A.M. Homes: “The Unfolding” of American Democracy

(Full Episode Notes are at Patreon.com/theLFShow)  Salman Rushdie praised A.M. Homes’ latest novel, The Unfolding as, “A terrific black comedy, written almost entirely in pitch-perfect dialogue, that feels terrifyingly close to the unfunny truth.” In this episode, A.M. and Laura discuss political fiction, women writers and the unraveling of American democracy. Homes is an American writer best known for her novel The End of Alice, about a convicted child molester and murderer and Music for Torching, about the run-up to a school shooting. The Unfolding, written in the decade before the January 6th Insurrection, is similarly anticipatory. It follows a Republican donor plotting a mob assault on Washington. It was published this September 6th. Also included, a clip of a solidarity reading at the New York Public Library in support of Rushdie. And a commentary from Laura on the reality journalism of the late Barbara Ehrenreich.  Music featured in the middle of the podcast:  “Miracle” by Ultra Naté from her new album “Ultra” courtesy of Peace Biscuit.

Guest, A.M. Homes: Author of over 30 books including The Unfolding; recipient of the 2013 Women’s Prize for Fiction; contributing editor to Vanity Fair and BOMB Magazine, and appears regularly in several publications including, The New York Times, Harpers, Art Forum and The New Yorker.  She also writes for film and television including writing the adaptation for Showtime of her first novel JACK.  She teaches in the Creative Writing Program at Princeton University.

*Books by A.M. Homes:

“The Unfolding” , Find More About the Book Here

“This Book Will Save Your Life”, Find More About the Book Here

(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)

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