S2E3 | Memory, Rich Memory (with Dylan Thomas, Salman Rushdie, Sharon Olds, Alexandra Kleeman, Devendra Banhart, and Paulé Bártón)
Nov 6, 2019
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Salman Rushdie reads an apologetic letter by Dylan Thomas. Sharon Olds identifies "The Solution" to America's problems. Alexandra Kleeman reads a haunting story. Devendra Banhart reads the little-known legend of "The Woe Shirt" by Paulé Bártón.
Dylan Thomas expresses deep remorse and longing for forgiveness in a letter to his publisher.
Sharon Olds humorously presents a scientific approach to relationships, revealing the complexities of human desires.
Deep dives
Dylan Thomas expresses remorse and seeks forgiveness in a heartfelt letter.
In this podcast episode, a letter written by Dylan Thomas to his publisher, Marguerite Kaitani, is read by Salman Rushdie. The letter, written in 1952, is filled with Thomas's deep remorse for his silence and broken promises. He expresses his shame for not explaining the reasons behind his inability to finish his work and blames his procrastination. Despite feeling unworthy of forgiveness, Thomas admits to his longing for warm words and hopes to regain Kaitani's trust.
Sharon Olds presents a poetic solution to the complexities of relationships.
The podcast features a reading of Sharon Olds' poem 'The Solution.' The poem humorously presents a scientific approach to match individuals based on their specific desires in relationships. Olds describes a system where people can state their preferences, such as wanting to be touched or wanting to touch, and they are paired accordingly. However, as the system becomes more intricate and specific, conflicts and unusual preferences arise, leading to a hilarious and chaotic scenario that highlights the complexities of human desires.
Alexandra Cleeman's story explores a surreal and uncertain family dynamic.
Alexandra Cleeman's story, 'Fairy Tale,' delves into the strange dynamics of a family gathering. The protagonist finds herself surrounded by individuals claiming to be her fiancé or boyfriend, but she struggles to remember who they are. As the story unfolds, the protagonist grapples with conflicting memories and uncertainties, seeking a sense of an authentic connection in an absurd and bewildering situation. The story touches on themes of identity, memory, and relationships, leaving the reader with a sense of ambiguity.
Palé Barton's story delves into the consequences of personal choices.
The podcast episode concludes with Palé Barton's story titled 'The Woe Shirt.' The story follows the protagonist, Balem, as he purchases a shirt filled with memories sewn onto it. The memories evoke both happiness and sadness, and Balem reflects on the choices he has made in life. Through vivid imagery and symbolism, the story explores themes of memory, regret, and the consequences of one's actions, offering a contemplative ending to the episode.