Today's episode is with Preti Taneja, award-winning author of debut novel WE THAT ARE YOUNG and her current release, AFTERMATH. This book contends with the pain of unspeakable loss set against public tragedy, as Preti draws on history, memory, and powerful poetic predecessors to reckon with the systemic nature of atrocity. She cites political; historical and social context as well as writings from other respected authors in order to build this world for us. AFTERMATH has been described by Max Porter as a "major landmark in British narrative non-fiction. It is fearless in the way it shows its agonised workings as it unfolds into a complex map of grief".
Preti and I dive into how she lost her trust in language in the depths of trauma and terror as well as the critical response the book has had from mainstream media in comparison to the often unbiased and supportive grassroots publications and organisations. We talk about the blurring of form and structure and the ability for Preti to convey all she did through her feminist use of citation and contextual references.
Preti is a lover of language, you can see this in the way she speaks through her experiences and appreciation for storytelling. AFTERMATH was surely not an easy book to write but also not an easy one to speak about so I am grateful for all that I was able to journey through with Preti during our frank and honest conversation together.
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Podcast Artwork: Coline Tinevez
Sound Design: Jane Arnison
RELATED LINKS:
AFTERMATH, Preti Taneja
UNDELIVERED LECTURES, Transit Books
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