Jesse Browner, author of 'Sing to Me' and translator of French literary masterpieces, shares insights on the moral complexities faced by his protagonist, Hani, as he searches for his lost sister amidst the ruins of war. The conversation dives into the deep bond between Hani and his donkey, exploring how non-human companionship reflects broader emotional landscapes. Browner discusses the critical interplay of language and understanding in conflict, as well as the novel's poignant themes of empathy and lamentation, urging listeners to consider the human cost of war.
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Ansah the Donkey as Companion
Hani projects his own wisdom onto his donkey, Ansah, believing she imparts wisdom to him.
Ansah serves as a sounding board, reflecting Hani's innate sensitivity and compassion.
insights INSIGHT
Homeric Influences Subtle Yet Present
The novel embeds Homeric language subtly but requires no prior knowledge of the Iliad.
Hani's illiteracy and ignorance of his environment preserve mystery until late in the story.
insights INSIGHT
Narrative Style Enhances Perspective
Free and indirect discourse suits an illiterate child narrator by aligning language to his limited experience.
Present tense narration puts readers in real-time empathy with Hani's perspective.
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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 Road
Tom Stechschulte
Cormac McCarthy
The Road is set in a world that has been devastated by an unspecified cataclysmic event, resulting in the extinction of nearly all life on Earth. The story follows an unnamed father and his young son as they travel south along the road, carrying their meager possessions and a pistol with only two bullets. The father, suffering from a worsening respiratory condition, is determined to protect his son from the dangers of their new world, including cannibalistic marauders. Along their journey, they encounter various survivors, some of whom are cruel and others who show kindness. The novel explores themes of love, survival, and the preservation of humanity in a world devoid of hope. Ultimately, the father's health fails, and he dies, but not before ensuring his son's safety with a new family who may offer a chance for a better future[2][3][4].
Jesse Browner is the author of the novels Sing to Me (Little Brown, 2025) The Uncertain Hour and Everything Happens Today, among others, as well as of the memoir How Did I Get Here? He is also the translator of works by Jean Cocteau, Paul Eluard, Rainer Maria Rilke, Matthieu Ricard and other French literary masters. He lives in New York City.
Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro Against World Literature, is published with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers.
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