The New Yorker: Fiction Rachel Cusk Reads Marguerite Duras
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May 1, 2024 Rachel Cusk, award-winning author, reads and discusses Marguerite Duras' unique short stories. They explore Duras' writing style evolution, themes of loss, injustice, and power dynamics in her works. The conversation delves into religion, dreams, and the emotional depth of Duras' characters, showcasing the complexity and artistry of both authors.
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Rachel's Language Journey
- Rachel Cusk moved from England to France and improved her French by reading Marguerite Duras.
- She found Duras's French admirably clear and easier to understand than many other French writers' work.
Duras's Unique Narrative Time
- Duras's narrative style involves expanding a single moment in time rather than telling a traditional story.
- This approach influenced Rachel Cusk's own writing and creative process deeply.
Early Duras Stories' Tone
- The stories “The Bible” and “The Stolen Pigeons” are more playful and less violent than much of Duras's later work.
- Despite their lighter tone, they reflect her commitment to writing about reality and truthfully linking her experience to the writing.