Taffy Brodesser-Akner, acclaimed author and writer for the New York Times, dives into her new novel, Long Island Compromise, which tackles the long-lasting effects of a kidnapping on a wealthy family's children. She candidly discusses the intricate ties between wealth and identity, particularly in Jewish American culture. Taffy shares her unique approach to writing, from celebrity interviews to exploring emotional vulnerabilities. Her insights highlight the complexities of humanizing often-unlikable characters in literature.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Kidnapping Inspiration
Taffy Brodesser-Akner grew up knowing a man who was kidnapped.
This inspired her novel, exploring the complexities of wealth and trauma.
insights INSIGHT
Shifting Perspectives on Wealth
As a child, Brodesser-Akner viewed kidnapping through the lens of wealth, not tragedy.
This perspective shifted as she matured, developing greater empathy.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Writing in Russia
Brodesser-Akner began writing "Long Island Compromise" during a 12-day work trip to Russia.
She needed money and the trip provided ample downtime for writing.
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The novel follows Toby Fleishman, a 41-year-old hepatologist, and his wife Rachel, a successful talent agent, as they navigate their divorce. The story is narrated by Toby's college friend Libby, who serves as a stand-in for the author. The book examines the reversal of traditional gender roles, with Rachel as the primary breadwinner and Toby as the secondary earner. It also critiques the affluent Manhattan professional class and explores the challenges of modern marriage, parenting, and the impact of dating apps on relationships. The narrative delves into the complexities of their 14-year marriage and the events that led to its breakdown, while also reflecting on Libby's own life and experiences.
A Consent
Wendell Berry
Herzog
Saul Bellow
Published in 1964, 'Herzog' by Saul Bellow follows the life of Moses E. Herzog, a 47-year-old cultural history professor, over the course of five days. Herzog is in the midst of a midlife crisis and marital turmoil, having recently divorced his second wife, Madeleine, who has taken up with his close friend, Valentine Gersbach. The novel explores Herzog's intellectual and emotional reflections as he writes letters to friends, family, and historical figures, though he never sends them. These letters serve as a vehicle for Herzog's introspection on his life, relationships, and philosophical musings. The book delves into themes of identity, alienation, and the complexities of human relationships, characteristic of Bellow's rich and witty writing style[2][3][4].
Brodesser-Akner's new novel, Long Island Compromise, centers on the kidnapping of a rich businessman, and the impact, decades later, on his grown children. She channeled what she learned as a journalist writing celebrity profiles for the book:"I think that the goal of all writing is to humanize those that we can only see from far away." Her previous book, Fleishman Is in Trouble, was adapted into an acclaimed FX/Hulu series.
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