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Rachel Kushner on CREATION LAKE
Sep 7, 2024
Rachel Kushner, a talented novelist known for her spy novels steeped in philosophical themes, joins cohost Jenna Seery. They dive into Kushner's latest work, 'Creation Lake', discussing the intricate journey of its strong female lead, Sadie. The conversation touches on the complexities of narrative reliability, the emotional depth literature offers readers, and the influence of iconic authors on her writing style. Kushner also draws parallels between her characters and other strong females in literature, enriching the dialogue with humor and intrigue.
47:22
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Quick takeaways
- Rachel Kushner's 'Creation Lake' masterfully intertwines humor with the noir genre, exploring complex themes of identity and moral ambiguity through its unreliable narrator.
- The novel provocatively reflects on authority and activism, questioning societal norms through the protagonist's dual existence and interactions with young idealists.
Deep dives
Exploration of Undercover Life
The novel centers on an American woman in her early 30s who formerly worked as an undercover agent for federal authorities. After her abrupt exit from this world, she reinvents her life by employing her skills in a darker environment, surveilling and manipulating activists at the behest of powerful clients. The protagonist, adopting the alias Sadie Smith, navigates her dual existence as she undertakes her new role while grappling with her own moral dilemmas. The tension escalates as she surveils a group of idealistic young people seeking to escape urban life for a rural commune in France.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode