NPR's Book of the Day
Novels by Sigrid Nunez and Michael Cunningham tackle the pandemic
Dec 8, 2023
Renowned authors Sigrid Nunez and Michael Cunningham discuss their novels tackling the pandemic. Nunez's novel follows a woman, a parrot, and a Gen Z college student in lockdown. Cunningham's novel chronicles three days over three years in a Brooklyn family's life. They explore themes of loneliness, companionship, and the challenges of being an artist during the pandemic.
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Quick takeaways
- Sigrid Nunez's novel, The Vulnerables, explores the theme of loneliness and the need for connection during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of caring for beings other than oneself.
- Michael Cunningham's novel, Day, portrays the lives of a Brooklyn family over three days during the pandemic, addressing personal struggles, complicated relationships, and the role of artists in pursuing passions despite the odds.
Deep dives
The Vulnerables: Using Animals to Address Loneliness and Connect in a Pandemic
Sigurd Nunez's novel, The Vulnerables, explores the theme of loneliness and the need to connect in a pandemic. Set in New York during the COVID lockdown in 2020, the unnamed writer cares for a macaw parrot while the owner is stuck in California. Nunez drew inspiration from her own meditations on the pandemic, writing about the 'uncertain spring.' The novel delves into the narrator's regrets about not having more animals in her life and the importance of caring for beings other than oneself.
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