A conversation with novelist Jonathan Safran Foer

with Jonathan Safran Foer
in Books
on Friday, May 24, 2002 * * * * *

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A conversation with novelist Jonathan Safran Foer about his book "Everything is Illuminated", the story of a young Jewish man who travels to the Ukraine to discover his family's past.

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    1. X  03/14/2008 05:46 AM Report

      "Greatest writer of his generation," somebody said. I thought the part about the talking anuses was rather tasteless. "Greatest writer of his generation." Is that a compliment or an insult? I jest. I concede he's an artist. He makes up for what life is missing. He gives tangibility to love, so you have something to latch onto when all is forsaken. He comes from a loving family. I can't say as much for myself. Maybe that's why I'm jealous. What do people need? I would say, a reason to live, a claim to evolution. Drawing lessons from him, love is necessary, but if I don't have love at my disposal, what else is there? Love is only number three on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. If you don't have a loving family like he does, you can still recognize yourself in humanity as an entity. You don't need to go, "food, shelter, love, self-esteem, self-actualization." You can just go straight from food and shelter to self-actualization, because it implies the other two, although in an abstract sense. But what are characters but abstractions of people? They can replace real people if your life is empty. If you're a fiction writer, you can be the loneliest person in the world without fear. You can attain "greatness" without anybody's help. This is the antithesis of Jonathan's message, but it's the only way out for me. So now Time is my only enemy. That simplifies everything.

    2. maggy  09/30/2007 11:44 PM Report

      Thank you very much.

    3. lorraine white  05/11/2007 01:37 PM Report

      Your new website heightens my enjoyment &

      comprehension, understanding --today's archive

      Jonathon Foer remarkable in clarity, depth,

      connection. Thanks!

    4. Steve  04/25/2007 12:46 PM Report

      Amazing interview...amazing writer...thanks charlie!