Chapter
The Writing Life by Yiyun Li
15:08 - 25:35 (10:27)
Yiyun Li talks about the process of writing her debut novel, Immortality, and how it was inspired by War and Peace. She also discusses her admission to the Iowa Writers Workshop, winning the Paris Review's Plimpton Prize, and her debut story collection and novel, The Vagrants.
Clips
Yiyun Li's writing career began during her late twenties while working at a hospital during the day and taking an evening class with a poet at night, culminating in the publication of her first book.
15:08 - 20:51 (05:43)
Summary
Yiyun Li's writing career began during her late twenties while working at a hospital during the day and taking an evening class with a poet at night, culminating in the publication of her first book. However, the tragic loss of her oldest son to suicide while she was writing her latest book, Must I Go?, cast a shadow over her success, and she has since taken a break from writing.
ChapterThe Writing Life by Yiyun Li
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘How Yiyun Li Became a Beacon for Readers in Mourning’
PodcastThe Daily
The Tolstoy Together project, initiated by author Yiyun Li in response to quarantine life, involved a diverse group of readers who read War and Peace together on Twitter, sharing daily observations about each section.
20:51 - 25:35 (04:43)
Summary
The Tolstoy Together project, initiated by author Yiyun Li in response to quarantine life, involved a diverse group of readers who read War and Peace together on Twitter, sharing daily observations about each section. The experience created a sense of community and momentum that helped readers to cope with the challenges of quarantine.