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We speak with Chetna Maroo about her debut novel, Western Lane. It’s a beautifully written coming of age story about a young girl and her British Indian family who are trying to come to terms with the recent death of the family matriarch.
Then, for Black History Month, we hear my 2008 interview with Ta-Nahisi Coates about his first book, The Beautiful Struggle: Between the World and Me.
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Chetna Maroo
Introduction:
In this episode, we sit down with Chetna Maroo, the author of Western Lane, a moving and beautifully written novel that explores the complexities of grief, sisterhood, and becoming an athlete. Maroo’s debut novel offers a powerful and intimate look into the life of a young girl and her British Indian family as they navigate the recent loss of their matriarch and find ways to heal and move forward.
Interview Segment:
During our conversation, Maroo shares her inspiration for the novel and her creative process, discussing the themes of sisterhood, family, and recovery from loss. We dive into the characters and their development, from the 11-year-old protagonist Gopi to her older sisters and father, exploring how each character’s unique experiences and perspectives shape the narrative.
We also discuss the role of sports in the novel, particularly squash, and how it serves as a means for Gopi to find her own strength and capacity for renewal. Maroo shares her own personal experiences with the sport and how it helped her shape the character of Gopi.
Conclusion:
“Western Lane” is a powerful and deeply moving novel that offers a unique and poignant perspective on the journey of grief, sisterhood, and personal growth. We hope this episode inspires listeners to read and explore Maroo’s evocative prose and the themes of the novel, from tradition and culture to identity and personal growth. Join us to learn more about this remarkable debut novel and the talented author behind it.
Chetna Maroo’s stories have appeared in anthologies and literary magazines. She won the 2022 Plimpton Prize for Fiction.
Ta-Nehisi Coates Reflects on His Memoir “The Beautiful Struggle” (for Black History Month)
Ta Nahisi Coates on “respect”:
On the news, you know, whenever you hear about people talking about Black youth and their “respect killings” — you know, somebody got shot over respect — people look at these folks like they’re crazy. In fact, respect is what people lean on when they have nothing else. It’s just true of everyone. Now, I’m not defending that, obviously. But if you feel like you have nothing else to live with, that’s all you got when your back is to the wall.
Introduction:
In honor of Black History Month, we re-air our 2008 interview with award-winning author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates to discuss his memoir The Beautiful Struggle. Coates’ powerful and poignant work delves into his experiences growing up in Baltimore during the 1980s and 1990s, and the impact of his father’s activism and teachings on his own journey towards self-discovery.
Interview Segment:
During our conversation, Coates shares his inspiration for the memoir and his creative process, discussing the themes of race, family, and personal growth that shape the narrative. We delve into the characters, particularly his father and their complex relationship, exploring how their experiences and perspectives helped shape Coates’ worldview.
Conclusion:
“The Beautiful Struggle” is a powerful and deeply personal memoir that offers a unique and poignant perspective on race, family, and personal growth. We hope this episode inspires listeners to read and explore Coates’ thought-provoking work and the themes of the memoir. Join us to learn more about this remarkable author and his impact on the ongoing struggle for racial justice.