The LRB Podcast
On Mavis Gallant
Apr 2, 2025
Tessa Hadley, a celebrated author and regular contributor to the London Review of Books, delves into the literary world of Mavis Gallant. They discuss Gallant's profound short stories and what sets them apart from her novels. Hadley highlights how Gallant's unique insights into society, particularly through female characters, reveal rich human experiences. The conversation also touches on the intriguing blend of personal and broader wartime themes in Gallant's work, showcasing her status as a ‘writer's writer’ and the impact of her self-doubt on her craft.
38:05
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Quick takeaways
- Mavis Gallant's upbringing in a glamorous yet emotionally distant family significantly shaped her nuanced understanding of human complexities in her writing.
- Her distinctive writing style, marked by economy and precision, highlights the tension of self-doubt balanced with confident authority in her narratives.
Deep dives
Mavis Gallant's Early Life and Influences
Mavis Gallant, born in Montreal in 1922, experienced a complex childhood that greatly influenced her writing. Raised in a glamorous but emotionally distant family, she was sent to a Catholic boarding school at a young age, where she felt the weight of strict discipline. This challenging upbringing, coupled with the early death of her father when she was just ten, shaped her perspective as a writer. Despite her tumultuous experiences, Gallant's stories never portray her as a victim; instead, they reflect her nuanced understanding of human complexities.
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