New Books Network Jennifer Kabat, "Nightshining: A Memoir in Four Floods" (Milkweed Editions, 2025)
Jun 28, 2025
Jennifer Kabat, a talented writer focused on history, ecology, art, and science, discusses her memoir, "Nightshining: A Memoir in Four Floods." She blends personal narratives with historical insights about floods and climate change in the Catskills. The conversation touches on Johannes Kepler's scientific legacy, the emotional distance in research environments, and the significance of memory in creativity. Kabat also explores the complex history of cloud seeding, weaving personal stories with themes of community and nature, ultimately urging a deeper connection to the world.
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Beyond Traditional Memoir Form
- Jennifer Kabat's book resists traditional memoir and linear narrative forms.
- It uses nested histories and place to explore climate change and lived experience.
Ghosts and Anti-Progress Thought
- Kabat links her father's ghostly presence with her rejection of progress narratives.
- She challenges rationalist views by embracing mediumistic experiences and anti-progress ideas.
Cloud Seeding’s Complex Legacy
- Scientists Vince Schaefer and Bernard Vonnegut developed cloud seeding as a Cold War weapon.
- Their invention was later used in warfare and environmental regulation, showing science’s double edges.
