Podcasts > NPR's Book of the Day > Madeleine Thien's new novel 'The Book of Records' is a story that traverses centuries

Madeleine Thien's new novel 'The Book of Records' is a story that traverses centuries

By NPR (podcasts@npr.org)

In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, author Madeleine Thien discusses her novel about a seven-year-old girl and her father seeking refuge in a sanctuary where different eras and lives intersect. The story centers on three foundational texts by Hannah Arendt, Baruch Spinoza, and Du Fu that the father chooses to share with his daughter during their journey.

The summary explores how these three historical thinkers influenced both the novel and Thien's own worldview during her nine-year writing process. Through their works, Thien examines themes of maintaining humanity during societal collapse, finding hope under authoritarianism, and the importance of love in a flawed world. The discussion delves into how these philosophers and poets approached ethical decision-making while facing oppression in their own times.

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Madeleine Thien's new novel 'The Book of Records' is a story that traverses centuries

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Madeleine Thien's new novel 'The Book of Records' is a story that traverses centuries

1-Page Summary

Premise and Structure of "The Book of Records"

"The Book of Records" follows the journey of a seven-year-old girl named Lena and her father as they seek refuge in a sanctuary called Refuge Csea. This unique setting serves as a temporary haven where various eras and lives intersect, hosting travelers who are escaping their pasts and seeking new beginnings. As they depart for this sanctuary, Lena's father selects three profound works by Hannah Arendt, Baruch Spinoza, and Du Fu—texts chosen specifically for their complexity and ability to nurture his daughter's mind during their travels.

Thien's Exploration of Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu

Thien discusses her deep engagement with these three thinkers, particularly drawn to their philosophical explorations of coping with adversity through love and hope. She examines Arendt's questioning of loving the world, Spinoza's perspectives on human freedom and free will, and Du Fu's contemplations on authoritarianism and hope. These thinkers, despite facing tyranny and societal collapse, maintained their capacity for love and connection.

Authoritarianism, Societal Collapse, Struggle to Maintain Hope/Love

Thien explains her attraction to these historical figures stems from their experiences with authoritarianism and societal upheaval while maintaining their humanity. She emphasizes their ability to make difficult choices during times of oppression and suggests that loving our flawed world is essential for humanity's survival.

Thien's Novel Writing Journey and Its Influence on Her Worldview

During the nine-year process of writing "The Book of Records," Thien immersed herself in the works of Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu, developing a new perspective on the world. Through wrestling with their complex ideas and contradictions, she gained a deeper appreciation for the nuances of moral life and the constant presence of choice in ethical decision-making. Her engagement with these thinkers opened up what she describes as "another kind of love for the world," one that transcends time and space.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Create a personal refuge space in your home where you can explore different ideas and cultures. Designate a quiet corner or room as your "Refuge Csea," decorate it with items from various cultures or historical periods, and use this space to read, reflect, and write about your thoughts on world events, philosophy, or personal growth.
  • Start a "Philosophical Dinner Club" with friends or family where each meal is themed around a philosopher or thinker. For example, one dinner could focus on Hannah Arendt's ideas about loving the world, and participants would prepare a dish that represents their interpretation of this concept. During the meal, discuss how Arendt's ideas apply to current societal challenges and personal experiences.
  • Engage in a nine-year creative project that mirrors Thien's dedication to "The Book of Records." Choose a form of expression like writing, painting, or music, and commit to exploring a complex idea over an extended period. Document your journey and how your understanding of the world evolves, sharing your insights in a blog or social media to connect with others interested in long-term personal growth and philosophical exploration.

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Madeleine Thien's new novel 'The Book of Records' is a story that traverses centuries

Premise and Structure of "The Book of Records"

"The Book of Records" is a novel that unfolds within the haven of Refuge Csea, capturing the story of a father and daughter as they embark on a fresh start amidst others who are also seeking to settle anew. The intricate premise and the selection of books within the narrative hold distinct significance reflecting the mental fortitude and diversity of human thought across eras.

Novel Set In Refuge Csea, Where Father and Daughter Arrive and Father Chooses Three Books

The novel commences as a seven-year-old girl named Lena and her father seek solace in Refuge Csea—a sanctuary for travelers escaping their pasts and hoping to establish new beginnings. Csea distinguishes itself as an ephemeral hub where eras converge and various lives momentarily intertwine, encapsulating the transient nature of its inhabitants, who typically linger briefly, seldom more than a couple of days.

Csea: A Refuge for Those Escaping and Settling Anew, Where Eras and People Meet

Envisioned as a transient waypoint, Refuge Csea serves as a backdrop where those fleeing from one phase in life to another interact and rest momentarily before continuing their respective journeys. It is in this fleeting confluence of emigres and temporalities that the protagonists of "The Book of Records" find themselves.

Books by Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu From Different Centuries

The father, faced with the urgency of departure, instinctively selects three books from the depths of their former life—texts so esoteric, they promise to challenge and captivate the mind through infinite readings. These venerable works, penned by thinkers Hannah Arendt, Baruc ...

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Premise and Structure of "The Book of Records"

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Create your own Refuge Csea by designating a peaceful corner in your home where you can retreat and reflect. This space can be filled with items that inspire tranquility and contemplation, such as plants, comfortable seating, and soft lighting. Use this area to read, meditate, or simply take a moment away from the chaos of daily life, allowing you to reset and recharge.
  • Curate a personal reading list of challenging books that promise intellectual growth and companionship. Choose texts from various disciplines and time periods, similar to the father's selection for Lena, to ensure a diverse and enriching experience. As you read, keep a journal to document insights and revelations, turning the reading process into an ongoing dialogue with yourself.
  • Host a themed book club where each m ...

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Madeleine Thien's new novel 'The Book of Records' is a story that traverses centuries

Thien's Exploration of Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu

In discussing her engagement with the works of Hannah Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu, Thien delves into the themes of their philosophical exploration of coping with adversity through the tools of love and hope.

Triad Confronted Tyranny, Ruin, and Treachery, yet Kept Love and Hope

Thien has spent significant time grappling with the ideas and works of the three thinkers, including wrestling with their contradictions. She chose these figures because their ideas have deeply influenced her over time.

Arendt's "Ethics" on Freedom, Free Will, and Moral Life Choices

In the exploration of Arendt's work, Thien lingers on a pivotal question posed by Arendt regarding the difficulty of loving the world. This question reflects Arendt's broader engagement with themes of freedom, moral life choices, and the individual's relationship with the world.

Spinoza's Views on Human Actions and Free Will Illusions Influenced Thien

Although Spinoza's views are not explicitly discussed by Thien in the podcast segment provided, his renowned work, "Ethics," deals with human freedom and free will, probing the potential illusions surrounding this concept. The work is influent ...

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Thien's Exploration of Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore your own responses to adversity by journaling about a challenging situation and how love and hope play a role in your coping strategy. Write down a recent difficulty you faced and reflect on how you navigated it with a sense of hope or love, whether it was self-love, love for others, or a passion for a cause. This personal reflection can help you understand your resilience and may guide you in future challenges.
  • Create a "freedom and choice" diary where you record daily decisions and analyze them in terms of perceived autonomy and moral implications. At the end of each day, note down a few choices you made, from the mundane to the significant, and consider if they felt like exercises of free will or if external factors heavily influenced them. This can heighten your awareness of your own moral compass and the degree of freedom you feel in your life.
  • Engage with ...

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Madeleine Thien's new novel 'The Book of Records' is a story that traverses centuries

Authoritarianism, Societal Collapse, Struggle to Maintain Hope/Love

Thien's interest in certain historical figures stems from their experiences with authoritarianism and societal collapse and their dedication to preserving love and connection amidst these challenges.

Thien Was Drawn To These Figures For Experiencing Authoritarianism and Societal Collapse While Striving to Maintain Love and Connection to the World

Difficult Choices and Moral Dilemmas in Oppression and Upheaval

Thien finds herself compelled by individuals who have grappled with tough decisions and moral quandaries during times of oppression and social turmoil. The historical figures she is drawn to each confronted tyranny, treachery, and the crumbling of society yet managed to embrace love for the world. This paradoxical strength and sentiment during such dire times is what attracts Thien to their stories.

Thien Believes Loving the Flawed World Is Essential for Humanity's Survival

Thien suggests ...

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Authoritarianism, Societal Collapse, Struggle to Maintain Hope/Love

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The belief that love and connection can persist in the face of authoritarianism and societal collapse may overlook the psychological impact such conditions can have on individuals, potentially leading to a breakdown of social bonds and trust.
  • The idea that humanity's survival hinges on our capacity to love and connect deeply could be challenged by the argument that survival may sometimes require pragmatic, even harsh, decisions that prioritize resources and security over emotional connections.
  • Thien's focus on the importance of loving an imperfect world might be critiqued for potentially encouraging complacency or acceptance of injustices rather than advocating for active resistance and change.
  • The notion that fostering love for the world is a prerequisite for safeguarding cherished things and people could be countered by the argument that practical measures, such as political action and social reform, are more immediate and effective means of protection.
  • The emphasis on individual moral dilemmas in the face of oppression might be seen as overshadowing the collective action and systemic changes that are often necessary t ...

Actionables

  • You can start a personal journal to reflect on acts of kindness and love you witness or participate in daily. This practice encourages you to actively look for and acknowledge the good in the world, reinforcing the belief that love and connection are vital, even in small, everyday interactions. For example, write about a moment when someone helped a stranger or when you were able to offer support to a friend in need.
  • Create a "Love for the World" challenge for yourself, where you commit to one action each week that contributes positively to your community or environment. This could be volunteering, planting a tree, or simply sharing a supportive message with someone facing a tough time. The goal is to cultivate a habit of proactive love and connection, demonstrating that these values can thrive despite societal challenges.
  • Engage in conversations with people from differe ...

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Madeleine Thien's new novel 'The Book of Records' is a story that traverses centuries

Thien's Novel Writing Journey and Its Influence on Her Worldview

Through the intensive process of crafting her novel "The Book of Records," Thien has found herself deeply influenced by the philosophical teachings of Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu.

Engaging Nine Years With Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu Taught Thien a New Worldview

Thien speaks on how the nine-year journey of writing "The Book of Records" was a transformative educational experience in itself. Engaging with the works and ideas of historical thinkers like Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu, Thien learned to perceive the world with a new perspective. She found this endeavor demanding yet profoundly impactful as it actively involved her in thinking and grappling with the rich and varied perspectives of these intellectual giants.

Thien's Appreciation For Nuance and Choices in a Moral Life Stems From Grappling With Contradictions and Complexities in Thinkers' Works

Thien describes the experience of reading Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu as having opened a door to another kind of love for the world, one that traverses time and space. Their written works have allowed her to appreciate the subtleties involved in the choices we make in a moral life. By wrestling with the contradictions and complexities in the works of these thinkers, Thien highlights a significant aspect of morality: it's not about arriving at a fixed state of being a moral person but rather the ongoing presence of choice at every moment. She elucidates that the crux of their teachings centered around the continual decision-making process – whether to speak up or stay silent, to offer protection or to ignore, and to value or disregard the things that come our way ...

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Thien's Novel Writing Journey and Its Influence on Her Worldview

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The influence of Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu on Thien's worldview is subjective and may not be universally applicable; other readers or writers might not experience the same transformation after engaging with these thinkers.
  • The transformation of worldview through engagement with historical thinkers assumes that their ideas are timeless and universally relevant, which may not hold true for every individual or culture.
  • Appreciating nuance and moral choices is not unique to the study of Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu; other philosophers, experiences, and cultural influences can also contribute significantly to one's moral understanding.
  • The connection between stud ...

Actionables

  • Start a reflective journal where you explore your reactions to historical texts and current events. As you read about historical figures or global issues, jot down your thoughts, feelings, and the moral dilemmas they present. This practice can deepen your understanding of the complexities involved and help you appreciate the nuances in your daily life and decisions.
  • Create a personal "Worldview Map" by drawing connections between the philosophies you encounter and your own beliefs. On a large piece of paper, write down key concepts from thinkers like Arendt, Spinoza, and Du Fu, and draw lines to how they relate to your views on authority, responsibility, and ethics. Update this map as your views evolve, using it as a visual guide to your intellectual growth.
  • Engage in role-playing scenarios with friends or in a community gro ...

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