All Of It Podcast Summary Episode: Author Eric Puckner's Novel, 'Dream State'
Host: Alison Stewart
Release Date: February 19, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, author Eric Puckner discusses his novel Dream State. The conversation delves into the novel's setting, character development, themes of environmental change, generational differences, and personal experiences influencing the narrative.

The Significance of Montana

[01:44]
Eric Puckner shares his deep connection to Montana, stating, "my wife and I have been going to Montana for the past 25 years every summer. So it's a place that's really near and dear to my heart." The house featured in Dream State is inspired by his father-in-law's home on Flathead Lake, built in the 1930s by his Lithuanian immigrant grandfather, who overcame significant hardship to establish a successful middle-class life in Montana.

Depiction of Montana’s Environmental Challenges

[03:00]
Puckner emphasizes the environmental peril Montana faces, highlighting issues like wildfires and climate change. He explains, "I wanted to capture in the book... the fact that [Montana] is also a landscape in peril," referencing the increasing frequency of wildfires and diminishing snowmelt affecting biodiversity and the lake.

[11:16 – 12:50]
He reads a passage illustrating the dire environmental state in Montana, describing the pervasive wildfire smoke and its impact on daily life:
"The AQI had been in the 300s all week, so high that they were warning you not to leave the house... blasting music from pontoon boats or doing donuts on their Waverunners shrouded in a yellow gray fog of smoke."

Character Analysis: Garrett, Charlie, and CeCe

Garrett

[04:19]
Garrett is introduced as a depressed, misanthropic character who has not overcome a college tragedy:
"He is very depressed... prefers animals to people, doesn't believe in marriage... he's a wounded soul."
Throughout the novel, Garrett undergoes significant personal growth, finding his true vocation later in the story.

Charlie

[05:16 – 05:28]
Charlie is portrayed as the optimistic friend who desires to maintain his current happiness:
"Charlie wants to continue to be as happy as he is now... he wakes up every morning and he says, 'rise and shine.'"
A dynamic reversal occurs between Garrett and Charlie as their lives and perspectives change over time.

CeCe

[06:17 – 07:01]
CeCe plans her wedding meticulously, not out of control but from a place of uncertainty:
"She's trying to exert so much control because inside, she feels like she's not sure about what she's doing."
As a med school dropout, CeCe seeks purpose and stability in her life, reflected in her dedication to the wedding.

Setting the Timeline: 2004 to 2054

[07:01 – 09:54]
Puckner explains his decision to set Dream State from 2004 to 2054 to explore the long-term impacts of environmental degradation and the aging of characters:
"I love books that are about time and in particular, books whose antagonist is time."
He draws inspiration from literary works like Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson and To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, focusing on the symbolism of houses as representations of permanence amidst the impermanence of life.

Environmental Reality Check and Climate Change

[09:54 – 11:13]
Addressing climate change, Puckner admits that while he didn’t intend to be prophetic, the worsening environmental conditions mirrored real-world events:
"I had to actually make things worse... people thought it wasn't going to come."
He incorporated more severe climate impacts into the novel as real-life wildfires intensified beyond expectations.

Generational Differences and Legacy

[13:08 – 13:45]
Puckner discusses the exploration of generational differences, particularly how the decisions and mistakes of the protagonists affect their children:
"I wanted to see how the ramifications of [the characters'] actions affected the following generation."
The novel portrays both individual and collective consequences of environmental and personal choices.

Depiction of Alzheimer's and Personal Experience

[13:52 – 15:27]
Drawing from personal tragedy, Puckner addresses Alzheimer's in the novel, inspired by his mother's battle with the disease:
"I write from a deep place... it's so inscrutable."
He emphasizes the profound impact Alzheimer's has not only on those diagnosed but also on their families, striving to authentically capture the emotional turmoil.

The Writing Process: Solitary and Collaborative Elements

[15:27 – 17:14]
Puckner describes his writing approach as largely exploratory, preferring not to map out the entire novel in advance:
"My first drafts are exploratory... if I don't surprise myself as I'm writing the novel, I'm not going to surprise a reader."
He relies on his wife, Katherine Noel, and a trusted group of friends to provide feedback during the revision process, ensuring the story evolves organically.

Conclusion

The conversation concludes with Alison Stewart praising Dream State and Eric Puckner expressing gratitude for the opportunity to discuss his work. The episode encapsulates the intricate balance between personal narrative and broader societal issues, illustrating how individual lives are intertwined with environmental and generational shifts.

Notable Quotes:

• Eric Puckner on Montana’s Significance:
  "Montana is a place that's really near and dear to my heart." [01:48]

• On Environmental Peril:
  "I wanted to write this pain to this beautiful landscape, but also a bit of analogy for it as well." [03:00]

• On Character Development:
  "Garrett makes no bones about telling everybody about how he feels about certain things... he's a wounded soul." [04:19]

• On Writing Process:
  "If I don't surprise myself as I'm writing the novel, I'm not going to surprise a reader." [15:31]

All Of It continues to serve as a companion and curator of New York City's vast cultural landscape, engaging listeners with in-depth conversations that explore the what and why of cultural phenomena.