How To Academy Podcast RF Kuang - To Hell with Love
Dec 19, 2025
Rebecca F. Kuang, an award-winning novelist known for works like Babel and Yellowface, delves into her latest novel, Katabasis. She discusses the dual meanings of katabasis—both a descent into the underworld and a metaphor for personal struggles, spurred by her own traumatic experiences. Kuang reflects on the burdens of immortality, the challenges of academic freedom, and the tension between artistic honesty and public scrutiny. With a rich tapestry of literary influences, she shares insights on writing, grief, and the importance of embracing life's ephemerality.
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Meaning Of Katabasis
- Katabasis means a hero's descent to the underworld and can be literal or metaphorical.
- The most compelling stories focus on the ascent out of hell, not just the descent.
Personal PhD Catabasis
- Rebecca describes her PhD year as her personal katabasis when her partner got seriously ill and they faced housing and healthcare chaos.
- Writing the novel helped her make those emotions legible and process the numbness she felt then.
Ignore Fear; Write Wildly
- Don't let fear of audience judgment dictate your creative process; embrace being wild and weird instead.
- If you pre-emptively write to please critics, you risk producing bland, forgettable work.