Front Row

Author Siri Hustvedt on her memoir, Ghost Stories

May 6, 2026
Siri Hustvedt, acclaimed novelist and essayist, reflects on writing Ghost Stories and grieving Paul Auster. Ksenia Malekh, co-curator of the Ukrainian pavilion, explains the origami deer and wartime evacuation context. Nicola McCartney and Maggie Norris discuss theatre projects amplifying care-experienced voices. Rob McNeacail, Gaelic psalm singer, explores the tradition and performs the Stornoway tune live.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Confronting Daniel's Story Rather Than Erasing It

  • Hustvedt refused to omit the painful story of Paul Auster's son Daniel from the memoir, saying Paul wanted it told honestly.
  • She recovered a comic from Daniel's childhood that humanised him against lurid media speculation.
INSIGHT

Separating The Public Author From The Private Husband

  • Hustvedt distinguishes the mythic public 'Paul Auster' from the intimate husband who was humorous and a 'bon vivant'.
  • She intentionally counters the grave literary persona by revealing private domestic warmth and comedy.
INSIGHT

Origami Deer As Metaphor For Displacement

  • The Ukrainian pavilion's Origami Deer by Zhanna Kadyrova symbolises displacement after the Donbass park was destroyed and the deer lost its pedestal.
  • Ksenia Malekh frames the hanging deer in Venice as a simple metaphor for Ukrainians who lost homes and now live across Europe and the US.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app