Teju Cole reads his story about Miss Prosper, a woman who sings revealing her true essence. The group plans an escape, facing painful obstacles. The narrator expresses through writing and reflects on welcoming a nonverbal individual. It explores reflections on departure and a challenging journey to the coast.
Hope can be found in unexpected sources during challenging times.
The presence of a mysterious figure brings about introspection and irrevocable change in one's life.
Deep dives
Finding optimism in unexpected places
Playwright Lynn Nottage and songwriter David Byrne suggest that in challenging times, hope can be found in unexpected sources.
The power of a song
The impact of Miss Prosper's song on the listeners is profound, as it transports them to a place of youth and possibility, even as their circumstances and the world around them deteriorate.
The enigmatic guest
The narrator reflects on the mysterious figure of Mira, who arrived unexpectedly and stayed with her family. While Mira communicates minimally, her presence has brought about introspection and a sense of irrevocable change in their lives.
Teju Cole reads his story “Incoming,” which appears in the December 4, 2023, issue of the magazine. Cole, a winner of the PEN/Hemingway Award and the Windham Campbell Literature Prize, is a novelist, critic, curator, and essayist. His novel “Tremor” was published earlier this year and a new book, “Pharmakon,” a collection of prose pieces and photographs, will be published in 2024.