go-Go Years is a harrowing and humorous account of the growth stocks of the 1960s and their meteoric rise, followed by the devastating market crashes of the 1970s. The book includes stories of high-profile personalities such as H. Ross Perot, who lost $450 million in one day, Saul Steinberg's attempt to take over Chemical Bank, and the fall of America's 'Last Gatsby,' Eddie Gilbert. Brooks blends humor and astute analysis to provide a vivid description of the financial landscape of the time, making it a classic of business history.

The Vaster Wilds is a historical novel that follows the story of a young servant girl who flees a colonial settlement in the wilderness. With only her wits and a few possessions, she must survive the unforgiving environment, encountering various challenges such as hunger, disease, and interactions with Native people. The novel is both a thrilling adventure and a penetrating fable that reflects on colonialism, the place of women in society, and the resilience needed to survive in a hostile world. Through vivid imagery and a compelling narrative, Groff tells the story of America in miniature, highlighting the girl's journey as a symbol of adaptation and survival in the face of overwhelming odds.