New Books in Literary Studies

Desolation Tries to Colonize You: Jeff VanderMeer and Alison Sperling (CH)

Oct 5, 2023

Writer Jeff VanderMeer and scholar Alison Sperling discuss the evolution of weird fiction, nature writing, nonhuman intelligence perception, and Florida zoning issues. They explore the New Weird movement, unconventional storytelling techniques, and the intersection of weird fiction with climate change and environmental justice. Additionally, they touch on government bureaucracy, penguin researchers, and the limits of human understanding in perceiving animal intelligence.

41:28

Episode guests

Alison Sperling

Jeff VanderMeer

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The New Weird genre embraces experimentation and unconventional narratives, distinct from traditional weird fiction.

Weird fiction intertwines ecological themes with fantastical elements, emphasizing non-anthropomorphic perspectives and the strange beauty of nature.

Deep dives

Defining the New Weird

The New Weird is explored in this episode, highlighting its distinction from traditional weird fiction. Jeff Vandermeer discusses the appeal of the weird as a genre that grapples with the unknown and offers stories that are open-ended and non-traditional plot-wise, encouraging experimentation and unconventional narratives.

Introduction

3min

Exploring the Evolution of Weird Fiction

9min

Exploring the Interplay of Personalities, Biases, and Irrationality in Scientific Research and Decision-Making

3min

Crafting Weird Narratives: Techniques and Influences

17min

Exploring Fresh Perspectives on North Florida and 'New Weird'

2min

Exploring the Multifaceted Nature of New Weird Literature and Unique Writing Inspirations

4min

Our season of the weird starts off with a conversation between the writer The New Yorker called “the weird Thoreau”, Jeff VanderMeer, and a scholar of the modernist weird, Alison Sperling (FSU). With ND host Chris Holmes, Jeff and Alison delve into how the ugly politics of Lovecraft’s “old” weird gives rise to the stylistic panoply of the New Weird movement. Jeff discusses the ways in which nature writing's sublime and ecstatic moments are their own category of the weird. The three consider ways to represent unrepresentable species, the limits of human intelligence in perceiving animal intelligence, the nonhuman narrative perspective, and the infinite weirdness of government bureaucracy. Along the way, Alison and Jeff dig into the “Florida man” trope and investigate Jeff’s attempts to outwit Florida zoning to re-wild his backyard with native plants. And if you harbor any suspicions about the temperaments of penguin researchers, you won’t want to miss Jeff’s answer to this season’s signature question.

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