Sheryl Cannady from the Library of Congress speaks with Russell Banks, who appeared at the 2011 National Book Festival on September 24, 2011, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Biography

The author of more than a dozen works of fiction, Russell Banks’ newest novel is “Lost Memory of Skin” (Ecco). His work has been translated into more than 20 languages, and two of his novels have been adapted into award-winning films: “The Sweet Hereafter” and “Affliction.” His novel “Cloudsplitter” depicts the fictionalized journey of abolitionist John Brown. Banks has written poems, essays and stories for The Boston Globe, The New York Times Book Review and Harper’s, among other publications. His novel “The Darling” will be directed by Martin Scorsese and star Cate Blanchett.