The New Yorker: Fiction

Award-winning author André Alexis discusses Alice Munro's 'Before the Change' on The New Yorker Fiction podcast, exploring family dynamics, medical procedures, and the complexities of ignorance and knowledge in the narrative. The episode delves into themes of sadness, love, and father-daughter dynamics, highlighting the collaborative editing process with a renowned author and cultural discussions on renowned authors and diverse podcast offerings.

Rachel Cusk, award-winning author, reads and discusses Marguerite Duras' unique short stories. They explore Duras' writing style evolution, themes of loss, injustice, and power dynamics in her works. The conversation delves into religion, dreams, and the emotional depth of Duras' characters, showcasing the complexity and artistry of both authors.

David Bezmozgis joins Deborah Treisman to discuss 'Likes' by Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, exploring themes of parenthood, digital culture, and generational perspectives on technology. The podcast delves into a father's reflections on his daughter's Instagram use amidst the 2016 election context, highlighting the challenges and nuances of contemporary parenting roles.

Greg Jackson reads and discusses Jennifer Egan's 'Safari,' exploring narrative depth, family dynamics on a safari trip, rising tensions, intricate relationships, power struggles, character development, and life transitions.

Sterling HolyWhiteMountain, Jones Lecturer at Stanford, reads and discusses Roberto Bolaño's 'Labyrinth.' The hosts explore Bolano's power in restoring faith in fiction writing. They delve into the intricacies of 'Labyrinth,' the interconnected lives of characters, and the photograph that inspired the story. The conversation also touches on the erotic nature of the narrative and the author's recursive structure.

Acclaimed author Aleksandar Hemon joins host Rivka Galchen to discuss the use of inflection and emotion in short fiction. They also explore the significance of bees in Hemon's story and analyze the mix of truth and fiction in his writing.

Teju Cole reads and discusses Anne Carson's unique and challenging fiction. They analyze the opening scene, explore the protagonist's emotional journey, and delve into the contrast between cruelty and tenderness in the world.

Margaret Atwood joins Deborah Treisman in a live podcast to read and discuss Mavis Gallant's 'Varieties of Exile'. They explore the emotional impact on Americans tied to Gaza, share anecdotes about meeting Mavis Gallant, discuss book condition and reading habits, explore the experiences of remittance men, reflect on Frank Cairns and his socialist beliefs, and delve into loss and forgetfulness in 'Varieties of Exile'. They also discuss Mavis Gallant's autobiographical stories and Lynette Muir's relationships with remittance men and Frank Cairns.

Lucinda Rosenfeld, author of five novels, joins Deborah Treisman to discuss 'Returns' by Annie Ernaux. They explore the difference between auto-fiction and memoir, the mother-daughter relationship portrayed in the story, and the themes of returning and loneliness. The chapter also highlights Annie Ernaux's ability to capture ethnological details.

Author Donald Antrim discusses his short story 'An Actor Prepares' with guest Andrew O'Hagan. They explore themes of transgression, danger, dysfunctional relationships, and the balance between control and lack of control in storytelling. They also analyze the choice of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' as the backdrop and reflect on the importance of breaking traditional story parameters.