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cover of episode Authors of two new novels draw inspiration from history in wildly different ways

Authors of two new novels draw inspiration from history in wildly different ways

2025/4/4
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Emma Donoghue: 我被一张1895年蒙帕纳斯火车出轨事故的照片所吸引，并以此为灵感创作了小说《巴黎快车》。在创作过程中，我进行了大量的历史研究，发现事实往往比虚构更奇特。我参考了大量的历史资料，包括数据库、报纸和巴黎历史博物馆的图片，力求还原当时的社会场景和人物形象。小说中既有真实的事件和人物，也有我根据历史背景虚构的情节和人物，力求在真实性和艺术性之间取得平衡。我试图通过这部小说来探讨科技进步的代价，以及人们对速度和效率的追求。火车事故也让我思考了自身命运的脆弱，以及人生的不可预测性。 Bob the Drag Queen: 我创作了一本关于哈丽特·塔布曼以说唱歌手身份回归的小说《哈丽特·塔布曼：现场演唱会》。我并没有想写一本关于历史人物穿越时空的故事，我只是想写一本关于哈丽特·塔布曼和嘻哈音乐的小说。为了让这个设定成立，我虚构了其他历史人物的回归。小说中，哈丽特·塔布曼希望通过嘻哈音乐继续她的废奴主义事业，这反映了她在追求自由的道路上，目标和方法的转变。这部小说不仅展现了哈丽特·塔布曼作为废奴主义者的形象，也展现了她作为美国军事任务领导者的另一面，以及她丰富而复杂的人生经历。我希望通过这部小说，让更多人了解哈丽特·塔布曼，并思考自由的意义。

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Emma Donoghue, author of _The Paris Express_, discusses her research process and the inspiration behind her novel, which is based on a famous photograph of the 1895 Montparnasse derailment. She delves into the historical context of the event, the lives of the passengers, and the impact of railroads on society at the time.
  • Donoghue's novel is inspired by a famous photograph of the 1895 Montparnasse train derailment.
  • Extensive historical research was conducted, including using databases and newspapers.
  • The novel explores the lives of diverse passengers from various social classes and backgrounds aboard the train.
  • Donoghue highlights the transformative impact of railroads on society, commerce, communication and time zones.

Shownotes Transcript

Today on the show, we hear from authors who were inspired by history in wildly different ways. First, when Emma Donoghue encountered a famous photo of the 1895 Montparnasse derailment, she says she couldn't believe no one had written a novel about it. Donoghue's The Paris Express imagines what life was like for passengers on the old-fashioned steam locomotive. In today's episode, she talks with NPR's Steve Inskeep about the extensive historical research she conducted in order to write the book. Then, Bob the Drag Queen has called Harriet Tubman "the first Black superhero." In Bob's debut novel Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert, Tubman returns to continue her work as an abolitionist through hip-hop. In today's episode, Bob speaks with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about the idea of freedom, Tubman's military service, and a recent appearance on The Traitors.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)