Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Get Lit: Katie Kitamura on 'Audition'"

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart, WNYC
• Episode Title: Get Lit: Katie Kitamura on 'Audition'
• Release Date: June 2, 2025
• Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, creators, and the WNYC community in discussions about the what and why of their work.

Introduction to "Audition"

Alison Stewart opens the episode by introducing Katie Kitamura's latest novel, "Audition." The story centers on a successful actress whose life is disrupted by Xavier, a young man who claims to be her long-lost son—a claim that challenges her reality and tests her marriage.

Key Points:

• Premise: A successful actress grapples with her identity and marriage when Xavier enters her life, claiming to be her son.
• Themes: Identity, motherhood, marriage, and the blurred lines between reality and performance.

Katie Kitamura’s Writing Process

Katie Kitamura delves into her personal writing habits and environments, providing insights into how her life influences her creative process.

Notable Quotes:

• "I write when I can. To be honest, I wish it was every day. In a dream world it would be every day, but much more is whenever I have a moment and I become quite good about now, just slipping into the world of a novel." (02:16)

Insights:

• Initially wrote from her bedroom amidst daily life challenges.
• Recently transitioned to a separate office, facing new pressures but appreciating the dedicated space for creativity.
• Views writing as an escape and a pleasurable immersion into another world.

Origin of "Audition"

Kitamura explains the genesis of "Audition," inspired by a headline about a stranger claiming paternity and her reflections on motherhood.

Notable Quotes:

• "I wanted to write a book about how some very universal experiences of motherhood, of marriage, of making art, contain within them something that feels incommensurate, something that feels oppositional." (02:35)

Insights:

• The initial idea sparked by the paradoxical nature of a stranger claiming to be her child.
• Explores the alienation within intimate relationships, particularly motherhood and marriage.
• Emphasizes the necessity of allowing children their private lives as part of parenting.

Exploration of Performance and Identity

Kitamura discusses the intertwining of performance in acting and writing, highlighting how her characters often grapple with identity and societal roles.

Notable Quotes:

• "The idea of performance, what it reveals about who you are and how you relate to other people is something I've been kind of dancing around." (04:30)

Insights:

• Incorporates themes of acting and performance in her narratives.
• Characters often face the tension between their public personas and private identities.
• "Audition" directly addresses these themes through its protagonist's struggle with her acting role and personal life.

Character Dynamics and Structure of the Novel

The conversation delves into the novel's structure, particularly its two-act format, and the evolving motivations of Xavier, the young man central to the plot.

Notable Quotes:

• "The second half of the book leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew." (00:28)
• "The novel has Two different realities happening at the same time." (27:43)

Insights:

• Initially written as a straightforward narrative, Kitamura restructured it to incorporate a contrasting second half, enhancing thematic depth.
• Inspired by David Lynch, the novel presents parallel realities that reflect the protagonist's psychological state.
• Xavier's character serves multiple roles—potential son, career facilitator, or a figure seeking reconciliation—adding complexity to the narrative.

Rituals and Their Dual Nature

A discussion on the significance of rituals within the novel, particularly the protagonist's morning pastry routine.

Notable Quotes:

• "Rituals are how we structure our life. They allow us to enact certain roles that maybe otherwise we wouldn't know how to enact." (23:57)

Insights:

• Rituals in the novel symbolize the protagonist's attempt to maintain intimacy and fulfill societal expectations.
• Morning pastries represent both nurturing and oppressive aspects of domestic life.
• Highlights how repetitive actions can mask underlying tensions and power dynamics.

Marriage and Relationship Dynamics

Kitamura elaborates on portraying a stable yet strained marriage, challenging conventional narrative focuses on beginnings and endings.

Notable Quotes:

• "What happens when you remove those two questions, which are kind of the big questions that tend to be the motor for any relationship story." (16:41)
• "The courtship of the middle of life remains somewhat under explored." (14:32)

Insights:

• The marriage between the protagonist and Tomas is grounded in love, yet faces significant external pressures.
• Explores the complexities and transformations within long-term relationships.
• Emphasizes the narrative potential in the middle stages of relationships, a less commonly explored theme.

Impact of External Interpretations on Performance

Addressing how audiences' perceptions influence the reception of a character's performance within the novel.

Notable Quotes:

• "Intentionality is not as important as interpretation on the part of the reader or the viewer." (29:22)
• "The book is made hand in hand with the reader through their interpretation." (29:22)

Insights:

• Explores the idea that performances live beyond the actor’s intentions, shaped by audience interpretations.
• The protagonist's view of her performance is affected by her evolving understanding and external feedback.
• Encourages readers to recognize the multifaceted nature of interpretation in storytelling.

Audience Q&A Highlights

1. Alternative Realities in "Audition":

• Question: Does the second half of the book take place in the same universe as the first?
• Response: "There are two different realities happening at the same time. It was important that it read like two distinct realities." (27:43)

2. Hannah’s Role in the Family Dynamic:

• Question: Why does Hannah, Xavier’s girlfriend, persistently bother the narrator?
• Response: "Hannah is exerting power over people and challenging the narrator to accommodate her son and his partner." (26:05)

3. Dynamics with Xavier:

• Question: What does Xavier want from the relationship?
• Response: "His motivations shift a lot—from career advancement to genuine reconciliation, making his character shape-shift throughout the novel." (19:26)

Conclusion

Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by reiterating the significance of Katie Kitamura’s "Audition" as the May book club selection and acknowledges the engagement of the audience through a live event at the New York Public Library’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library.

Final Thoughts:

• "Audition" offers a profound exploration of mid-life crises, the complexities of long-term relationships, and the elusive nature of identity.
• Kitamura’s innovative narrative structure and deep character studies provide a rich, thought-provoking reading experience.
• The podcast episode underscores the intricate interplay between personal experiences and creative expression in shaping cultural narratives.

Credits:

• Host: Alison Stewart
• Author: Katie Kitamura
• Podcast: All Of It, WNYC
• Support: New York Public Library, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library