Susan Choi

In this episode, novelist and National Book Award winner Susan Choi dives into her latest work, Flashlight. She shares the poignant story of Louisa, a girl grappling with her father's mysterious disappearance. Choi discusses Louisa’s emotional barricades, influenced by her complex family background as an ethnic Korean in Japan. The conversation highlights historical tensions between Korea and Japan and Choi’s unique approach of writing chronologically to weave generations together, all while personalizing Louisa’s struggle to embrace love.

Atul Gawande, a surgeon and public health expert, dives into the dire outcomes of USAID budget cuts, revealing how they led to a collapse in health systems and rising death rates in places like Kenya. He emphasizes that these global health issues also have troubling repercussions domestically. Susan Choi, an acclaimed novelist, shares insights about her book 'Flashlight,' discussing themes of identity and belonging while critiquing the current wave of book bans and their impact on cultural discourse.

Andrew Miller, a British novelist, discusses his Booker Prize-nominated work, The Land in Winter, delving into its gothic tone and complex character portrayals. Katie Kitamura shares insights on her novel Audition, exploring the intersections of performance and social media. David Szalay reflects on the themes of alienation in Flesh, emphasizing narrative gaps and emotional resonance. Susan Choi highlights disappearance and loss in Flashlight, tying her research in Japan to her story's haunting motifs.