The Daily

The Sunday Read: ‘How Yiyun Li Became a Beacon for Readers in Mourning’

Oct 23, 2022

Yiyun Li, a celebrated novelist known for her raw exploration of depression, shares her journey from a challenging childhood in Beijing to becoming a literary beacon for those grappling with grief. In conversation with fellow writer Alexandra Kleeman, she discusses her struggles with language and her transformative shift from science to storytelling. They dive into her poignant works, including 'The Book of Goose' and 'Where Reason Ends,' highlighting how fiction can offer comfort and connection during difficult times.

32:57

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Episode guests

Yiyun Li

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Episode notes

Intro

3min

Yiyun Li: A Journey from Propaganda to Introspection

4min

Exploring Friendship and Identity Through Fiction

6min

A Beacon of Comfort in Literature

2min

From Science to Storytelling

8min

Reading Through Grief: A Pandemic Project

8min

The Veil of Privacy

5min

Yiyun Li has garnered legions of fans with her unsparing prose, writing extensively about her own struggles with depression and suicidality.

Her latest novel, “The Book of Goose,” is no different, sharing the same quality that has made Ms. Li something of a beacon to those suffering beneath unbearable emotional weight.

Alexandra Kleeman, also a novelist, meets Ms. Li to discover the secrets of her charm, her experience of growing up in China and her writing process.

This story was written by Alexandra Kleeman and recorded by Audm. To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.

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