Episode 145 Notes and Links to Vanessa Bee’s Work
On Episode 145 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Vanessa Bee, and the two discuss, among other topics, Vanessa’s adoption, her hunger for books and ideas of representation (or lack thereof) in her literary world, family dynamics and different forms of love, her various experiences living in three countries and two continents, the exquisite crafting and structuring of her book to center “home” in myriad ways, her multilingualism and its effects on her writing, evangelicalism and her coming-of-age in a changing and sometimes-chaotic world.
Vanessa A. Bee is a consumer protection lawyer and essayist. Born in Cameroon, she grew up in France, England, and the United States. Vanessa holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada and a law degree from Harvard.
Vanessa Bee's Website
Buy Homebound
Book Excerpt: “You Have to Suffer” from Guernica, 2020
Excerpt from Home Bound-From The Cut, October 2022-"Easy Target"
October 21 Online Event-Vanessa in Conversation with Sanae Lemoine for Books are Magic: 7pm EST
At about 7:10, Vanessa discusses the excitement and hubbub surrounding the release of her book on October 11, including tour stops
At about 9:55, Pete asks Vanessa about her history with languages and her relationship with the written word in her childhood
At about 14:10, the two discuss ideas of the reimagination of gendered words in French
At about 15:00, Vanessa outlines formative and important reading from her childhood
At about 17:30, Vanessa discusses ideas of representation (or lack thereof) in her childhood reading, and the all-too-rare occasions in which she found that representation, including the power Americanah by Adichie
At about 22:00, Vanessa details her college and postgraduate reading, both for business (law school!) and pleasure, and Pete follows up by asking about contemporary reading
At about 25:50, Pete wonders about “seeds” for Vanessa’s book and she responds to Pete’s question about “ ‘Eureka’ moments”
At about 30:45, Pete favorably compares Vanessa’s book to Jean Guerrero’s Crux and Nadia Owusu’s
At about 31:25, Vanessa explains meanings for her book’s title
At about 32:40, The two detail the book’s structure and its use of definitions of “home” as well as the book’s first chapter and connections to “home”; Vanessa gives an idea of her mindset during the book’s opening scenes
At about 34:30, Vanessa explains the significance of empathy and sympathy in her book and their connections to a Page Six quote from Ishiguro
At about 37:00, Vanessa discusses the meaning of her names and gives background on her adoption
At about 42:35, Pete compliments Vanessa for her multidimensional portrayals of her fathers, adopted and biological
At about 43:25, Vanessa details her childhood homes and moves and Pete notes her multifaceted coverage of the neighborhood in rational ways and more visceral ones
At about 45:20, Vanessa remarks that her two years at Internat in France were some of her “favorite childhood years” and explains why
At about 46:25, Vanessa gives background on her family’s move to Reno
At about 47:50, Pete wonders how much of joining churches, especially in London and Reno, was based on ideas of home and community and/or faith
At about 49:40, Pete highlights Lucky Lane in Reno, and Vanessa explains its significance
At about 52:35, The two discuss a fateful phone call with Vanessa’s biological father, and she addresses the immediate and long-term effects of her father’s death
At about 56:15, The two discuss Harvest Fellowship and its importance in her life, including her boyfriend and future husband and his treatment in the book, and the pivotal 2008 election
At about 1:00:00, Vanessa details a lack of communication between father and daughter
At about 1:01:00, Vanessa responds to Pete’s questions about exposure to a liberal group of friends at Harvard
At about 1:03:00, The two discuss a “growing apart” of husband and wife
At about 1:05:30, Pete cites a profound excerpt that sums up her time in evangelical circles
At about 1:06:10, Vanessa explicates the importance of her first condo that she owned and talks about the “complex topic” of gentrification
At about 1:09:40, the two discuss different meanings of “home” as laid out in chapters in the book-home in the body, etc.-including ideas of colorism, racism, and the importance of Alek Wek in Vanessa’s life and so many others’ lives
At about 1:13:40, the two discuss “home as a safe space” and stories of sexual harassment and abuse, and Pete asks about catharsis for Vanessa
At about 1:18:20, Vanessa gives out social media info and thanks publisher Astra House
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The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
The Chills at Will Podcast is joining Patreon in October! Pete will be spreading the word-sharing links and discussing the perks that come with Patreon membership during next week’s episode with Gustavo Barahona-Lopez. Keep your ears and eyes out as we unveil Chills at Will merch like refrigerator magnets and t shirts and unlock bonus episodes.
Please tune in for Episode 146 with Jonathan Escoffery, the author of the linked story collection, If I Survive You, a National Book Award Nominee, a New York Times Editor’s Choice, and an Indie National Bestseller. If I Survive You has been named a ‘best’ or ‘most anticipated’ book by Entertainment Weekly, Oprah Daily, and elsewhere.
The episode will air on October 18.
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Episode 135 with Briana Muñoz, An Activist, Dancer, and Poet of Healing, Challenging, Beautiful Words and Author of Loose Lips and Todo Vuelve a la Tierra/Everything Returns to the Soil
Episode 134 with Kirstin Chen: New York Times Bestselling Author of Three Novels, Including the Topical, yet Timeless and Universal Counterfeit, a Reese’s Book Club June 2022 Pick
Episode 133 with Nicholas Buccola, Keen and Reflective and Innovative Political Scientist, Historian, and Author of The Fire is Upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr. and The Debate...
Episode 132 with Morgan Talty, Writer of Believable, Relatable, and Subtly Powerful Prose, and Critically-Acclaimed Author of the Debut Collection, Night of the Living Rez, a Tour De Force
Episode 131 with Alice Elliott Dark, Brilliant Chronicler of the Specific and Universal, Writer of ”In the Gloaming,” Best Short Stories of the Century, and the New Epic Novel, Fellowship Point
Episode 130 with Dan Grunfeld, Former College and Pro Basketball Standout
Episode 129 with Sam Quinones, Highly-Acclaimed Journalist, Storyteller, and Author of the Acclaimed Books Dreamland and The Least of Us, and True Tales from Another Mexico
Episode 128 with Vania Patino, Journalistic Prodigy and Thorough and Reflective Reporter
Episode 127 with Raina Kelley, Innovative, Creative Storyteller and Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Andscape
Episode 126 with Kevin Owens, Author of Overseas Famous, Owner of Countless Classic Stories about Playing Ball Overseas, and Founder of Overseas Famous, LLC
Episode 125 with Jamil Jan Kochai, Master Allegorist/Worldbuilder and Author of the Award-Winning 99 Nights in Logar, and the Upcoming Story Collection, The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories
Episode 124 with Robin Peguero, Exciting New Voice, Legal Insider, and Crafter of the Exciting and Evocative Thriller, With Prejudice
Episode 123 with Zach Harper: Hilarious and Perceptive Hoopshead, Multitalented Host and Writer of Podcasts like CinePhobe, Radio Host, and Basketball Writer at The Athletic
Episode 122 with Sonora Reyes, Keen Observer and Chronicler of Young Adult Stories, Creator and Host of the Twitter Chat #QPOCChat, and Author of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School
Episode 121 with Michael Torres, Crafter of Profound and Musical Lines, Master of Imagery and Pathos, and Author of the Award-Winning Poetry Collection, An Incomplete List of Names
Episode 120 with traci kato-kiriyama, Thoughtful and Reflective Artist, Creative, Historian, and Activist, and Writer of the Work of Art that is Navigating With(out) Instruments
Episode 119 with Deesha Philyaw, Master Storyteller, Builder of Intrigue, Skilled Worldbuilder, and Craftswoman of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, Winner of the 2021 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction
Episode 118 with SJ Sindu, Master Storyteller, Versatile Writer of Varied Texts, and Author of Blue Skinned Gods, ”a rich, beautifully told and moving” Work
Episode 117 with Nadia Owusu, Introspective and Precise Writer and Chronicler of Trauma and Joy, Writ Large, and Author of the Award-Winning Memoir, Aftershocks
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