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I spoke with author Jonathan Lethem about his sci-fi novel set in post-apocalyptic Maine. This is the video version of a previously posted podcast.
Tags: Books, audio interviews, author, videos, Ecco, science fiction, fiction, speculative fiction,
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Jonathan Lethem is a prolific short story and novel writer. He’s written eleven novels and his latest is The Arrest a science fiction novel about a semi-dystopian society. We spoke about the novel, about society, and about his writing process. The Arrest (Ecco, 2020)
0:32 – Jonathon talks about why he wrote The Arrest. He talks about setting it in Maine.
3:30 – Jonathon talks about the protagonist, setting, and conflict in the novel.
7:09 – Jonathon expands on why he chose to set the novel in Maine.
8:46 – Jonathon goes deeper into the “post-apocalyptic” setting of the book.
13:00 – Jonathon talks about how people communicate in his novel.
14:00 – Jonathon talks about growing up in an apocalyptic atmosphere.
15:35 – Jonathon talks about freedom and communication in his world.
16:51 – Jonathon talks about the research he did for the novel.
18:34 – Jonathon talks about things he learned about Maine.
20:35 – Jonathon talks about micro-differences in communities.
21:46 – Jonathon talks about the feel of the book.
22:39 – Jonathon talks about the musical feel to the book.
25:15 – Jonathon talks about one character being a script doctor and about his various interests.
27:19 – Jonathon talks about being a big reader.
27:53 – Jonathon talks about how he completes his novels.
30:07 – Jonathon talks about how his writing has changed over time.
32:06 – Jonathon started his career thinking he would be a painter.
34:01 – Jonathon talks about editing The Arrest and changing the novel’s POV.
35:16 – Jonathon talks about what changing the POV did for the story.
37:11 – Jonathon talks about growing up being cautioned about the future.
38:58 – Jonathon talks about the adaptation of books into films.
40:45 – Jonathon talks about his approach to films and Hollywood.
44:10 – Jonathon talks about short story writing.
44:31 – Jonathon can be found at JonathanLethem.com
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-arrest-jonathan-lethem?variant=32117464694818
For more “Full Contact Nerd” please follow me at crisalvarez.com, on Facebook at CrisAlvarezFCN, on youtube at Cris Alvarez on twitter @CrisAlvarezFCN, on Instagram @crisalvarezscifi, and on Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / Stitcher / Spotify for the podcast. Please see historyrabbithole.com for a list of my dozen or so blogs and podcasts. You’re sure to find something you like.
Guests: Jonathan Lethem
Host: Cris Alvarez
Tags: Books, audio interviews, author, podcast, Ecco, science fiction, fiction, speculative fiction,
Check out this book here https://amzn.to/32Mys8m
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The youtube version of my interview with Ellen Datlow about her Horror, fantasy, and sci-fi book “Edited By” (Subterranean, 2020)