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.
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Propaganda and Disillusionment
As a teenager, Yiyun Li excelled at writing propaganda in communist China, moving audiences to tears with speeches she didn't believe.
This experience disillusioned her with the Chinese language, despite its beauty, and fueled her aversion to dogma.
insights INSIGHT
Embracing Uncertainty
Now repulsed by dogma, Yiyun Li embraces uncertainty in her writing.
She values questioning and exploration over definitive answers.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Book of Goose Origins
Yiyun Li's novel, "The Book of Goose," originated from an imagined conversation between two girls about growing happiness.
This simple question evolves into a complex exploration of friendship and manipulation.
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Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements[3][4][5].
Where Reasons End
Yiyun Li
Where Reasons End is a poignant novel that delves into the complex relationship between a mother and her deceased son through an imagined conversation. Written in the aftermath of the author's own loss, the book explores themes of grief, love, and the limitations of language. It is a deeply moving portrayal of a mother's attempt to connect with her child beyond death.
The Book of Goose
Yiyun Li
The Book of Goose explores the intense and complex friendship between Agnès and Fabienne, two peasant girls in rural France. Their bond leads them to create a private world and eventually a literary hoax that changes their lives forever. The novel delves into themes of exploitation, intimacy, and the power of storytelling.
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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