

The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
WNYC Studios and The New Yorker
New Yorker fiction writers read their stories.
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Aug 17, 2025 • 19min
Miriam Toews Reads “Something Has Come to Light”
Dive into Miriam Toews' captivating tale, where emotional intricacies unravel amidst familial love and nostalgia. Experience the haunting beauty of cherished memories captured in photographs. The narrative poignantly addresses loss, particularly focusing on the deep connections formed in rural life. As the protagonist reflects on the passing of a beloved neighbor, themes of remembrance and the enduring nature of love come to life. This touching exploration of grief invites listeners to reflect on their own connections and memories.

Aug 3, 2025 • 57min
Kiran Desai Reads "An Unashamed Proposal"
Kiran Desai shares her latest story, bringing to life a humorous marriage proposal involving a grandfather. Family dynamics and societal pressures play a pivotal role as characters navigate love and loneliness. The narrative highlights Sunny's struggle to balance his Indian roots and life in America, revealing the complexities of cultural identity. Rich dialogues explore romantic relationships and the challenges faced by immigrants, ultimately weaving a tale of personal freedom against a backdrop of tradition.

Jul 27, 2025 • 52min
Anne Enright Reads “The Bridge Stood Fast”
Anne Enright delivers a captivating reading of her story, taking listeners on a lively adventure between a child and an adult. The narrative beautifully captures the bittersweet nature of family road trips, filled with nostalgia and emotion. Listeners will resonate with themes of grief, connection, and the trials of maintaining relationships through loss. Enright's exploration of familial tensions adds depth, and her vivid storytelling highlights the complexities of sibling interactions and the impact of cherished memories.

Jul 20, 2025 • 50min
Mona Awad Reads “The Chartreuse”
Mona Awad reads her story “The Chartreuse,” from the July 28, 2025, issue of the magazine. Awad is the author of four books of fiction, including “13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl,” which won the Amazon Best First Novel Award, and “Rouge,” which was published in 2023. Her new novel, “We Love You, Bunny,” will come out in September.
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Jul 13, 2025 • 39min
Clare Sestanovich Reads “Natural History”
Clare Sestanovich's captivating reading of 'Natural History' intertwines identity and personal history. Listeners are drawn into Jesse's emotional journey after his release from a protest holding area, as he reflects on memory and value amidst chaos. The story intensifies at a climate protest, revealing existential struggles while he grapples with his personal relationships and societal tensions. Themes of routine and introspection surface as he contemplates significant connections, adding depth to his inner narrative.

11 snips
Jul 6, 2025 • 34min
Zadie Smith Reads “The Silence”
Zadie Smith presents her evocative story, 'The Silence,' exploring the powerful themes of solitude and introspection. Listeners are taken on a journey through the protagonist's reflections on life changes and memories, framed by moments of quiet. Vivid imagery underscores the complexities of human connection, showcased through symbolic encounters. Smith's reading invites deep emotional engagement, highlighting the significance of silence in fostering understanding and self-discovery.

Jul 2, 2025 • 39min
Ottessa Moshfegh Reads “The Comedian”
Ottessa Moshfegh reads her story “The Comedian,” from the July 7 & 14, 2025, issue of the magazine. Moshfegh is the author of one story collection and four novels, including “Eileen,” for which she won the PEN/Hemingway Award in 2016; “My Year of Rest and Relaxation”; and “Lapvona,” which came out in 2022.
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Jun 30, 2025 • 48min
Jhumpa Lahiri Reads “Jubilee”
Jhumpa Lahiri reads her story “Jubilee,” from the July 7 & 14, 2025, issue of the magazine. Lahiri, a recipient of the National Humanities Medal and the PEN/Malamud Award, among others, is the author of six books of fiction, including the story collections “Interpreter of Maladies,” which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2000, and “Roman Stories,” which was written in Italian and published in English in 2023.
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Jun 22, 2025 • 1h 2min
Han Ong Reads “Happy Days”
Han Ong reads his story “Happy Days,” from the June 30, 2025, issue of the magazine. The recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and the Berlin Prize, Ong is the author of more than a dozen plays and two novels, “Fixer Chao” and “The Disinherited.”
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Jun 15, 2025 • 52min
Yiyun Li Reads “Any Human Heart”
Yiyun Li reads her story “Any Human Heart,” from the June 23, 2025, issue of the magazine. Li is the author of eight books of fiction, including the novels “Must I Go” and “The Book of Goose,” and the story collection “Wednesday’s Child,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2024. A new nonfiction book, “Things in Nature Merely Grow,” was published in May.
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