NPR's Book of the Day
'No Place to Bury the Dead', 'The Hunter' ask what lengths you'll go for others
Jan 10, 2025
Karina Sainz Borgo, a Venezuelan journalist and author, delves into her novel, "No Place to Bury the Dead," which depicts a mother navigating a plague of amnesia and the complex realities of borders and death rituals. The conversation also touches on the compelling myth of Antigone and a real-life cemetery on the Venezuela-Colombia border. Tana French discusses her novel, "The Hunter," revealing the tension between chosen and blood families in a small Irish town, and the unique challenges faced when one is an outsider. Expect profound reflections on sacrifice and community.
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Quick takeaways
- Karina Sainz Borgo's novel highlights the significance of death rituals and how societal upheaval complicates mourning and memory.
- Tana French's The Hunter delves into the complexities of small-town relationships, exploring the tension between belonging and outsider perspectives.
Deep dives
Exploring Borders and Mortality
The novel No Place to Bury the Dead revolves around themes of borders and contested land within an unnamed Latin American country, exacerbated by a plague that causes amnesia. The protagonist, Angustias, seeks refuge for her family after the death of her twins, illustrating the struggle to maintain rituals of death amidst societal upheaval. The narrative emphasizes that the way a society handles its dead reflects its values, highlighting the ongoing relevance of these issues in contemporary contexts, such as migrations across borders. This connection draws parallels to historical tragedies while underscoring the human experience of dealing with loss and memory.
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