There were years when I was fortunate enough to see Lidia Yuknavitch’s writing in process, weekly. I heard the author herself read her words—and is there anything better than an author’s literary “voice,” on the page, read out loud in their own…actual voice? It was an honor and a blast, and always surprising.
One quick side note: I would generally use the author’s first and last name, or the author’s last name only. I caution my freshman and other students against referring to women, in particular, by their first name only, because of the long cultural history of equating women with children and the way patriarchy is handed down through a lineage of last names on the father’s side…you know the story. We live in it, even as some currents shift. In this case, I know Lidia well enough. We’re friends in real life, so I am using her first name, legitimately, not to make her childlike—shudder to think—but because I know her, and adore her. It is as I would do with any author/friend. I gave it thought.
If you’re not up on her work, Lidia is the author of the award-winning, knockout memoir—or anti-memoir, as she calls it—The Chronology of Water, along with a stack of novels, essays and stories. The option to develop The Chronology of Water for film has been held by the actress and upcoming director Kristen Stewart, for a bit now. Damn. I can’t wait to see what Stewart does with it. Kristen Stewart has said, of Lidia:
“She’s in my blood…and I knew that before I met her. As soon as I met her it was like we started this race without any sense of competition…My only goal is just to finish the screenplay and hire a really spectacular actor: I’m going to write the best fucking female role. I’m going to write a role that I want so badly but that I’m not going to play.”
Exciting, yes?
Lidia also has other books, novels and nonfiction, including The Misfit’s Manifesto, honoring and inspiring many.
You can find her TED Talk here: “The Beauty of Being a Misfit.”
Aaaaand…now she has THRUST, a new novel coming out this June, 2022. The cover is beautiful. The title is pushing the boundaries, in all the best ways.
I checked in with her recently, caught up on her work. Here’s a mini-interview, a few thoughts and a preview of what is to come. The book isn’t out yet, but I believe it is available for pre-order…
xo
MD: Lidia! Congratulations on the new work! Very cool! What’s it about?
LY: I'm always a little reticent about the "about" question, since I suspect I write novels to NOT know what something is about, rather to hold open interesting questions, for better or worse, but I will say this much: the story revolves around the nexus of capitalism, language, identity and desire. Which usually makes people yawn when I say it, so there's also this: There is a story about a girl who can breathe underwater, a boy accused of violence, the sculptor of a national monument, a sexual entrepreneur, and several very mouthy animals.
MD: The title is incredible. THRUST. Why does that feel like such a transgressive word? I love how it walks a line...it's daring. What is going on with that title, and how does it speak to the novel? You don't have to give anything away, but it's too awesome to let it go by without asking.
LY: THANK YOU! Not giving anything away! Ha...But here's a map for a treasure hunt: Follow the apple. The pelvic cradle. The outstretched arm and hand. Words that move across time and water.
MD: You've written a few works which re-imagine the lives of women, Joan of Arc and Dora, of Freud's famous case study, to name a few. Is this book in that lineage, or a new direction?
LY: Yes and no both. Yes in terms of a seed or jumping off point, new direction in a thousand different ways. Terrifying.
MD: I can't wait to read it! What other exciting work have you come across lately? Reading anything good?
LY: Always. Literature and Art (music, dance, sculpture, painting, poetry, you name it) are where my hope lives, if I have any. Just read a great new novel by Eloghosa Osunde, Vagabonds! Ocean Vyong's Time Is a Mother. Janice Lee's Imagine a Death. Sasha LaPoint's Red Paint. Melissa Febos' Body Work. Your next book (already drooling).
MD: Tell us about your writing center, Corporeal Writing. I know you've been holding workshops and classes online, through the pandemic. Are you anticipating moving back into the classroom space, soon?
LY: Oh heart somersaults! We had our first in-the-flesh, limited edition, vaxed and masked creative lab two weekends ago. Lots of crying. No one could hear each other the the muffle of masks but we pretended that we could. Very bumbly, but EARNEST! ha...Hoping to yes, roll forward in the slowest, most careful and loving way. To be honest I can't believe we're still alive, but we're grateful and honored and humbled to keep making art and opening the doors for others for as long as we can. Adaptation is everything.
MD: Thank you so much for talking! I want to see this book do well!
Cheers, to writers, readers, deep thinkers and love.
xo
Great interview! already pre-ordered Thrust. And the cover. Wowza