Episode
The Sunday Read: ‘How Yiyun Li Became a Beacon for Readers in Mourning’
32:57
Published: Sun Oct 23 2022
Description
Yiyun Li has garnered legions of fans with her unsparing prose, writing extensively about her own struggles with depression and suicidality.Her latest novel, “The Book of Goose,” is no different, sharing the same quality that has made Ms. Li something of a beacon to those suffering beneath unbearable emotional weight.Alexandra Kleeman, also a novelist, meets Ms. Li to discover the secrets of her charm, her experience of growing up in China and her writing process.This story was written by Alexandra Kleeman and recorded by Audm. To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.
Chapters
Yi Yun is a renowned writer known for her ability to convey difficult emotions, particularly grief, with a fresh and complex style.
00:00 - 03:02 (03:02)
Summary
Yi Yun is a renowned writer known for her ability to convey difficult emotions, particularly grief, with a fresh and complex style. This profile explores her love of reading and unique approach to writing.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘How Yiyun Li Became a Beacon for Readers in Mourning’
PodcastThe Daily
Yiyun Li, a Chinese-American author who was the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” in 2010 for her work, has built her legacy on her almost radical commitment to character and interiority over plot.
03:02 - 15:08 (12:06)
Summary
Yiyun Li, a Chinese-American author who was the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” in 2010 for her work, has built her legacy on her almost radical commitment to character and interiority over plot.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘How Yiyun Li Became a Beacon for Readers in Mourning’
PodcastThe Daily
Yiyun Li talks about the process of writing her debut novel, Immortality, and how it was inspired by War and Peace.
15:08 - 25:35 (10:27)
Summary
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.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘How Yiyun Li Became a Beacon for Readers in Mourning’
PodcastThe Daily
The origins of privacy in the Western world can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when people began building walls around their homes to create private spaces for reading and study.
25:35 - 32:40 (07:04)
Summary
The origins of privacy in the Western world can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when people began building walls around their homes to create private spaces for reading and study. Li's home, on the other hand, is filled with personal touches and details, from family photos and handmade greeting cards to stories about her pet dog, Quintus.