Folger Shakespeare Library: Shakespeare Unlimited
Julia Armfield Reimagines King Lear in a Drowning World
Mar 11, 2025
Julia Armfield, a London-based fiction writer known for her novels exploring climate catastrophe, discusses her latest work, 'Private Rites.' She delves into how King Lear's themes resonate in a world shaped by rising sea levels, particularly through the lens of three sisters navigating their father’s death. The conversation touches on sibling dynamics, eco-critical themes, and the intersection of queerness and horror in contemporary narratives. Armfield also reflects on the everyday struggle amidst disaster and how familial power plays manifest in modern life.
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Quick takeaways
- Julia Armfield's novel 'Private Rites' explores the intersection of climate change and familial trauma through the prism of three sisters' complex relationships.
- The narrative reframes traditional apocalyptic tropes by highlighting the resilience of queer identities and chosen families in a disaster-ravaged world.
Deep dives
Imagining Environmental Catastrophe
The novel 'Private Rights' portrays a future ravaged by climate change, with cities submerged and the wealthy isolated from the struggles of the poor. In this dystopian setting, London transforms into an archipelago, highlighting the drastic social divides exacerbated by environmental disasters. The story revolves around three sisters grappling with their father's death, an ambitious architect whose legacy is intertwined with the hardships faced by the city. This backdrop creates a compelling narrative that underscores themes of inheritance and the inequities brought about by climate change.
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