Book Riot - The Podcast: Ranking the Stories of Exit 0 by Marie-Helene Bertino

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Introduction

In this teaser episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky delve into Marie-Helene Bertino's latest short story collection, Exit 0. The discussion centers around ranking the stories based on how quintessentially Bertino they are, exploring the unique elements that define her writing style.

Ranking the Stories: A Gordian Knot of Evaluation

Jeff introduces the episode's primary focus: assessing Bertino's short stories in Exit 0 by determining "how Marie-Helene Bertino they are." He likens this challenge to unraveling a Gordian knot, emphasizing the complexity of encapsulating an author's distinctive voice.

Jeff O’Neal [00:23]: "We’ve entertained ourselves for the last week with another one of our... ranking the short stories in Marie Helene Bertino's new collection Exit 0 by how Marie Helene Bertino they are."

Rebecca Schinsky’s Insights on Bertino’s Style

Rebecca shares her impressions of Bertino's work, highlighting the author's charmingness, insightful character observations, and beautiful prose. Despite a smaller sample size of Bertino's stories, Rebecca feels confident in her ability to recognize Bertino's signature style.

Rebecca Schinsky [01:10]: "There is a kind of charmingness to some of the stories, a real insightful quality to how she observes characters and just beautiful sentences."

She appreciates how Bertino employs weirdness not for its own sake but to deepen the exploration of humanity and relationships. Rebecca notes the seamless integration of fantastical elements, where bizarre events are treated as ordinary occurrences within the story's world.

Rebecca Schinsky [02:28]: "I think that sensibility that like the world we live in is weird on its own... to highlight the weirdness of humanity and the weirdness of reality."

Jeff O'Neal’s Observations on Fantastical Elements

Jeff echoes Rebecca's sentiments, praising Bertino's ability to incorporate minimal yet impactful supernatural twists. He contrasts her approach with more extreme speculative fiction, noting that Bertino's fantastical elements serve to illuminate character development and thematic depth without overwhelming the narrative.

Jeff O'Neal [03:23]: "It's really what it means for these characters and even this particular moment... it's a way of seeing it and understanding it and dealing with it."

He admires how Bertino reflects the inherent strangeness of the real world, suggesting that her stories don't need excessive fantastical components to convey their messages.

Characterization and Humanity in Bertino’s Stories

Both hosts emphasize the warmth and humanity embedded in Bertino's narratives. Rebecca draws parallels between Bertino and George Saunders, particularly in their shared appreciation for the human condition and tenderness in storytelling.

Rebecca Schinsky [04:26]: "There's like a warmth to it... an appreciation for the weirdness, for the humanity."

Jeff adds that Bertino's characters are complex and nuanced, avoiding simplistic moral classifications. This depth allows for a more authentic and relatable portrayal of individuals navigating their unique circumstances.

Jeff O'Neal [04:43]: "Her characters tend not to be sort of morality pigeonholed where all the good characters are good and all the bad characters are bad."

Highlight: The Least Bertino Story

As part of their ranking exercise, Jeff and Rebecca identify "The Ecstasy of Sam Malone" as the least representative of Bertino's typical style in Exit 0. Although it features a protagonist experiencing a surreal time loop reminiscent of a popular sitcom, it diverges slightly from the nuanced exploration of humanity found in her other stories.

Rebecca Schinsky [05:16]: "The Ecstasy of Sam Malone."

She provides a brief synopsis, suggesting the story involves a woman experiencing either a dream or a hallucination, leading to a repetitive scenario set in an episode of "Cheers."

Conclusion

This teaser offers a glimpse into Jeff and Rebecca's thoughtful analysis of Marie-Helene Bertino's Exit 0. Their discussion underscores the delicate balance Bertino strikes between the ordinary and the surreal, all while maintaining a deep focus on character and human connection. For listeners eager to hear the full ranking and more in-depth conversations, the complete episode is available through Book Riot Podcast's Patreon.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jeff O’Neal [00:23]: "Ranking the short stories in Marie Helene Bertino's new collection Exit 0 by how Marie Helene Bertino they are."
• Rebecca Schinsky [01:10]: "There is a kind of charmingness to some of the stories, a real insightful quality to how she observes characters and just beautiful sentences."
• Rebecca Schinsky [02:28]: "I think that sensibility that like the world we live in is weird on its own... to highlight the weirdness of humanity and the weirdness of reality."
• Jeff O'Neal [03:23]: "It's really what it means for these characters and even this particular moment... it's a way of seeing it and understanding it and dealing with it."
• Rebecca Schinsky [04:26]: "There's like a warmth to it... an appreciation for the weirdness, for the humanity."
• Jeff O'Neal [04:43]: "Her characters tend not to be sort of morality pigeonholed where all the good characters are good and all the bad characters are bad."
• Rebecca Schinsky [05:16]: "The Ecstasy of Sam Malone."

For the full episode and access to Book Riot's extensive library of premium content, listeners are encouraged to join the community at patreon.com/bookriotpodcast.