The New Yorker: Fiction David Wright Faladé Reads Madeleine Thien
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Apr 1, 2025 David Wright Faladé, author of "Black Cloud Rising," discusses Madeleine Thien's poignant story "Lu, Reshaping." They explore themes of transformation and identity, emphasizing the emotional depth of short fiction compared to novels. Faladé reveals the intricacies of Lou's mother-daughter relationship, highlighting language barriers and personal insecurities. The conversation navigates Lou's struggles with cultural expectations and her quest for self-awareness, capturing the complexities of her identity and resilience in a chaotic world.
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Faladé's Encounter with Thien's Work
- David Wright Faladé, initially intimidated by Madeleine Thien's story, found it subtly powerful.
- He admired its quiet depth and felt it was difficult to teach, yet ultimately tried with graduate students.
Thien's Subtlety
- Thien's writing is characterized by subtlety and dramatization.
- Unspoken elements resonate deeply, creating a quiet intensity.
Lou's Interiority
- "Lu, Reshaping" stands out due to the reader's intimate access to Lou's internal experiences.
- This contrasts with external perceptions of her, heightened by the story's concise form.
