

'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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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.
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.
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.