Political Gabfest: A Murder Mystery that Uncovers the Excitement in the Everyday and Ordinary
Digest
The podcast begins with an introduction to the hosts and the topic of the episode: a discussion with author Elizabeth Stroud about her new novel, "Tell Me Everything." The hosts delve into the popularity of Stroud's novels, comparing them to the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to their interconnected stories and relatable characters set in the fictional town of Crosby, Maine. The conversation then shifts to "Tell Me Everything," exploring themes of human connection, storytelling, and the complexities of ordinary lives. The hosts discuss the murder mystery element, the relationship between Bob Burgess and Lucy Barton, and the importance of storytelling and listening in the novel. Stroud emphasizes the concept of "unrecorded lives" and how ordinary people often lead extraordinary lives. The discussion further explores the idea of the "unrecorded interior life," the theme of acceptance and understanding, and the unique voice of the omniscient narrator in the novel. Stroud discusses her concept of the "ideal reader" and how she writes for a specific presence in her mind. The hosts also discuss the metaphor of a tractor trailer careening forward, representing the chaotic and uncertain state of the world, and how Stroud's characters navigate this challenging environment. The conversation then turns to Stroud's decision to write about interconnected characters, her writing process, and the relationship between her real-life experiences in Maine and her fictional portrayal of the state. The hosts discuss the impact of political division on Maine and how it manifests in everyday life. Finally, Stroud shares her current reading list and reveals that she is working on a new novel with a completely new character and setting. The hosts discuss Stroud's mastery of writing stories where "nothing happens" in the traditional sense, acknowledging her focus on the internal lives of her characters and the subtle nuances of their experiences.
Outlines
The Elizabeth Stroud Universe and "Tell Me Everything"
The podcast introduces the hosts and the topic of the episode: a discussion with author Elizabeth Stroud about her new novel, "Tell Me Everything." The hosts discuss the popularity of Stroud's novels, comparing them to the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to their interconnected stories and relatable characters set in the fictional town of Crosby, Maine. They then welcome Elizabeth Stroud to the podcast and begin discussing her new novel, "Tell Me Everything," exploring themes of human connection, storytelling, and the complexities of ordinary lives.
Exploring "Tell Me Everything"
The hosts delve into the murder mystery element of the novel, questioning whether it was a central theme or a secondary plot point. Stroud reveals that the murder was initially intended to be more prominent but ultimately became a smaller part of the narrative. They discuss the relationship between Bob Burgess and Lucy Barton, and Stroud explains that their shared backgrounds and their ability to listen to each other create a strong bond. The hosts explore the importance of storytelling and listening in the novel, particularly the relationship between Lucy and Olive Kittridge. Stroud explains the concept of "unrecorded lives" and how ordinary people often lead extraordinary lives.
The Unrecorded Interior Life and Beyond
Stroud discusses the idea that even in a world where everything is recorded, there are still aspects of our inner lives that remain unrecorded and unseen. She emphasizes the importance of exploring these hidden parts of ourselves in fiction. The hosts discuss the theme of acceptance and understanding in Stroud's work. Stroud emphasizes the importance of seeing and accepting people for who they are, even with their flaws and past traumas. They discuss the unique voice of the narrator in "Tell Me Everything," and Stroud explains that she chose an omniscient narrator who can see everything but also remains close to the reader, guiding them through the story.
Maine, Politics, and Future Projects
Stroud discusses her concept of the "ideal reader" and how she writes for a specific presence in her mind. The hosts discuss the metaphor of a tractor trailer careening forward, representing the chaotic and uncertain state of the world. They explore how Stroud's characters navigate this challenging environment and find moments of connection and humanity. The hosts ask Stroud about her decision to write about interconnected characters. Stroud reveals that she never intended to revisit characters but they kept appearing in her mind, leading her to continue their stories. The hosts discuss whether Stroud's decision to bring characters together was influenced by fan service. Stroud clarifies that her writing is always driven by her own imagination and the stories that exist in her head. The hosts explore the relationship between Stroud's real-life experiences in Maine and her fictional portrayal of the state. Stroud discusses how Maine has changed over time, particularly due to an influx of people and money. The hosts discuss the impact of political division on Maine and how it manifests in everyday life. Stroud observes that Mainers tend to avoid discussing politics, reflecting a broader trend of avoiding divisive topics to maintain relationships. Stroud shares her current reading list and reveals that she is working on a new novel with a completely new character and setting. She hints at the ordinary nature of the new protagonist, suggesting a continuation of her focus on the complexities of everyday life. The hosts discuss Stroud's mastery of writing stories where "nothing happens" in the traditional sense. They acknowledge that her focus is on the internal lives of her characters and the subtle nuances of their experiences.
Keywords
Elizabeth Stroud Universe
A term used to describe the interconnected stories and characters created by author Elizabeth Stroud, often set in the fictional town of Crosby, Maine.
Unrecorded Lives
A concept explored in Stroud's work, referring to the ordinary lives of people that are often overlooked or not documented, yet hold extraordinary experiences and stories.
Omniscient Narrator
A type of narrator in fiction who has access to all characters' thoughts, feelings, and actions, providing a comprehensive and objective perspective on the story.
Ideal Reader
A concept used by authors to describe the imagined audience they write for, often characterized by specific qualities such as patience, interest, and a desire for truth and meaning.
Tractor Trailer Metaphor
A metaphor used in the podcast to represent the chaotic and uncertain state of the world, with the tractor trailer careening forward, losing control, and facing challenges.
Maine's Changing Landscape
A discussion of the changes occurring in Maine, particularly due to an influx of people and money, impacting the state's demographics, housing market, and overall character.
Political Division in Small Towns
The observation that political division has become more pronounced in small towns, even in traditionally blue states like Vermont and Maine, impacting relationships and community dynamics.
Q&A
What draws Bob and Lucy together in "Tell Me Everything"?
Bob and Lucy share similar backgrounds and are both good listeners. They find a natural alliance in their shared experiences and their ability to connect through conversation.
What is an "unrecorded life" and why is it important to Stroud?
An unrecorded life is an ordinary life that is not documented or widely known, yet often holds extraordinary experiences and stories. Stroud believes that most people's lives are unrecorded and that these lives are often more interesting and meaningful than we realize.
How does Stroud's concept of the "ideal reader" influence her writing?
Stroud writes for a specific presence in her mind, an "ideal reader" who is patient, interested, and someone she wants to convey truth and meaning to. This concept helps her to focus on clarity, honesty, and avoiding unnecessary embellishment in her writing.
How does Stroud see the world and her characters navigating the challenges of our current times?
Stroud uses the metaphor of a tractor trailer careening forward to represent the chaotic and uncertain state of the world. Despite this, she believes that people are still capable of finding connection and humanity, even in difficult circumstances.
How has Maine changed over time, and how does this impact Stroud's writing?
Maine has experienced an influx of people and money, particularly since the pandemic, leading to changes in demographics, housing prices, and the overall character of the state. Stroud acknowledges these changes and how they affect the lives of her characters and the fictional world she creates.
Show Notes
On this month’s edition of Gabfest Reads, Political Gabfest host David Plotz talks with author Elizabeth Strout about her new book, Tell Me Everything. They discuss how Strout conceives of interconnected stories and characters across her work, including the return of beloved characters like Olive Kitteridge. They also dig into the importance of listening and the ways ordinary lives can be extraordinary.
Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)
Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.
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