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.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Inspiration for "No Place to Bury the Dead"

  • Karina Sainz Borgo's novel was inspired by a woman she met on the Venezuela-Colombia border.
  • This woman ran a cemetery on contested land, burying those who couldn't afford proper burials, much like Antigone in Sophocles' tragedy.
INSIGHT

Respect for the Dead

  • Sainz Borgo believes how a society treats its dead reveals much about its values.
  • She connects this to current events like the US-Mexico border and the migrant crisis in Europe.
INSIGHT

Gender Dynamics

  • Sainz Borgo highlights the contrast between genders.
  • Women are often the strongest figures, especially within the home, yet lack the same respect outside.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app