Olivia Wolfgang-Smith

In this insightful discussion, novelist Olivia Wolfgang-Smith, author of 'Glassworks' and 'Mutual Interest,' shares her admiration for Edith Wharton and her enthusiasm for Patrick O'Brian’s naval novels. She dives into the themes of ambition and identity in her own work set in post-Gilded Age New York. The conversation also touches on Kafka's 'The Trial,' exploring its existential dread and absurdity. Moreover, Olivia emphasizes the evolving portrayals of queer identities and the significance of psychological connections in literature.

Olivia Wolfgang-Smith, a talented novelist recognized for her works including Glassworks, dives into her latest historical novel, Mutual Interest. She shares her research on turn-of-the-century New York, exploring subway history and its marvels. The discussion highlights themes of queer chosen family and the complexity of outcast identities through a trio of protagonists. Olivia also touches on societal perceptions of intimacy, the historical challenges of women's mobility, and the intriguing interplay between ambition and industrial capitalism.