In this engaging discussion, Natasha Joukovsky, a novelist and consultant at Accenture, shares her unique perspective on blending literature with the corporate world. She reminisces about discovering Jane Austen's works at a young age and how they shaped her understanding of social dynamics. Natasha highlights the challenges artists face in navigating commerce and creativity, while also reflecting on the moral complexities found in modern literature. Her insights into Austen's characters reveal the layers of authenticity in their portrayals, connecting past and present societal dynamics.
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insights INSIGHT
Balancing Art and Career
Natasha Joukovsky prioritizes writing and has taken leaves of absence to focus on it.
Financial independence allows her to pursue art without compromising its quality for income.
insights INSIGHT
Bitterness in Publishing
The publishing industry's competitiveness and low pay breed bitterness, hindering artistic quality.
Joukovsky values traditional publishing but maintains financial independence to avoid this.
insights INSIGHT
Girard and Joukovsky
Rene Girard's work provided Joukovsky with a vocabulary to articulate dynamics she already felt in classic literature.
Her understanding of these dynamics comes from authors like Austen, Eliot, and Proust.
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Published in 1943, 'The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand tells the story of Howard Roark, a young and innovative architect who refuses to compromise his artistic vision despite the opposition from society. The novel explores themes of individualism, egoism, and the conflict between those who think for themselves (the 'first-handers') and those who follow the opinions of others (the 'second-handers'). It also delves into the lives of other characters such as Dominique Francon, Peter Keating, Ellsworth Toohey, and Gail Wynand, each representing different aspects of Rand's philosophical ideas. The book is a defense of egoism and individualism, presenting a radical rethinking of basic moral concepts and challenging conventional notions of selfishness and altruism[2][3][5].
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth. The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth. The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect. Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption. The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period[3][4][5].
I was gripped by a. natasha joukovsky’snovelThe Portrait of a Mirror, which I went through in almost one sitting (life gets in the way, alas). And I am enjoying her series of analyses of Austen’s men. Natasha works at Accenture, so we talked about what is it like to be a novelist working in consulting, as well as discussing her love of Austen, which began when she was ten-years-old and her father read the novels aloud to her (at her insistence). Few novelists writing today have very much corporate experience and I was pleased to discuss these topics with Natasha. She has also come to Girardian conclusions prior to reading Girard. I am anticipating her next novel, which is about probability, very much. Here is her website. And her Substack, quite useless.
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