Rebecca F. Kuang on National Literatures, Book Publishing, and History in Fiction

32 snips

Jan 24, 2024

Rebecca F. Kuang, bestselling author of Babel and The Poppy War trilogy, shares her insights at just 27 years old. She discusses the cultural significance of Chinese science fiction and the challenges of publishing today. Kuang delves into the intricate use of footnotes in literature, critiques the publishing landscape, and reflects on the historical impacts of the Treaty of Versailles on Chinese identity. She also explores the unique dynamics of co-authorship, the influence of debate on writing, and balances this with her ongoing academic pursuits.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Resisting Generalizations

Rebecca Kuang resists generalizations about national literatures.
She emphasizes the diversity within genres and cross-cultural influences.

INSIGHT

Importance and Translation

Kuang appreciates Folding Beijing's cleverness and critical acclaim.
She acknowledges the translator's role in shaping what becomes important.

INSIGHT

Genre and Reader Experience

Kuang finds Jonathan Strange more genre-conforming than Piranesi.
Piranesi challenges readers, demanding they embrace the unique experience.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Gabriel García Márquez

One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the story of seven generations of the Buendía family, founders of the fictional town of Macondo. The novel spans a hundred years of turbulent Latin American history, from the postcolonial 1820s to the 1920s. It is a tale of love, loss, and the cyclical nature of history, filled with magical realism that blends the supernatural with the ordinary. The story follows the family's experiences, including civil war, marriages, births, and deaths, and explores themes such as solitude, fate, and the inevitability of repetition in history. The novel is renowned for its narrative style and its influence on the literary movement known as the Latin American Boom[1][4][5].

Infinite jest

wit and humor in Italian Renaissance art

Paul Barolsky

In this book, Paul Barolsky examines the role of wit and humor in Italian Renaissance art, providing insights into the artistic and cultural context of the period. The work delves into how artists of the Renaissance used humor and wit in their creations, reflecting the broader cultural and social attitudes of the time.

House of Leaves

Mark Z. Danielewski

House of Leaves is a complex, multi-layered narrative that combines elements of horror, suspense, family drama, and adventure. The story revolves around the Navidson family, who move into a house that turns out to be larger on the inside than the outside. The father, Will Navidson, a renowned photojournalist, documents their experiences in a film called 'The Navidson Record'. The narrative is presented through various layers, including the blind scholar Zampanò's analysis of the film, and the footnotes of Johnny Truant, a tattoo shop apprentice who becomes obsessed with the story. The book explores themes of trauma, obsession, and the blurring of reality and fiction, using an experimental format that includes fragmented text, footnotes, and unconventional page layouts.

Piranesi

Susanna Clarke

In *Piranesi*, the protagonist lives in a world called the House, a labyrinthine structure filled with thousands of statues, tides that surge through staircases, and clouds in the upper halls. Through his meticulous journals, Piranesi reconstructs the story of his arrival and explores the House, only to discover messages indicating the presence of another person. As he delves deeper, he uncovers secrets and confronts the possibility of a world beyond his known reality.

The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo. The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return. Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will[3][4][5].

Yellowface

Rebecca F. Kuang

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

Susanna Clarke

The novel is set in a world where magic once thrived in England but has since disappeared. It follows the lives of two magicians, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, who bring magic back to England. Jonathan Strange is a young, adventurous, and impulsive magician, while Mr. Norrell is a cantankerous bookworm who wants magic to be better regulated. Their differing approaches to magic lead to a series of conflicts and adventures, including involvement in the Napoleonic wars and interactions with fairies. The story explores themes of magic, history, and the complexities of human relationships.

This is How You Lose the Time War

Amal El-Mohtar

Max Gladstone

This Is How You Lose the Time War is an epistolary novel that follows agents Red and Blue as they travel through time, altering history on behalf of their warring empires. Despite their initial adversarial relationship, they develop a romantic connection through secret messages. The story explores themes of conflict, love, and resistance, with a poetic and sharp prose style. The book has won several awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and British Science Fiction and Fantasy awards[3][4][5].

Ficciones

Julio Pagano

Gabriela Aberastury

Jorge Luis Borges

Ficciones es una colección de cuentos que destacan por su complejidad y profundidad filosófica. Publicada entre 1941 y 1956, incluye historias como 'Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius' y 'La biblioteca de Babel', que han convertido a Borges en un referente literario mundial. Las narrativas de Borges desafían la percepción del tiempo, la realidad y el conocimiento.

Pale Fire

Mary McCarthy

Vladimir Nabokov

Pale Fire is a novel by Vladimir Nabokov, published in 1962. It consists of a long poem titled 'Pale Fire' by the fictional poet John Shade, along with a foreword, lengthy commentary, and index written by Shade's neighbor and academic colleague, Charles Kinbote. The poem is a masterpiece in heroic couplets, while Kinbote's commentary reveals his own delusional narrative, believing himself to be the exiled king of Zembla. The novel is a brilliant parody of literary scholarship, an experimental synthesis of Nabokov’s talents for both poetry and prose, and is often cited as an example of metafiction and hypertext fiction. It includes profound meditations on death, the afterlife, and the anguish of Kinbote’s madness, as well as the tragic story of Shade’s daughter[2][4][5].

Babel

Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution

Michel Pagel

Rebecca Kuang

In this novel, R. F. Kuang explores a fantastical version of Oxford in the 1830s where Britain's dominance is fueled by magical silver bars that capture the power of 'lost in translation' between languages. The story follows four students at the Royal Institute of Translation, their growing awareness of the imperialist system they are part of, and their eventual rebellion against it. The book delves into themes of imperialism, academia, and the moral dilemmas faced by those caught in the system.

Watchmen

John Higgins

Alan Moore

Dave Gibbons

Watchmen is a groundbreaking graphic novel that deconstructs the superhero genre. Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, with colours by John Higgins, it explores the human failings of superheroes in an alternate timeline where historical events have unfolded differently. The story delves into themes of power, morality, and the complexities of human nature, set against the backdrop of the Cold War era. It is known for its layered storytelling, nuanced dialogue, and its impact on the comic book industry by addressing taboo themes such as abuse of power, conspiracy, and social decay[1][3][5].

The Three-Body Problem

None

Cixin Liu

Cixin Liu's 'The Three-Body Problem' is a critically acclaimed science fiction novel that blends hard science with compelling storytelling. The story follows a group of scientists who make contact with an alien civilization, leading to unforeseen consequences for humanity. Liu's intricate world-building and exploration of complex scientific and philosophical themes have earned him widespread recognition. The novel is known for its ambitious scope and its exploration of the potential challenges and dangers of encountering extraterrestrial life. It's a thought-provoking work that has captivated readers worldwide.

2001

A Space Odyssey

Arthur C. Clarke

2001: A Space Odyssey is a seminal science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke, developed in collaboration with Stanley Kubrick's film version. The story spans millions of years, from the influence of aliens on early human ancestors to a mission to Saturn, exploring themes of technological advancement, human evolution, and existential questions about humanity's place in the universe.

Poppy War

R. F. Kuang

My Name Is Red

Orhan Pamuk

Babel

Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution

Michel Pagel

Rebecca Kuang

Folding Beijing

Hao Jingfang

In 'Folding Beijing', Hao Jingfang explores a future where Beijing is divided into three classes: the first class with 5 million people, the second with 25 million, and the third with 50 million. Each class occupies the city for different durations, with the city physically folding to accommodate them. The story follows Lao Dao, a waste worker from the third class, as he navigates this complex society to deliver a message for a significant reward. The novelette delves into themes of social inequality and technological displacement.

Frog

Mo Yan

Howard Goldblatt

Frog by Mo Yan chronicles the sweeping history of modern China through the lens of the nation's controversial one-child policy. The novel follows Gugu, a midwife who enforces the policy, and her nephew Tadpole, who narrates the story. It delves into themes of family, morality, and the consequences of state policies on personal lives. The book is translated by Howard Goldblatt and offers a poignant critique of China's social fabric.

A Floating Chinaman

Fantasy and Failure Across the Pacific

Hua Hsu

A Floating Chinaman delves into the interwar period when American perceptions of China shifted from disdain to fascination. It focuses on writers who competed to be seen as America's leading China experts, highlighting the marginalization of figures like H. T. Tsiang, a Chinese immigrant writer. The book explores the complexities of transpacific relations and the challenges faced by Asian-American writers in the early 20th century.

The empire strikes back

Ronald Amann