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cover of episode In 'The Catch,' estranged sisters confront a mystery surrounding their mother's death

In 'The Catch,' estranged sisters confront a mystery surrounding their mother's death

2025/6/10
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NPR's Book of the Day
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The episode starts by introducing the concept of wish fulfillment in storytelling and how Yrsa Daley-Ward's novel, "The Catch," explores this theme. It centers on Clara, who desperately wants her mother back and believes she sees her on a bus, despite her mother being presumed dead. The narrative highlights the power of wanting something to be true, even when it defies logic.
  • Yrsa Daley-Ward's new novel, "The Catch", explores the theme of wish fulfillment.
  • Clara, the protagonist, believes she sees her deceased mother on a bus.
  • The episode discusses the power of intuition and the desire for something to be true, even if illogical.

Shownotes Transcript

Yrsa Daley-Ward's new novel The Catch has a mind-bending premise. Clara and Dempsey are twin sisters raised separately after their mother's mysterious death. Then, on their 30th birthday, Clara swears she sees her mom on a city bus. But there's a catch: Her mom is the same age as the twins – 30. In today's episode, Daley-Ward speaks with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about what happens when we desperately want something to be true. They discuss writing as a kind of wish-fulfillment, the book's dedication to readers who have lost a parent, and Well-Read Black Girl's new publishing imprint.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)