Mona

An interview with Pola Oloixarac, Mona (2021). Pola and I get to talking about the failure of the US university to live up to its massive influence, especially when it comes to making the lives of black and brown people better. We discuss whether writers are terrible people, or are they simply unfit for any other vocation? Pola introduces me to "me-search," the self-centered prancing of authors at literary conferences. And she helps me to see the folly of imagining writing as a solitary affair, instead imagining the work of the writer as a constant convening of friends.

Books Recommended in this episode:

Pola Oloixarac, Mona

Pola Recommends:

• Maria Gainza, Portrait of an Unknown Lady
• Aldolfo Caseres, Borges (2023 in English)
• Rafael Chirbes, Cremation trans. valerie miles
• Edgardo Cozarinsky,Milongas trans. valerie miles

Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers.