If truth is often stranger than fiction, how do these two internationally acclaimed writers play within both genres in their work? How does their fascination with science impact their prose—and how does their imagined storytelling influence their methods when talking about our magnificent natural world? Pulitzer-winner Richard Powers has taken inspiration from the natural world and science throughout his career; Playground, a story of AI, marine biology, and morality, is no different. Award winner James Bradley has astounded readers in many genres, but his latest work, Deep Water, is a lyrical probe into our effects on the ocean. In a rigorous, creative conversation with Claudia Casper, they discuss the wonder in all that’s nature-made and human-made—and the intersection between.
This event is open to everyone, and has been curated with the Pro-D day for teachers in mind. Teachers may be interested in the following information. This event is also suitable for students in grades 10–12.
Themes: Pro-D, science fiction, nature, climate change
Curriculum Connections: Creative Writing 10–12, Literary Studies 10-12, Environmental Science 11-12
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JAMES BRADLEY is a writer and critic. His books include the novels Wrack, The Deep Field, The Resurrectionist, Clade, and Ghost Species; a book of poetry, Paper Nautilus; and The Penguin Book of the Ocean. Alongside his books, James has an established career as an essayist and reviewer, whose work has appeared in many publications, including The Guardian, The Monthly, Sydney Review of Books, Times Literary Supplement, Meanjin, and Griffith Review. His fiction has won or been shortlisted for a wide range of Australian and international literary awards, and his essays and articles have been shortlisted twice for the Bragg Prize for Science Writing and nominated for a Walkley Award. In 2012, he won the Pascall Award for Australia’s Critic of the Year. He is currently an Honorary Associate at the Sydney Environment Centre at the University of Sydney.
CLAUDIA CASPER's latest novel was the Philip K. Dick Award–winning The Mercy Journals. She is co-writing a screenplay adaptation of her first novel, The Reconstruction with Amy Lee Lavoie and producers Jacqueline Farmer and Christine Haebler. Most recently, she reviewed renowned sociobiologist, Sarah Blaffer Hrdy’s new book, Father Time for the LA Review of Books.
RICHARD POWERS is the bestselling author of Bewilderment, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize; The Overstory, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction and the William Dean Howells Medal, and a finalist for the Booker Prize; and The Echo Maker, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction. Powers is also the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and the Pushcart Prize, among other accolades. He lives in Tennessee.
