Author Yiyun Li reads her story 'Hello, Goodbye' exploring intertwined lives and relationship dynamics. The narrative delves into friendship, decisions, plant obsession, and lost nights. It also touches on parental concerns, challenges of motherhood, reflections on past choices, and the unknown future.
Reflecting on the consequences of choices and the role of luck in life's outcomes.
Struggling with the limitations of shaping children's experiences and the challenges of parenting in uncertain times.
Deep dives
Marriage, Choices, and Regrets
Nina and Katie reflect on their marriages and the choices they made. They discuss the difficulties and unhappiness that can persist beneath the surface, even when dramas make for entertaining stories. They ponder the regrets of sharing painful truths with loved ones and consider the role of luck in life's outcomes.
Outcomes and Consequences
Nina and Katie reflect on the consequences of their choices and the impact they have on their lives. They explore the idea that things can go well or go wrong due to luck, and that parents can only do so much to shape their children's futures. They consider the limited power individuals have in solving problems and the pain that can come from sounding the alarm without the ability to effect meaningful change.
Childhood Memories and Parenting
Nina and Katie recall childhood memories and reflect on their own parenting approaches. They grapple with their children's perceptions of them as parents and the limitations they face in shaping their children's experiences and the choices they make. They wrestle with the challenges of raising children in uncertain times and the burden of responsibility that comes with being a parent.
Acceptance and Moving Forward
Nina and Katie contemplate acceptance and moving forward in their lives. They acknowledge the mistakes they've made and the pain they've experienced. They find solace in the idea of embracing the present moment and finding hope in the unknown future. They explore the complexity of relationships, the understanding that comes with time, and the importance of finding strength and resilience in the face of challenges.
Yiyun Li reads her story “Hello, Goodbye,” from the November 15, 2021, issue of the magazine. Li is the author of two story collections and four novels, including “Where Reasons End” and “Must I Go,” which was published last year. She won the Windham-Campbell Literature Prize in 2020.