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Geraldine Brooks On the Art of Grieving and Spanning the Political Divide

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Mar 6, 2025

Guest

Geraldine Brooks

Geraldine Brooks, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and author of "March" and "Horse," discusses her grief following the sudden death of her husband, Tony Horwitz. She reflects on mourning in a society that shies away from sadness and shares how writing served as a therapeutic outlet. The conversation also touches on Tony's vision of bridging political divides during tumultuous times, now more relevant than ever. Additionally, Brooks offers her thoughts on her contribution to a new book about public service, highlighting the importance of community and connection.

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Episode notes

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ANECDOTE

Hobro Reporting

Geraldine Brooks and Tony Horwitz, known as "Hobro," covered Middle East conflicts from opposing sides for the Wall Street Journal.
They often filed joint bylines, feeling like one journalistic entity.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Meeting Tony

Brooks and Horwitz met at Columbia Journalism School, initially bonding over his story about car battery theft.
Six months later, they reconnected in a business reporting seminar.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

The Phone Call

Brooks received the news of Horwitz's death via a brief, impersonal phone call.
She criticizes the lack of a compassionate protocol for such notifications.

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Reflections on Journalism and Lasting Connections

04:26 • 2min

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Navigating Love and Loss

06:54 • 14min

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Navigating Mourning in Modern Society

21:01 • 6min

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Navigating Grief and Understanding Divisions

27:22 • 16min

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Navigating Grief and Political Uncertainty

43:01 • 9min

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Civil Service and the Weight of Loss

51:32 • 9min

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Exploring Personality Dynamics and Relationships

01:00:51 • 2min

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#6823

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

March is a graphic novel memoir by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell, chronicling Lewis's experiences in the Civil Rights Movement. The book vividly depicts the struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices of the movement, offering a powerful and personal account of a pivotal moment in American history. Through powerful imagery and compelling storytelling, March provides a moving and insightful look at the fight for racial equality. The book has received widespread critical acclaim and has been widely used in educational settings.

#15484

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Spying on the South

Tony Horwitz

In this book, Tony Horwitz follows the footsteps of Frederick Law Olmsted, who traveled through the South in the 1850s as an undercover correspondent for the precursor to the New York Times. Horwitz contrasts Olmsted's findings with the contemporary South, exploring themes of racial suppression, civil war, and the complexities of the region. The book is a blend of history, travelogue, and social commentary, highlighting the enduring issues and changes in the American South over time.

#1378

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

The Year of Magical Thinking

Joan Didion

In 'The Year of Magical Thinking,' Joan Didion recounts the year after her husband's sudden death, delving into the intense and often irrational nature of grief. The book is a raw and unflinching account of her emotional journey, detailing her 'magical thinking' – the belief that her husband would return. Didion also navigates her daughter's severe health crises and grapples with the fragility of life. The memoir blends personal narrative with investigative journalism, citing medical literature and psychological studies to understand the grieving process. It is a powerful exploration of loss, memory, and the human experience of mourning.

#15676

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Horse

Geraldine Brooks

Horse is a sweeping narrative that weaves together multiple timelines, from the 1850s to the present day. The story centers around Lexington, the greatest racehorse in American history, and his bond with an enslaved groom named Jarret. As the nation faces the Civil War, the story intertwines with an itinerant artist, a gallery owner in 1950s New York, and modern-day researchers from the Smithsonian. The novel delves into themes of spirit, obsession, and injustice, highlighting the legacy of enslavement and racism in America. Brooks' meticulous research and vivid descriptions bring to life the world of 19th-century horse racing, the impact of the Civil War, and the enduring connections between humans and horses.

#1007

• Mentioned in 23 episodes

Being Mortal

Atul Gawande

In *Being Mortal*, Atul Gawande explores the limitations and failures of modern medicine in dealing with aging and death. Through personal stories, case studies, and research, Gawande argues that the medical profession often prioritizes prolonging life over improving its quality. He highlights the need for greater communication and planning around end-of-life care, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, dignity, and individual preferences. The book encourages readers to rethink their approach to aging and dying, focusing on what makes life meaningful and fulfilling until the very end.

#17422

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Confederates in the Attic

Tony Horwitz

In 'Confederates in the Attic,' Tony Horwitz delves into the ongoing impact of the American Civil War on modern Southern identity. The book combines history, memoir, and travelogue as Horwitz joins Civil War reenactors, visits historical sites, and interviews various individuals, including the last surviving widow of a Confederate soldier and historian Shelby Foote. Horwitz examines the complex and often racially charged attitudes towards the Civil War, highlighting how the past continues to influence the present in the South.

On May 27, 2019, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, best-selling author (and Kara’s friend) Tony Horwitz was on book tour for his latest work, Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide, when he died suddenly. He left behind two sons and his wife, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Geraldine Brooks, whose books include March and Horse.

Dealing with Tony’s death, taking time to grieve his passing and remembering their life together are at the center of Brooks’ latest memoir, Memorial Days. Brooks and Kara reminisce about Tony’s life, reflect on the challenge of grieving in a culture that is “averse to sad,” and ponder how Tony would have continued his “barstool democracy” — an attempt to span the political divide already shaking the nation — under Trump 2.0. They also discuss her latest project, a chapter in Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service, edited by acclaimed author Michael Lewis, which will be released on March 18th.

This interview was recorded live at Sixth & I, a center for arts, entertainment, ideas, and Jewish life in Washington, D.C., and hosted in partnership with Politics and Prose Bookstore,

Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher.

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