Episode 276 with Donna Minkowitz, Author of Donnaville and Master Worldbuilder and Detail-Oriented Painter of Vivid Scenes and Characters

Notes and Links to Donna Minkowitz’s Work

 

 

 

  Donna Minkowitz is a writer of fiction and memoir who author Mary Gaitskill has celebrated as “original, energetic, witty, and meaty.” Andrew Solomon dubbed her “utterly entrancing… a writer with breathtakingly fluent language.” She is also the author of the fantasy-influenced memoir Growing Up Golem and the memoir Ferocious Romance, about being an openly lesbian reporter covering the Christian right undercover. Growing Up Golem was a finalist for both a Lambda Literary Award and for the Publishing Triangle’s Judy Grahn Nonfiction Award, and Ferocious Romance won a Lambda Literary Award. Donna, a former columnist for the Village Voice and The Advocate, has also written for the New York Times Book Review, The Nation, Salon, Slate, and New York magazine.

   DONNAVILLE, her first novel and third book, was recently published by Indolent Books.

Buy Donnaville

 

Donna's Website

 

Book Review for Donnaville from Kirkus Reviews

 

At about 2:05, Donna provides background on her formative reading and writing years 

At about 3:40, Pete and Donna talk about the benefits of reading works a bit too old for them

At about 5:05, Donna responds to Pete’s questions about the Torah and how its stories affected her writing

At about 6:30, Donna talks about formative and transformative writers, including poets and Greek mythology

At about 8:05, Donna responds to Pete’s questions about representation in discussing the significance of Sappho’s work

At about 10:25, Donna discusses the nuances of the word “queer” and generational usages 

At about 14:00, Pete and Donna stan Honor Thy Father by Gay Talese, which receives a shout out in Donnaville

At about 17:20, Donna expands on writers who inspired her as a high school and college student; she talks about the complicated legacy and work of Tolkien 

At about 21:30, Pete asks Donna and how the detail shown in Donnaville connects to her work as an esteemed journalist 

At about 23:40, Donna talks about her undercover journalism work, including a memorable white nationalism conference and purported former Olympic hopeful

At about 26:40, Donna talks about the book’s opening scene and connections to her real life, with regard to therapy and therapists and ways of finding growth

At about 31:55, Pete describes the book’s exposition and compliments Donna’s 

At about 34:05, Donna cites Denise Levertov’s and Delmore Schwartz’s (“Narcissus”) work as inspiration for her book featuring a city inside her mind; Pete cites another wonderful Schwartz text, “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities”

At about 36:40, Donna talks about Foucault and resistance in connection to an evocative line from her book

At about 37:20, Donna expands upon how there are two characters in the book who are not pieces of her, and she explains the significance of Harlequin in the book

At about 41:45, Donna responds to Pete’s question about the lying nature of Harlequin 

At about 44:15, Donna and Pete explore ideas of connection and confusion between abusers and their young victims

At about 47:50, Donna talks about early “action” that Donna in the book is urged to take

At about 49:40, Pete highlights a beautiful quote regarding the “sacred divine” and Donna talks about expectations of hurt

At about 50:30, The two discuss the contradictions of the book’s jailer, and Donna further discusses ideas of shame

At about 53:25, Donna expands on how she sees parts of her life and family in certain characters in the book

At about 54:40, Pete shouts out a story, William Carlos Willams’ “The Use of Force,” that explores ideas of sadism in similar ways as Donnaville 

At about 55:50, Donna muses over ideas of self-care, emotional regulation, and structure in our lives featured in the book

At about 57:35, Pete gives details about the book’s main focus, and Donna responds to his observations about Donnaville as “a happily queer book” as she also expands upon pleasures found in the book

At about 1:02:05, Pete cites traumas alluded to in the book and a deep quote about traumas emerging in people’s lives

At about 1:04:10, Donna ponders Pete’s question about a nurturing group of older people and connects the book to Joseph Campbell’s “Hero's Journey”

At about 1:07:30, Pete and Donna discuss a possible animated movie based on the book and possible voice actors

At about 1:09:25, Donna shouts out as bookstores to buy her book, such as The Bureau of General Services, Queer Division, Stanza Books and Binnacle Books

 

 

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    Please tune in for Episode 277 with Jahmal Mayfield, who writes gritty crime novels that touch on large social issues. His stellar SMOKE KINGS was inspired by Kimberly Jones’ passionate viral video, “How can we win?”

   The episode airs on March 25.