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Valeria Luiselli's New Novel: A Sicilian Journey
23 Aug
Summary
- Novel follows a mother and daughter on a Sicilian quest.
- Themes include family history and the nature of stories.
- Influences range from ancient Rome to modern poetry.
Mexican American author Valeria Luiselli discusses her newest novel, Beginning Middle End. The book follows a mother and her twelve-year-old daughter as they traverse a Sicily ravaged by wildfires. Their journey is one of discovery, seeking out family history, archaeological insights, and the fundamental workings of narrative itself.
Luiselli's creative process for Beginning Middle End was shaped by three significant literary influences: Pliny the Elder's "Natural History" from the 1st century AD, Alice Oswald's 2002 work "Dart," and Empedocles' "On Nature," dating back to approximately 450 BC.
The novel also weaves in the mother's ongoing connection with her own mother in Mexico, who may be showing early signs of dementia. An audio excerpt from the audiobook of Beginning Middle End was featured.
