Christine Smallwood

Christine Smallwood, an accomplished author and core faculty member at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research, shares her compelling journey from academia to fiction writing. She reflects on the challenges of transitioning from a PhD to creative writing, discussing the impact of personal experience on her work. The conversation dives into the joys of engaging with George Eliot’s 'Middlemarch,' emphasizing narrative development and personal connection. Smallwood also tackles the intricacies of literary critique, advocating for more interactive, conversational approaches to literature.

Christine Smallwood, an author and critic known for her insightful writings, dives into Chantal Akerman's film 'La Captive'. She discusses how the film's interior spaces reflect complex emotional states like desire and entrapment. The conversation touches on themes of jealousy, intimacy, and repetition in film viewing. Smallwood also examines emotional depth in Akerman's work, offering reflections on aging and memory. The haunting presence of characters and the unique visual compositions further enrich the dialogue, showcasing Akerman's significant artistic contributions.

Novelist and literary critic Christine Smallwood discusses Freud's Fliess Extracts, diving into fragments, libido, projection, anxiety, melancholia, and a case study on a paranoiac young woman. Explore Freud's evolving thoughts on hysteria and the fragmentary nature of his texts.