FT News Briefing FT Weekend: Author Elif Batuman. Plus, our obsession with feedback
Aug 6, 2022
Elif Batuman, author of 'The Idiot' and 'Either/Or', shares insights on her new novel, exploring the challenges faced by her alter ego, Selin, as a Harvard student in the 1990s. She delves into the evolution of female representation in literature and the shifting cultural narratives surrounding women's identities. Esther Bintliff discusses the complexities of feedback in the workplace, emphasizing emotional responses and effective methods like 'radical candor'. Together, they highlight the importance of understanding and compassion in personal and professional growth.
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Reader Reactions to "The Idiot"
- Readers were upset that the protagonist in Elif Batuman's first novel, The Idiot, didn't have sex with the man she was expected to.
- This reaction mirrored Batuman's own experience, inspiring her new novel, Either/Or.
Beyond Heterosexual Narratives
- Elif Batuman explores alternative narratives for young women beyond heterosexual encounters.
- She challenges the prevailing notion that a woman's story needs a man or sexual consummation to be meaningful.
Seeking Guidance in a Male-Dominated Canon
- Selin, the protagonist, struggles to find guidance in the male-dominated Western canon.
- She grapples with accepting figures like Picasso despite their problematic treatment of women.
