Art historian Katy Hessel and author Amy Blakemore discuss insightful book recommendations, exploring topics such as chess symbolism and unity in 'Chess' by Stefan Zweig, the poetic narrative style of 'Maud Martha' by Gwendolyn Brooks, and the dark compassion in 'The Pier Falls' by Mark Hatton. The discussion also touches on storytelling techniques and the impact of novel length on modern readers.
Stefan Zweig's 'Chess' explores class isolation and universal connections through a shipboard chess game.
Gwendolyn Brooks' 'Maud Martha' reflects on race, class, and everyday beauty in a segregated Chicago setting.
Deep dives
Exploring the Significance of "Chess" by Stefan Zweig
Stefan Zweig's "Chess" delves into a shipboard journey from New York to Buenos Aires, where a chess game unfolds involving the world champion Czentovic. The book intricately explores class isolation, written by a Jewish author exiled to Brazil, Stefan Zweig. Through the game of chess, the novel symbolizes universal language and connections among diverse individuals.
Unpacking the Depth of "Maud Martha" by Gwendolyn Brooks
Gwendolyn Brooks' "Maud Martha" portrays the life of a black working-class woman in segregated Chicago through a series of vignettes. The novel quietly emphasizes goodness and navigating life's challenges without preaching. It offers a profound reflection on race, class, and the beauty found in everyday moments, highlighting the intimate struggles faced by the protagonist within societal and personal contexts.
Diving into the Varied Stories of Mark Haddon's "The Pier Falls"
Mark Haddon's collection "The Pier Falls" showcases a range of stories, from science fiction to reimagined Greek myths, illustrating detached compassion towards human follies. The title story, a realistic account of a pier collapse, exemplifies journalistic storytelling. Each narrative surprises the reader with unexpected twists, evoking deep empathy for characters grappling with ordinary lives amid extraordinary circumstances.
CHESS by Stefan Zweig (Faber), chosen by Katy Hessel
MAUD MARTHA by Gwendolyn Brooks (Penguin), chosen by Amy Blakemore
THE PIER FALLS by Mark Haddon (Vintage), chosen by Harriett Gilbert
Art historian Katy Hessel chooses a book that she read in one sitting because she couldn't put it down: Chess by Stefan Zweig. A novella about the limitless possibilities of the game, and of the human mind.
Author Amy Blakemore chooses Maud Martha by the American poet Gwendolyn Brookes, a story of a life told with such a brevity and beauty of prose that it is almost poetry.
Harriett's choice is a collection of short stories called The Pier Falls by the author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Mark Haddon, who is not afraid to disturb.