The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker

Yiyun Li Reads “The Particles of Order”

Aug 25, 2024

Yiyun Li, acclaimed author of eight fiction books, reads her evocative story “The Particles of Order.” She invites listeners into Ursula's world as she prepares for a guest, blending kitchen reflections with memories of a cab driver. The narrative deepens as Li explores a poignant exchange between Lillian and a caretaker in the English countryside, illuminating themes of loss and solitude. Through their dialogue, they confront identity and the blurred lines between life and fiction, showcasing Li's masterful storytelling.

56:39

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Episode guests

Yiyun Li

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Quick takeaways

Ursula's preparation for Lillian's visit highlights the profound significance of hosting as a means of emotional connection and warmth.

The exchange of personal grief between Lillian and Ursula illuminates how shared narratives can serve as a path toward healing and understanding.

Deep dives

The Arrival of Lillian Pan

Ursula prepares for the arrival of her American guest, Lillian Pan, reflecting on the significance of hosting. Lillian, an older woman traveling alone, embodies a complex stage in life where some find order, while others lose theirs. The dreary weather outside contrasts the warmth of Ursula's planned welcome, which includes neatly arranged food and thoughtful details. Observing Lillian through the kitchen window, Ursula considers the emotional weight of travel, believing that guests seek something beyond what is available at home.

Intro

2min

Conversations in Solitude: Between Fiction and Reality

53min

2min

Yiyun Li reads her story “The Particles of Order,” from the September 2, 2024, issue of the magazine. Li is the author of eight books of fiction, including the novels “Must I Go” and “The Book of Goose,” and the story collection “Wednesday’s Child,” which was a finalist for this year’s Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. A new nonfiction book, “Things in Nature Merely Grow,” will be published next year.

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