The Book Review Louise Erdrich on Her New Story Collection and the Mystery of Writing
Mar 13, 2026
Louise Erdrich, acclaimed Native American writer and Pulitzer winner, discusses her new story collection Python's Kiss. She talks about how stories arrive mysteriously, the difference between story and novel, and how growing up near ICBMs and watching Planet of the Apes shaped her imagination. She also shares favorite influences and the books she returns to.
34:17
How A Piece Determines Its Form
- Writing reveals its own form; Louise Erdrich says stories, novels or poems announce themselves by how persistently they continue.
- If a piece keeps going beyond a short arc it becomes a novel; if it resolves within 15–20 pages it becomes a story, she explained with examples from her process.
Planet Of The Apes Sparked Lifelong Notebooks
- Louise Erdrich began keeping diaries in fifth grade after being overwhelmed by Planet of the Apes and nuclear fears in North Dakota.
- Growing up near hundreds of ICBM silos made the movie ending feel urgent and shaped recurring themes in her work decades later.
Writing Feels Like A Partly Separate Mystery
- Creation often surprises the creator; Erdrich says parts of a story can feel as if they wrote themselves and even make her tear up.
- She embraces that mystery and resists total control, calling the source of art a place separate from her conscious will.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
How Erdrich Develops Short Stories
01:15 • 2min
Recognizing Form: Story versus Novel
02:52 • 2min
Writing as Personal Processing
05:06 • 2min
Planet of the Apes and Nuclear Anxiety
07:12 • 2min
Short-Story Influences: Chekhov to Groff
09:26 • 5min
Ad break
14:42 • 1min
Genre and Speculative Elements
16:05 • 1min
Writing Habits Seen by Family
17:21 • 2min
Her Father's Letters and Family Archives
19:00 • 2min
Night Watchman and Letting a Book Be Simple
21:07 • 2min
Owning a Bookstore Changed Her View
22:50 • 2min
Native Authors to Read
24:46 • 2min
Ad break
26:35 • 2min
By the Book: What She Recommends
28:26 • 2min
Books She Returns To
30:22 • 2min
Recent Books That Moved Her
32:50 • 54sec
Evolving Reading Standards
33:45 • 1min
Unexpected Shelf Finds
35:05 • 2min
Outro
36:59 • 17sec
#34019
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Love Medicine
Louise Erdrich
'Love Medicine' is a novel by Louise Erdrich that explores the interconnected lives of several Native American families living on a reservation in North Dakota.
The novel is structured as a series of interwoven stories, each narrated from a different character's perspective.
Through these voices, Erdrich examines themes of love, loss, identity, and the enduring power of family and community.
The novel is celebrated for its lyrical prose, its vivid characters, and its sensitive portrayal of Native American culture and experiences.
It also explores the impact of historical trauma and cultural assimilation on individuals and communities.
#68369
Make the Golf Course a Public Sex Forest
Jimmy Cooper
Lyn Corelle
#38696
Save Me, Stranger
Erika Krouse
Erika Krouse's 'Save Me, Stranger' is a short-story collection that showcases her strengths in traditional narrative craft, psychological insight, and precise prose.
The stories often focus on intimate human dilemmas and moral ambiguities, delivered with restraint and clarity.
Readers and critics have praised the collection for its surprising emotional payoffs and well-constructed forms.
Louise Erdrich cites the book as an example of story collections that 'blow you away' with traditional yet compelling storytelling.
Krouse's work is notable for compressing complex affect into tightly controlled narratives that linger with the reader.
#7242
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Austerlitz
The Story of a Battle
Claude Manceron
This book by Claude Manceron provides a lively and detailed account of Napoleon's 1805 campaign, with a particular emphasis on the Battle of Austerlitz.
It is a historical narrative that brings to life the events leading up to and including the battle, which was a significant victory for Napoleon and solidified his claim to the title of Emperor.
The book is translated by George Unwin and offers a comprehensive look at one of the most pivotal battles in Napoleonic history.
#24269
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Bar Brawler
David Lee Abbott
#84690
The Heart of the Deal
Anthony Lolli
Anthony Lolli's book combines autobiographical elements with actionable real estate investment advice, detailing his journey from Brooklyn college dropout to millionaire real estate mogul.
It offers insights into identifying under-served markets, negotiation tactics, and building a successful brokerage, emphasizing hands-on strategies for property investment and franchise development.
#7308
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
The Night Watch
Al Pasha
#32292
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Planet of the Apes
Pierre Boulle
Pierre Boulle's "Planet of the Apes" is a science fiction novel that explores themes of societal structures, power dynamics, and the human condition.
The story follows an astronaut who crash-lands on a planet ruled by intelligent apes, where humans are treated as primitive beings.
Boulle's work uses this inverted world to critique human behavior and societal norms.
The novel's exploration of humanity's place in the universe and its potential for both progress and destruction remains relevant today.
Its enduring legacy is evident in its numerous film adaptations.
#14085
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Winter in the Blood
James. Welch
James Welch's "Winter in the Blood" is a powerful and moving novel that explores the life of a Native American man struggling with identity, addiction, and the legacy of colonialism.
Welch's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose and unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities of life on a reservation.
The novel explores themes of family, community, and the search for meaning in a world marked by loss and trauma.
Welch's use of imagery and symbolism creates a rich and evocative atmosphere.
"Winter in the Blood" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of storytelling.
#28572
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Python's Kiss
Louise Erdrich
Louise Erdrich's 'Python's Kiss' is a collection of short stories published after a long career of novels and other works; the pieces were written over approximately two decades.
The book includes stories that range in tone and genre, including ghostly tales and speculative or near-future pieces, reflecting Erdrich's interest in the boundaries between the ordinary and the uncanny.
Many stories arose from fragments and notebooks, sometimes taking years to complete, and showcase her characteristic focus on family, memory, Indigenous life, and moral complexity.
The collection demonstrates Erdrich's patience with form and her willingness to let stories evolve outside strict authorial control.
It adds to her body of work that often blends lyrical prose with attention to cultural and historical specificity.
#32267
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Whistler
Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett's 'Whistler' (referred to in the interview as an upcoming book) appears to be a novel that captivated advanced readers with its emotional depth and craftsmanship.
Patchett, known for clear prose and complex moral portrayals, often writes about intimate personal relationships and ethical dilemmas, and this work continues that pattern.
Louise Erdrich reports being moved to tears by the book's ending, signaling its emotional resonance.
Patchett's reputation and narrative strengths suggest the novel blends keen observation with poignant character work.
As with much of Patchett's fiction, readers can expect elegant storytelling and a focus on human connection.
#6025
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
The rings of Saturn
W. G. Sebald
#1604
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
The Bluest Eye
Toni Morrison
Set in Lorain, Ohio, during the Great Depression, 'The Bluest Eye' tells the story of Pecola Breedlove, an eleven-year-old African American girl who desperately wants blue eyes, believing they will make her more beautiful and accepted according to white cultural standards.
The novel explores themes of race, class, and beauty standards, highlighting the destructive impact of internalized racism and societal pressures on Pecola and her family.
Through a non-linear narrative and shifting perspectives, Morrison critiques the systemic racism and social stratification that contribute to Pecola's tragic downfall.
#7788
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
The round house
Louise Erdrich
The Round House by Louise Erdrich is a powerful novel that explores themes of identity, family, and justice.
Set on an Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota, it follows Joe Coutts, a 13-year-old boy, as he navigates the aftermath of his mother's brutal attack.
The novel delves into the complexities of tribal law and the challenges faced by Native American communities in seeking justice.
It is part of Erdrich's 'justice trilogy', which includes 'The Plague of Doves' and 'LaRose'.
#9739
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Pillow Book
Sei Shōnagon
The Pillow Book, or 'Makura no Sōshi', is a personal and informal journal written by Sei Shōnagon during the 990s and early 1000s.
It contains a wide range of entries including lists, nature descriptions, diary entries, character sketches, and anecdotes.
The book provides a detailed and vivid picture of life in the Heian court, showcasing Shōnagon's wit, poetic skill, and keen observation of detail.
It is considered a significant historical document and a landmark in Japanese literature, influencing the genre of 'zuihitsu' or 'assorted writings'.
The text is written primarily in Japanese hiragana and offers insights into the daily life, ceremonies, and social dynamics of the Heian period.
Since the publication of her first novel, “Love Medicine,” in 1984, Louise Erdrich has written fiction, nonfiction, poetry and children’s books. Her work has earned multiple awards, including the National Book Award (“The Round House”) and the Pulitzer Prize (“The Night Watchman”).
On this week’s episode, Erdrich talks with Gilbert Cruz, the editor of The New York Times Book Review, about her new short story collection, “Python’s Kiss.” She reflects on some of the formative experiences that shaped her as a writer, including watching “Planet of the Apes” and growing up in North Dakota, a state that housed hundreds of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
She says that writing has been her “only real way of processing” her experiences and that her creative process is full of mystery.
“There’s really no way to control everything that happens in a piece of art. Some of these stories — I wasn’t sure that I had written it,” she said, adding: “And yet, obviously, it was in my handwriting.”
Plus, Erdrich recommends the one book that always puts her to sleep.
Books discussed on this episode:
“Animal Farm,” by George Orwell
“Brawler,” by Lauren Groff
“Winter in the Blood,” by James Welch
“The Pillow Book,” by Sei Shōnagon
“The Death of the Heart,” by Elizabeth Bowen
“Save Me, Stranger,” by Erika Krouse
“The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison
“Austerlitz,” by W.G. Sebald
“The Rings of Saturn,” by W.G. Sebald
“Whistler,” by Ann Patchett
“Make the Golf Course a Public Sex Forest,” published by Maitland Systems Engineering
Illustration by The New York Times; Photo: Jenn Ackerman for The New York Times
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