228. Karen Russel on New Novel 'The Antidote'

Karen Russell's “The Antidote” follows five characters whose
fates become entangled after a storm ravages their fictional
small town of Uz, Nebraska. Together, the group of outcasts join
forces to reveal the town’s secrets and show the importance of
remembering and acknowledging injustices to create a better
future.


Russell has received MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellowships and was
a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for her debut novel
“Swamplandia.” She has taught literature and creative writing at
the Iowa Writers' Workshop, the University of California-Irvine,
Williams College, Columbia University, and Bryn Mawr College, and
was the Endowed Chair of Texas State's MFA program. She serves on
the board of Street Books, a mobile-library for people living
outdoors. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she now lives in
Portland, Oregon with her husband, son and daughter.


“The Antidote” is Russell's second novel. She will be at The
Bookworm at 6 p.m. on April 3 in conversation with Broc Anderson
of the Nebraska State Historical Society.


Russell and Michael Griffin discuss the role of intellect and
imagination in writing, the natural world’s influence on the
artistic process and the symbiotic relationship between the
author and reader.