All Of It: Get Lit Preview with Katie Kitamura on 'Audition'

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
• Episode: Get Lit Preview: Katie Kitamura on 'Audition'
• Release Date: May 12, 2025
• Description: A deep dive into the cultural landscape, featuring conversations with thinkers, creators, and makers shaping our world.

Overview of 'Audition'

In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart introduces listeners to the May book club selection, "Audition" by Katie Kitamura. The novel centers around a seemingly ordinary lunch that unravels complex relationships and hidden depths among the characters.

Alison Stewart provides a synopsis:

"The novel begins with a lunch. A woman, a successful actor, heads to a fried restaurant to meet a much younger man who has recently come into her life. His name is Xavier. They talk. It's awkward. Her husband appears at the restaurant. He leaves. But there's a whole other story that goes on as well" (00:29).

She invites listeners to join the Get Lit event at the New York Public Library, highlighting the availability of an e-copy of the book through WNYC’s partnership with the NYPL.

Interview with Katie Kitamura

Alison Stewart welcomes Katie Kitamura, the author of "Audition," for an insightful conversation about her novel.

Character Development and Inspiration

Alison begins by exploring the genesis of the novel's characters:

"Which of these two characters came to you first?" (01:43).

Katie Kitamura responds:

"Absolutely. The central character, the narrator, who is an actress in the middle of her life, who's in rehearsals for a difficult new play. And then everything she kind of knows about who she is in the world is upended when she encounters Xavier." (01:47).

She delves into her fascination with performance:

"I think I've been interested in performance for a really long time. It's something that I've written about in some of my other books... What does it really mean to have performance be such a central part of my daily life." (02:05).

Research and the Creative Process

Alison inquires about how Kitamura's experiences informed her writing:

"What did you learn about the creative process that helped you write this book?" (02:41).

Katie shares her background:

"When I first moved to New York in 2009, a lot of my friends were actors and playwrights and directors... I held that in the back of my head. And then when it came time to write this novel, I kind of had a store of information to call from." (02:49).

Exploring the Middle of Life

The conversation shifts to the protagonist’s stage in life:

"She is very much settled. I would say she feels settled both in her career and in her marriage... I was really interested in writing about the middle of a life." (03:21).

Katie elaborates on societal narratives:

"Quite often we focus on the start of a life or maybe the end of a life... I was really interested in what happens in that kind of sticky middle where it seems like nothing much is going to change." (03:58).

The Enigmatic Xavier

Alison probes into the character of Xavier:

"There's something about Xavier, this young man who she's meeting for lunch, that's unsettling to her. Why does he bother her so much?" (04:09).

Katie explains Xavier's impact:

"There's a lot of undecidability about who he really is to her... She's not entirely sure of what he wants from her. And so that's what unsettles her." (04:57).

Character Analysis: Thomas

Alison introduces Thomas, the husband:

"How would you describe Thomas?" (05:24).

Katie praises Thomas's character:

"Thomas is probably my favorite character in the novel. He is a very steady person... an incredibly caring and present partner to both the narrator and also to Xavier." (05:24).

She hints at Thomas's internal struggles:

"He has a sense of dissatisfaction. There are things he wanted in his life that he didn't." (05:55).

Excerpt Reading and Thematic Exploration

Alison invites Katie to read a passage:

"We would love it if you'd read a bit of the novel for us. Could you set it up?" (05:55).

Katie selects a poignant excerpt that delves into the tension between desire and reality:

"I knew that what Tomas with the waiter and the middle aged couple sitting at the nearby table, what they had all been misled by, was a current of intensity running between Xavier and me... You pull at the ropes tied to the statue. You pull and nothing happens. And then you pull and you pull again and the whole thing topples over." (06:00-07:46).

This passage encapsulates the fragile dynamics between characters and the underlying currents that drive their interactions.

Structural Choices: Length and Pacing

Alison comments on the novel’s concise length:

"It clocks in at 197 pages, which made me wonder, was this book ever longer?" (07:46).

Katie explains her consistent writing style:

"All of my books are about 200 pages. It seems really difficult for me to write any longer. It's my natural length." (08:08).

She discusses the balance between reader interpretation and narrative control:

"I wanted it to be very open to interpretation... the pacing of the novel, both of events and also of what the reader knows at various different times." (08:17-08:58).

Hidden Details: Easter Eggs

Alison inquires about hidden elements within the book:

"Are there any Easter eggs in the book or one section you worked particularly hard on that you wanted people to pay special attention to?" (09:42).

Katie reveals a unique aspect:

"There are a lot of little Easter eggs in the book, but the one I'll share is that there are a lot of artworks in the book. The titles of all the plays and movies are discarded titles from my last books... I repurposed them to title the works in the book." (09:54).

Conclusion and Event Invitation

Alison wraps up the conversation, reiterating the Get Lit event details:

"We are spending this month reading her novel Audition. It's our May get lit with All Of It Book club selection. We hope you'll join us on May 29th at the New York Public Library." (10:17).

Katie expresses her gratitude and anticipation:

"See you very soon. Thank you again, Alison." (10:39).

Key Takeaways

• "Audition" explores deep themes of identity, performance, and the complexities of middle age.
• The novel’s characters navigate subtle tensions and unspoken desires that challenge their perceived realities.
• Katie Kitamura employs a concise narrative structure, balancing reader interpretation with controlled pacing.
• Hidden elements, such as repurposed titles for artworks within the novel, add layers of depth for attentive readers.

Listeners are encouraged to participate in the Get Lit event, engage with the book, and delve into the intricate world Katie Kitamura has crafted in "Audition".

Note: The timestamps correspond to the segments of the podcast transcript for reference.

Timestamp Reference:

• 00:00-00:29: Advertisement (Skipped)
• 00:29-01:35: Episode Introduction (Included)
• 01:36-10:43: Main Content - Interview with Katie Kitamura (Included)
• 10:43 onwards: Outro Advertisement (Skipped)