The Guardian UK Culture Podcast
James Salter reads Break it Down by Lydia Davis
May 23, 2013
James Salter, veteran American novelist and short story writer, reads a story by Lydia Davis. Topics include intense and passionate love, celebrating the work of Lydia Davis, analyzing engaging narrative choices, and the allure of short stories.
28:31
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Quick takeaways
- The short story 'Break It Down' by Lydia Davis explores the intertwining emotions and financial aspect of a love affair, calculating the cost per hour of their encounters.
- Short stories provide a different writing experience compared to novels, allowing for a sense of completion and shaping the writer's mindset and approach to crafting the narrative.
Deep dives
Intense Love and It's Aftermath
The podcast episode explores a short story by Lydia Davis titled 'Break It Down.' The story follows a man's reflections on his intense love affair, highlighting the intertwined emotions and experiences involved in their relationship. It delves into the financial aspect of their love affair, calculating the cost per hour of their encounters. The story also explores the pain and longing that accompanies the end of the affair, with the narrator reflecting on the lingering memories and unanswered questions that haunt him.
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