Podcast Summary: "Amor Towles' Short Stories In 'Table For Two'" on ALL OF IT

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host/Author: WNYC (Hosted by Koosha Navadar)
• Episode: Amor Towles' Short Stories In "Table For Two"
• Release Date: March 26, 2025
• Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, doers, makers, and creators in discussions about their work and its cultural impact.

Introduction to Amor Towles and "Table For Two"

[00:39]
Koosha Navadar introduces the episode, providing an overview of Amor Towles' esteemed career and his latest work, "Table for Two." Towles is renowned for novels such as Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow, and The Lincoln Highway. The forthcoming paperback edition of Table for Two, releasing on April 8th, features six short stories written over the past decade, predominantly set in New York City with one set in Los Angeles around the turn of the millennium. Notably, the collection includes a novella continuing the story of Eve Ross, a charismatic character who mysteriously vanished in Rules of Civility.

The Role of Short Stories in Towles' Writing

[01:40]
Amor Towles discusses his approach to writing short stories between larger novel projects. He explains that short stories offer a natural format for exploring different facets of his experiences in New York City.

“I tend to write my short stories in between the novels. It just seems like a very natural format to study my own times.”
— Amor Towles [01:40]

[02:34]
When asked about his love for short stories, Towles reflects on their role in honing his craft, allowing him to experiment with various narrative elements.

“Short stories really provide you an opportunity to explore the different ways in which you are going to use different tools to tell stories in the longer form of the novel.”
— Amor Towles [02:35]

Challenges and Pleasures of Short Story Writing

[03:05]
Towles contrasts short stories with novels, highlighting the immediacy required in narratives without extensive orientation for the reader.

“In a short story, you drop right in... you're piecing together where you are, and that's part of the pleasure of the short story.”
— Amor Towles [03:09]

[04:40]
He further elaborates on the structural similarities between short stories and improv, emphasizing the economy of time and the rapid development of context.

“...where you don't have the time for [orientation], you drop right in.”
— Amor Towles [04:40]

Developing Complex Narratives and Character Perspectives

[05:51]
Discussing his method, Towles explains the importance of planning and revising to achieve depth in his stories, particularly in multi-perspective narratives like "Eve in Hollywood."

“I tend to plan and it helps to kind of know where you're going for me in my work.”
— Amor Towles [06:01]

[12:19]
Towles delves into the significance of the narrator in storytelling, stressing how point of view and tone shape the narrative's direction.

“...figuring out what the narrator is and what the tone is has a big influence on shaping the story.”
— Amor Towles [12:19]

[13:56]
He describes "Eve in Hollywood," explaining how the story is told from seven different perspectives, each bringing its own tone and moral stance, creating a rich tapestry of viewpoints.

“It's actually told from seven different perspectives. Each has its own tone, point of view, language, and moral standing.”
— Amor Towles [13:56]

Charisma in Character Development

[14:41]
When asked about infusing charisma into characters, Towles outlines his iterative process of deep character exploration, which enhances their three-dimensionality and appeal.

“I imagine the character in different situations, realize new facets of their personality, and refine the story accordingly to bring them alive.”
— Amor Towles [14:41]

[16:20]
He emphasizes that character development often drives plot, likening it to real-life relationships where the person defines the events.

“I'm building the plot, the themes, the characters, simultaneously. But the character's at the center of the whole thing.”
— Amor Towles [16:20]

Influence of Personal Life and Career Transition

[17:39]
Towles addresses the influence of his personal life on his writing, noting that while his work is largely imagined, elements like music, food, and art reflect his interests.

“Very little of it's drawn from my personal life. Most of it is imagined creations rather than personal ones.”
— Amor Towles [17:39]

[18:22]
He shares his personal journey, transitioning from a successful career on Wall Street to becoming a full-time writer in his 40s. This shift was motivated by a mentor's advice and a deep-seated passion for writing.

“Peter [Matheson] told me... there's something about that industry... that artists never come back. That got me writing on the weekends again.”
— Amor Towles [20:12]

[21:51]
Reflecting on his career change, Towles expresses no desire to alter his past choices, emphasizing that his previous career provided him the freedom to write authentically without external pressures.

“Putting it off allowed me to do it in full freedom.”
— Amor Towles [21:51]

Looking Ahead: Future Projects

[23:55]
In closing, Towles hints at his upcoming novel, set in Cairo post-World War II, moving to New York by 1999, though he keeps details under wraps.

“I'm at work on a novel that... opens in Cairo at the end of the Second World War and goes all the way to New York in 1999.”
— Amor Towles [24:11]

Conclusion

The conversation with Amor Towles provides deep insights into his creative process, the intricacies of short story writing, character development, and his inspiring career transition from Wall Street to literature. Towles’ dedication to his craft, combined with his thoughtful exploration of narrative structure and character depth, underscores the enduring impact of his work on contemporary literature.

Notable Quotes:

• Amor Towles [01:40]: “I tend to write my short stories in between the novels... a very natural format to study my own times.”
• Amor Towles [14:41]: “I imagine the character in different situations, realize new facets of their personality, and refine the story accordingly to bring them alive.”
• Amor Towles [20:12]: “That was like my moment of... 'this is, you know, you are going to end up... you will fail to fulfill your passion.'”

Final Note: For fans eager to delve into Towles' latest collection, Table for Two is available in paperback starting Tuesday, April 8th. The anthology promises a rich exploration of character and setting, continuing Towles' legacy of captivating storytelling.