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In this week’s episode of WV, nonbinary journalist and author Nico Lang takes us inside the lives of trans and nonbinary youth across America. Their book is AMERICAN TEENAGER: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate And Finding Joy In A Turbulent Era.
“These kids are just trying to live their lives, but they’re forced to fight politically motivated hatred at every turn.” –Nico Lang
Then, we talk with National Book Award winner Lily Tuck about her new novel, The Rest Is Memory. Inspired by real events, the novel follows the life of a young Polish girl whose ordinary life is shattered by the horrors of Auschwitz.
Finally, we share with you a wonderful poem by Marie Howe to start the New Year. The video of the poem “Singularity” is at The Marginalian.org
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Key Words: Nico Lang, American Teenager book, trans youth, nonbinary, gender-affirming care, anti-trans legislation, Lily Tuck, The Rest is Memory, Auschwitz novel, Holocaust fiction
Nico Lang
journalist and author Nico Lang takes us inside the lives of trans and nonbinary youth across America.
Through intimate storytelling, Lang reveals the unique challenges and joys of these young individuals, from navigating anti-trans legislation to finding community and support. With unflinching honesty, they explore themes of identity, activism, and the human desire for belonging, painting a vivid portrait of resilience in the face of systemic adversity.
Key Topics:
- The inspiration behind American Teenager and Lang’s storytelling philosophy
- The diversity of trans and nonbinary experiences: individuality over stereotypes
- The impact of anti-trans legislation on youth and families
- Stories of resilience: finding community, faith, and hope
- The intersection of race, identity, and queerness in conservative regions
- Challenges of accessing gender-affirming care and the political weaponization of trans rights
Read an Excerpt from American Teenager
Read article by Nico Lang on What Trump Can/Can’t Do About Trans Rights
Lily Tuck
Acclaimed novelist Lily Tuck joins us to talk about her latest work, The Rest is Memory. The novel, inspired by real events, follows the life of a young Polish girl, Czesława, whose ordinary life is shattered by the horrors of Auschwitz.
Tuck weaves history with fiction, exploring themes of displacement, resilience, and the brutality of war from multiple perspectives. With a narrative style that moves fluidly between past and present, the book reflects on the fragility of normalcy and the enduring power of memory.
Key Topics:
- The inspiration behind The Rest is Memory, including the role of Wilhelm Brasse’s photographs
- The life of Czesława as a reflection of resilience and innocence lost
- The intersection of historical research and creative writing in Holocaust narratives
- Tuck’s narrative style: anecdotal writing and fluid time shifts
- Themes of violence, memory, and trauma in historical and contemporary contexts
- Reflections on the title and its connection to Louise Glück’s poem “Nostos”