Literary Figures: Novelists
'Emphasize The Positive': James McBride On The Kindness That Shaped Him
James McBride is best known for his memoir, The Color of Water, about being the son of an African American father and a white mother. His new novel, Deacon King Kong, takes place in 1969, in a Brooklyn housing project, similar to the one he grew up in., and involves the wide consequences of a shooting.
Louise Erdrich On Her Personal Connection To Native Peoples' 'Fight For Survival'
Erdrich's new novel, The Night Watchman, was inspired by her grandfather, who chaired the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and fought a Congressional initiative to move native people off their land.
For Author Kevin Wilson, Writing Offers A Brief Reprieve From Tourette's
Kevin Wilson's new book 'Nothing To See Here' about a set of twins who burst into flame when angry or afraid, is inspired in part by the intrusive fearful images he has had since childhood.
Tom Perrotta Shares 'Post-Parental' Reflections From An Empty Nest
Perrotta's novel, Mrs. Fletcher, is now an HBO series. In 2017, he told Terry Gross that the book was inspired by the upheaval he experienced when his kids grew up and moved out of the house.
'Fresh Air' Remembers Toni Morrison With 3 Conversations Over 4 Decades
The Nobel laureate died Monday at 88. Terry Gross talked with Morrison in 1987 after she wrote Beloved, in 1992 after she authored Jazz and in 2015 when she published God Help the Child.
'Cities Are Resilient,' Says Baltimore Crime Novelist Laura Lippman
Baltimore is the setting for Laura Lippman's noir novels, including her popular Tess Monaghan series, and her new stand-alone novel 'Lady in the Lake.' Her new novel is set in the mid 60s but deals with issues that are still with us like racism, sexism, and homophobia.
Colson Whitehead On The True Story Of Abuse And Injustice Behind 'Nickel Boys'
Whitehead's new novel is based on a notorious Florida reform school where boys were beaten and sexually abused. "If there's one place like this, there are many," he says.
'The Friend' Novelist Grapples With Suicide, Grief And Student-Teacher Relationships
Sigrid Nunez's National Book Award-winning novel is narrated by a woman grieving the suicide of her longtime friend and former writing professor, whom she slept with once.