The World in Time / Lapham’s Quarterly

Episode 3: Francine Prose

Jun 20, 2025
In this captivating discussion, Francine Prose, author of 22 novels including *1974: A Personal History*, dives into her nostalgic memories of Nixon-era San Francisco. She reflects on vibrant communal living and the pre-tech spirit of the city, contrasting it with the current landscape. Prose shares her idealistic youth, from protesting the Vietnam War to her husband’s audacious climb of the Pentagon. She also explores the eerie parallels between her experiences and themes in Hitchcock's *Vertigo*, weaving a narrative rich in cultural and personal transformation.
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ANECDOTE

Francine's San Francisco Arrival

  • Francine Prose fell in love with San Francisco's vibrant, diverse culture after moving from Cambridge.
  • She felt a sense of belonging among the city's unconventional and charming inhabitants before the tech boom.
INSIGHT

Student Movements' Political Impact

  • The student movement played a significant role in drawing attention to and contributing to the end of the Vietnam War.
  • Current political attacks on universities aim to suppress anti-authoritarian student movements that challenge power.
ANECDOTE

Tony Russo's Complex Legacy

  • Prose knew Tony Russo was radical and unstable but was drawn to his charm and ideals.
  • Russo's marginalized legacy contrasts with Ellsberg's more polished public image representing the Pentagon Papers.
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