Working: Brooklyn Crime Novel by Jonathan Lethem

2023-10-01

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This week, Isaac talks to author and returning guest Jonathan Lethem! In the interview, Jonathan discusses his brand new book, Brooklyn Crime Novel, which revisits themes and settings that Jonathan engaged with in his previous works, Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn. This time, Jonathan uses unusual storytelling tactics–like characters without names and chapters that vary wildly in length–to rediscover the Brooklyn of his youth. After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas talk about...

This week, Isaac talks to author and returning guest Jonathan Lethem! In the interview, Jonathan discusses his brand new book, Brooklyn Crime Novel, which revisits themes and settings that Jonathan engaged with in his previous works, Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn. This time, Jonathan uses unusual storytelling tactics–like characters without names and chapters that vary wildly in length–to rediscover the Brooklyn of his youth.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas talk about why great artists often return to the same material over and over.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Jonathan explains how he mapped out Brooklyn Crime Novel’s unusual structure.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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