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Author Philipp Meyer on Channeling History, Philosophy and Failure into Art

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Apr 8, 2023

Guest

Philipp Meyer

Philipp Meyer, an acclaimed American novelist known for 'American Rust' and 'The Son', shares his journey through the literary world. He discusses the moral complexities of American history, cultural heritage, and the struggles of gentrification in Texas. Meyer reflects on his decade of failure before finding success, the balance of ambition with humility, and the nuances of character creation. Additionally, he examines the impact of technology on writing and the importance of original storytelling in an automated world.

01:24:17

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ANECDOTE

Bastrop's History

Philip Meyer chose Bastrop, Texas, as the setting for "The Son" due to its historical accuracy as a frontier town.
Settlers, often poor individuals, moved to these dangerous areas, followed by wealthier classes who later challenged their land ownership through legal means.

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INSIGHT

Settler's Advantages

European settlers possessed superior technology, leading to their victory over Native Americans.
Their brutality wasn't necessarily worse; they benefited from immunity to diseases that had previously decimated their ancestors.

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INSIGHT

Ambition's Double Edge

Individuals like the Colonel in "The Son" embody a timeless ambition, relevant across different eras.
This insatiable drive, while potentially destructive, also fuels innovation and progress.

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Justice, Power, and Cultural Heritage

04:21 • 6min

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Settlement, Morality, and Ambition in Texas History

10:41 • 17min

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Striving for Service and Navigating Success

27:36 • 4min

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Navigating the Writer's Journey

31:40 • 10min

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Navigating Success: The Balance of Agency and Ego

41:34 • 17min

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Exploring Mental Clarity, Survival Stories, and Existentialist Literature

58:33 • 3min

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Navigating Modern Abundance and Anxiety

01:01:31 • 14min

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The Art and Challenge of Character Creation

01:15:22 • 12min

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Navigating the Future of Writing in an Automated World

01:27:21 • 2min

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A Journey Through Texas

Or a Saddle-Trip on the Southwestern Frontier

Frederick Law Olmsted

In 'A Journey Through Texas', Frederick Law Olmsted recounts his travels through Texas in the early 1850s, providing vivid descriptions of the landscape, social life, and political climate of the region. The book is notable for its candid observations on slavery and its impact on Texas society. Olmsted's narrative is both informative and engaging, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of early Texans.

The Tiger's Wife

Téa Obreht

The Tiger's Wife is a novel that explores the complex relationship between a young doctor named Natalia and her recently deceased grandfather, a celebrated doctor. The story weaves together tales of a 'deathless man' and a deaf-mute girl known as the 'Tiger's Wife', set in a fictionalized Balkan country. Through these narratives, Obreht delves into themes of family, war, and the power of storytelling.

The Sun

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Philipp Meyer

Philipp Meyer's "The Sun" is a sprawling multi-generational saga set in Texas, chronicling the rise and fall of a powerful family. The novel explores themes of ambition, legacy, and the complex relationship between humans and the land. It delves into the morally ambiguous history of the American West, examining the displacement of Native American tribes and the consequences of unchecked expansion. The narrative spans centuries, offering a sweeping panorama of Texas history and the enduring impact of individual choices. The book's compelling characters and intricate plot make it a captivating read.

Sapiens

A Brief History of Humankind

Yuval Noah Harari

This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.

American Rust

Philipp Meyer

In 'American Rust,' Philipp Meyer delves into the catastrophic effects of economic devastation on the lives of six characters in Pennsylvania’s Mon Valley. The story centers around Isaac English, a brilliant but socially awkward young man, and Billy Poe, a former high school football star, who embark on a journey to escape their dying town. However, their plans are derailed by an act of unintentional violence that haunts the rest of the narrative. The novel employs multiple narrators to reveal the complexities of the characters and the town, highlighting themes of economic decline, personal struggle, and the human condition. Meyer’s vivid descriptions and use of stream-of-consciousness narration bring the characters and their environment to life, evoking a sense of desperation and hopelessness in a town left behind by industrial decline.

The Moviegoer

Walker Percy

Walker Percy's "The Moviegoer" is a philosophical novel that explores themes of alienation, meaning, and the search for authenticity in modern society. The story follows Binx Bolling, a young stockbroker in New Orleans, as he grapples with existential questions and the search for meaning in his life. Percy's writing is characterized by its wit, intelligence, and insightful exploration of human nature. The novel blends elements of Southern Gothic and existentialism, creating a unique and thought-provoking narrative. It's a story about finding one's place in the world and the challenges of living a meaningful life.

Lancelot

Walker Percy

Lancelot by Walker Percy is a dark and provocative novel that follows the story of Lancelot Andrewes Lamar, a disillusioned lawyer who becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about his wife's infidelity. His quest leads him down a path of moral decay and violence, culminating in a tragic event that lands him in a mental institution. Through Lancelot's narrative, Percy explores themes of existential crisis, moral ambiguity, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.

Ryan speaks with Philipp Meyer about his novels American Rust and The Son, processing the morally questionable history of the American west through literature, how he battled through ten years of failure before his first success, the challenge of balancing ego with ambition, the philosophy that inspires his writing, and more.

Philipp Meyer is an American fiction writer and novelist. American Rust and The Son have received considerable acclaim, including being included in the “Great American Novel” category, as well as being awarded the Los Angeles Times Book Prize (2009) for the former and the Lucien Barrière Prize in France as well as the Prix Littérature-Monde in France for the latter. He has also written five published short stories. Philip graduated from Cornell University with a degree in English and many years later received an MFA from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas. He has worked many jobs throughout his life, including as a first responder, a derivatives trader, a construction worker, an ambulance driver, and nearly as a paramedic, and he has two unpublished novels and hundreds of unpublished short stories under his belt. In 2010, Meyer was named to The New Yorker's "20 under 40", its decennial list of 20 promising writers under the age of 40. American Rust and The Son have both been adapted for television.

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