Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart – "Beach Reads Week: Katie Yee's Heartbreak Novel"

Podcast Information

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart, WNYC
• Episode: Beach Reads Week: Katie Yee's Heartbreak Novel
• Release Date: July 10, 2025
• Description: ALL OF IT explores culture and its consumers, engaging thinkers, creators, and the WNYC community in discussions about the cultural landscape of New York City.

Introduction

In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart delves into the world of contemporary fiction by engaging with Katie Yee, a local author, about her debut novel, Maggie or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar. This episode is part of the show's Beach Reads Week, aiming to spotlight engaging summer reads that reflect diverse cultural experiences.

Guest Introduction: Katie Yee

[00:29] Alison Stewart:
Alison introduces Katie Yee and her novel, highlighting the intriguing duality of the name "Maggie" in the story—referring both to a person and a cancerous tumor. She sets the stage for an insightful conversation about overcoming personal adversity through storytelling.

[01:52] Katie Yee:
Katie expresses her admiration for the show and shares how listening to All Of It has been a companion during her daily routines.

Synopsis of Maggie or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar

[02:03] Alison Stewart:
Alison prompts Katie to discuss the inception of her novel, which began as a short story idea before expanding into a full-length novel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[02:16] Katie Yee:
Katie explains that the pandemic provided the time and space to develop her writing, transforming her initial short story into the comprehensive narrative of the novel.

[02:43] Alison Stewart:
Questions Katie about the influence of her professional life at the Brooklyn Museum on her writing.

[02:46] Katie Yee:
Katie elaborates on how constant exposure to visual art influences her focus on language and sound in her writing, drawing a parallel to the concept of Aphantasia—the inability to visualize—highlighting her reliance on words to create vivid imagery.

Key Themes and Discussions

1. Navigating Personal Crises

[05:02] Katie Yee:
Provides a poignant reading from her novel, depicting the protagonist's discovery of her husband's affair at an Indian buffet restaurant. She emphasizes the realism and emotional depth of the scene, illustrating how everyday settings can frame significant life-altering moments.

[07:13] Katie Yee:
Discusses the symbolic choice of an Indian buffet as the setting for the husband's revelation, intertwining personal elements from her own life, such as her desire to enjoy Indian cuisine and write her scene simultaneously.

[08:09] Katie Yee:
Explores how the protagonist's simultaneous battles with divorce and a breast cancer diagnosis create a layered narrative of resilience and self-reclamation. She highlights the protagonist's decision to withhold her illness from her estranged husband as a means of asserting control over her own story.

[09:37] Katie Yee:
Shares personal connections to the theme of breast cancer, explaining its deep roots in her family history and how it became a central element of her novel to honor her loved ones' experiences.

2. The Power of Storytelling and Mythology

[14:38] Alison Stewart:
Introduces the discussion of myths and fairy tales within the novel, prompting Katie to explain their significance.

[14:56] Katie Yee:
Katie delves into her love for Greek and Chinese mythology, inherited from her mother and grandmother. She integrates these myths into her narrative to enrich the cultural tapestry of her story and provide deeper symbolic meaning.

[15:39] Katie Yee:
Recalls a cherished childhood memory with her grandmother, sharing a Chinese myth about the moon and trees, which inspired a key element in her novel.

3. Friendship and Support Systems

[14:13] Katie Yee:
Emphasizes the importance of friendship in her novel, inspired by her own strong support network. She introduces the character Darlene, who embodies the "ride or die" friend, providing the protagonist with unwavering support during her trials.

[14:22] Alison Stewart:
Echoes this sentiment, highlighting the absence of such supportive friendships in many divorce narratives, and Katie agrees, attributing Darlene’s creation to her real-life friends who have been her pillars of strength.

Writing Process and Author Insights

[19:31] Alison Stewart:
Queries Katie about balancing her career at the Brooklyn Museum with her writing commitments.

[19:41] Katie Yee:
Reveals her nighttime writing routine, taking advantage of quiet hours to craft her stories by hand, preferring the tactile process of writing over digital methods.

[20:32] Katie Yee:
Describes her fondness for parentheses in her writing style, likening them to theatrical asides that engage the reader in a conversational manner.

[21:47] Katie Yee:
Offers practical advice for aspiring writers: using an hourglass timer to dedicate focused time to writing, emphasizing the importance of discipline and routine.

Book Recommendations for Summer Reading Challenge

As part of the Beach Reads Week, Katie Yee shares her top book picks across various categories:

1. Classic You've Been Meaning to Get To:

   • First Love by Ivan Turgenev
     A evocative novella exploring youthful romance and nostalgia.

2. Book Set in New York City:

   • Best of Everything by Rhona Jaffe
     A gripping tale of four young women navigating the publishing industry in New York.

3. Recent Debut Novel:

   • Cinema Love by Jiaming Tang
     A heartfelt depiction of gay men in rural China and the women who marry them, offering a fresh perspective on Chinatown.

4. Memoir or Biography:

   • Nothing More of This Land by Joseph Lee
     A profound exploration of indigenous identity and history centered around Martha's Vineyard.

5. Book Published in 2025:

   • Exit Zero by Marie Helene Bertino
     A captivating collection of short stories that evoke the surreal and the everyday with equal finesse.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

[21:12] Katie Yee:
Expresses excitement for her book’s release and the opportunity to connect with readers through upcoming events and tours. She underscores the importance of community support and the joy of sharing her story with others.

[21:47] Katie Yee:
Encourages aspiring writers to commit to their craft by setting aside dedicated time, reinforcing the notion that writing requires both passion and perseverance.

[22:15] Alison Stewart:
Wraps up the conversation, highlighting the essential themes of Katie Yee’s novel and expressing gratitude for her insightful contributions.

Notable Quotes

• Katie Yee on Writing Inspiration:
  “I've been trying and failing to write about this thing that runs through my family. I wanted to lovingly throw as much at her as I could and see what she could do with it.”
  [09:37]

• On Reclaiming Her Story:
  “There can be something really powerful about reclaiming your own story that way.”
  [08:40]

• About Friendship:
  “I have never had to go through anything truly terrible in life all alone. I have so many best friends who I can lean on.”
  [14:22]

• Advice for Writers:
  “Get an hourglass. Just sit down. So much of writing is just putting your butt in that chair.”
  [21:47]

Key Takeaways

• Resilience in Adversity:
  Maggie or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar portrays the protagonist's journey through marital breakdown and a cancer diagnosis, highlighting themes of resilience and self-empowerment.

• Cultural and Mythological Depth:
  Katie Yee intertwines Greek and Chinese myths into her narrative, enriching the story's cultural context and providing symbolic layers that resonate with diverse readers.

• The Importance of Support Systems:
  The novel emphasizes the role of friendships in navigating personal crises, reflecting the author's own experiences with strong supportive relationships.

• Writing as a Personal and Artistic Endeavor:
  Katie's dedication to her craft, from her nighttime writing routines to her preference for handwritten drafts, illustrates the personal commitment required to bring a novel to life.

• Community Engagement:
  The release events and tour plans underscore the importance of connecting with readers and building a community around shared literary experiences.

Join the Conversation

For those interested in exploring Katie Yee’s debut novel, Maggie or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar, release on July 22nd, 2025, and participate in upcoming events at the NYPL Chatham Square branch and Melissa Joy Manning Jewelry Bookstore.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the significant points discussed between Alison Stewart and Katie Yee, and providing insights into the novel’s themes, the author’s writing process, and her book recommendations.