Thank you for bringing us to this book and this writer. You’re so right about interviews with fiction authors — and yes, this one is absolutely immersive. I cannot wait to read Hanna’s work!
End of Drum Time is a beautiful book. I listened to the audiobook, and it captivated me far more than I thought 1850s Scandinavia could. Thank you for the recommendation!
This was one of the best reads about religion, culture and writing I’ve experienced in quite a while. So much there, so many layers and so much humility. I’ve ordered the book and the only thing that saddens me is the one person I would love to share it with — my sister, once a great reader — is now a member of a small sect of the Dutch Reformed Church. She will never read it, never become a part of a different story even for a short while. She will never see the flaws (even the endearing ones), of an omniscient narrator.
This is the interview I've been waiting for. From the moment I read (and loved) this book, I had so many questions about the author, what drew her to this time and place, her connection to the characters and cultures, etc., etc.
As with so many books that I find via Culture Study, this book became an instant favorite for the year - it transported me completely during a stressful time and immersed me in a world about which I knew nothing. This interview was such a treat and made me want a re-read, even though I only finished the book a few weeks ago. THANK YOU for sharing even more about this world with us! And thank you Hanna for this incredible book.
Great interview with lots to think on about narration....
Years ago, I asked my students to describe what they believed a 3rd person narrator looked like in a given book. It was this great rangey conversation. Then I asked them to describe what their 3rd person omniscient narrator would like if their lives were books. My students, all kids of color, described their omniscient narrator as white men which broke my heart.
I heard this author speak on a panel of National Book Award finalists at the Tucson Festival of books. She told a story that she said is not in the book, about how she realized everything she thought she knew about reindeer herders was wrong, and that reminded her to focus on the people and what they saw. It was very powerful, both in the details and how she shared it— basically, she truly lives these values and this thoughtful, observant stance of humility and willingness to be wrong. I need more of this in my life and will definitely order this book.
This was SUCH a good interview, thank you. Like others, I read this book on your recommendation and am still thinking about it; this piece added a whole new layer of depth and it makes me want to go back and read it again with this context.
Thank you for this brilliant interview! Really looking forward to reading the book. The description of the approach to narration made me think of Amitav Ghosh's work - particularly the Glass Palace and the Sea of Poppies trilogy - and how he uses omniscience and different character perspectives to trouble colonial narratives.
I was recently lucky to see an incredible exhibition by Sámi artist Outi Pieski - I'd encourage people to check out her work if you can!
Based on this interview, I immediately ordered the book for a friend and checked it out of the library for myself. The End of Drum-Time turned out to be one of those books that had me melancholy for days after I finished it, and So anxious while I was reading it. Everything felt so, not predictable, but more like inevitable. BUT it was a really interesting experience to read such a totally engrossing novel after having read this interview; on the one hand it felt like it allowed a certain kind of distance, as a reader. But the story and the prose were so, so compelling that it still had that same effect as reading a novel did as a kid --that all-consuming, total transportation into the story.
Thank you for bringing us to this book and this writer. You’re so right about interviews with fiction authors — and yes, this one is absolutely immersive. I cannot wait to read Hanna’s work!
As promised, transportative! Thank you for bringing me along, looking forward to reading the book.
Wow. This author is clearly amazing. What incredible honest, fascinating, nuanced communication
Just pre-ordered so this can be a surprise gift to myself in the future! Loved the thoughtfulness of this interview, can't wait to read this book.
I read this book on your recommendation and it gutted me. So so good!
End of Drum Time is a beautiful book. I listened to the audiobook, and it captivated me far more than I thought 1850s Scandinavia could. Thank you for the recommendation!
This was one of the best reads about religion, culture and writing I’ve experienced in quite a while. So much there, so many layers and so much humility. I’ve ordered the book and the only thing that saddens me is the one person I would love to share it with — my sister, once a great reader — is now a member of a small sect of the Dutch Reformed Church. She will never read it, never become a part of a different story even for a short while. She will never see the flaws (even the endearing ones), of an omniscient narrator.
This is the interview I've been waiting for. From the moment I read (and loved) this book, I had so many questions about the author, what drew her to this time and place, her connection to the characters and cultures, etc., etc.
As with so many books that I find via Culture Study, this book became an instant favorite for the year - it transported me completely during a stressful time and immersed me in a world about which I knew nothing. This interview was such a treat and made me want a re-read, even though I only finished the book a few weeks ago. THANK YOU for sharing even more about this world with us! And thank you Hanna for this incredible book.
Whoa. Can’t wait to read this book!
Great interview with lots to think on about narration....
Years ago, I asked my students to describe what they believed a 3rd person narrator looked like in a given book. It was this great rangey conversation. Then I asked them to describe what their 3rd person omniscient narrator would like if their lives were books. My students, all kids of color, described their omniscient narrator as white men which broke my heart.
I relate so much to that last paragraph. Whew.
I heard this author speak on a panel of National Book Award finalists at the Tucson Festival of books. She told a story that she said is not in the book, about how she realized everything she thought she knew about reindeer herders was wrong, and that reminded her to focus on the people and what they saw. It was very powerful, both in the details and how she shared it— basically, she truly lives these values and this thoughtful, observant stance of humility and willingness to be wrong. I need more of this in my life and will definitely order this book.
This was SUCH a good interview, thank you. Like others, I read this book on your recommendation and am still thinking about it; this piece added a whole new layer of depth and it makes me want to go back and read it again with this context.
Thank you for this brilliant interview! Really looking forward to reading the book. The description of the approach to narration made me think of Amitav Ghosh's work - particularly the Glass Palace and the Sea of Poppies trilogy - and how he uses omniscience and different character perspectives to trouble colonial narratives.
I was recently lucky to see an incredible exhibition by Sámi artist Outi Pieski - I'd encourage people to check out her work if you can!
Based on this interview, I immediately ordered the book for a friend and checked it out of the library for myself. The End of Drum-Time turned out to be one of those books that had me melancholy for days after I finished it, and So anxious while I was reading it. Everything felt so, not predictable, but more like inevitable. BUT it was a really interesting experience to read such a totally engrossing novel after having read this interview; on the one hand it felt like it allowed a certain kind of distance, as a reader. But the story and the prose were so, so compelling that it still had that same effect as reading a novel did as a kid --that all-consuming, total transportation into the story.