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Colson Whitehead Links 'Cool Machine' to Literary Masters
30 Aug
Summary
- Colson Whitehead's new novel 'Cool Machine' connects to three books.
- The novel is the final installment in his Harlem Trilogy.
- Influences include works by Burroughs, Marquez, and Stark.
Colson Whitehead, celebrated author and two-time Pulitzer Prize recipient, recently shared insights into his novel, 'Cool Machine.' Speaking with Take Four Books and host James Crawford, Whitehead delved into the literary inspirations behind his latest work.
'Cool Machine' is presented as the concluding chapter of Whitehead's Harlem Trilogy. The novel vividly portrays the essence of 1980s New York City, centering on Ray Carney, a character who navigates a dual life as a furniture business owner and an underground entrepreneur.
During the discussion, Whitehead highlighted three specific literary works that influenced 'Cool Machine.' These include William Burroughs' 1953 novel 'Junky,' Gabriel Garcia Marquez's iconic 1967 novel 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' and Richard Stark's 1962 thriller 'The Hunter.' The episode was recorded at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
