DeepSummary
The episode begins with a humorous discussion about the hosts, Mike Ingram and Tom McAllister, considering adopting a child solely for the purpose of their podcast. Their guest, acclaimed writer Peter Ho Davies, suggests they adopt a literary orphan from a book and critique the parenting within it.
Davies introduces the concept of the "parent plot," which he sees as a contemporary successor to the traditional marriage plot in novels. He argues that for many people today, the decision of whether to have children has become a pivotal choice and marker of reaching adulthood, much like marriage was in earlier eras.
The discussion then focuses on Ben Lerner's novel 10:04, which Davies chose for exploring the parent plot theme. The novel's protagonist grapples with the choice of whether to father a child with his platonic friend. The novel's experimental style, mixing fiction and autobiography, as well as its exploration of art, mortality, and climate change, are also analyzed.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The "parent plot" is an emerging literary trope reflecting how the choice of whether to have children has become a major marker of reaching adulthood in contemporary society.
- Ben Lerner's novel 10:04 explores the "parent plot" through its protagonist's decision about whether to father a child with his platonic friend.
- The novel blends fiction and autobiography in an experimental, self-aware style that pushes boundaries.
- Themes like art, mortality, climate change, and the nature of adulthood versus childhood are central to the novel.
- The novel undercuts traditional romantic conventions and tropes to focus on non-romantic types of profound relationships and choices.
- Both humorous and thought-provoking, the novel prompts readers to confront major philosophical and ethical questions about procreation.
- As an academic text, the novel provokes engaging discussions about literature's purpose, longevity, and cultural significance.
- The malleability of the "parent plot" concept allows for analysis of diverse texts beyond traditional marriage plot narratives.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “It's funny. It is one that I think about in terms of the parent plot. There's a. I mean, there's lots going on in this book and, you know, it's a fun book to talk about, but there is a strand of choice, right? The protagonist is asked by a friend, a platonic friend, will you be a sperm donor? Essentially, will you be a father with me?“ by Peter Ho Davies
- “But there's a little flip there of adulthood and childhood being played out in those territories, I suspect.“ by Peter Ho Davies
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Episode Information
Book Fight
Mike Ingram and Tom McAllister
5/27/24
Our "marriage plot" season continues, but with a twist: on this episode, novelist Peter Ho Davies introduces us to "the parent plot," which he argues is a contemporary successor to all those 19th-century novels about choosing a mate. For many, becoming a parent is not only one of life's biggest choices, but also a cultural marker of adult responsibility and growing up. As an example, we dive into Ben Lerner's 2014 novel, 10:04, about a writer trying to finish his next book and also decide whether to father a child with his platonic best friend.
To learn more about Davies, and his many wonderful, widely-celebrated books, you can visit his website: http://peterhodavies.com/
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Thanks for listening!