Popcorn in the Pages - Episode 10: Erasure by Percival Everett

Release Date: February 22, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

In Episode 10 of "Popcorn in the Pages," a spin-off series from the "Currently Reading" podcast, co-hosts Kaytee Cobb and Shad Cascone delve into the intricate relationship between Percival Everett's novel Erasure and its cinematic adaptation, American Fiction. This episode promises an in-depth exploration of what makes book-to-screen adaptations succeed or falter, enriched with the hosts' strong opinions and insightful commentary.

Overview of Erasure and American Fiction

Kaytee begins by providing a comprehensive synopsis of Erasure, introducing us to Thelonious Monk Ellison, a black writer grappling with the publishing industry's pigeonholing of his work. Frustrated by another black writer's meteoric rise with We's Lives in the Ghetto, Monk pens a satirical novel under a pseudonym to highlight the absurdities of racial stereotypes in literature. Unexpectedly, his subversive work becomes a success, forcing him to navigate the complexities of fame while maintaining his dual identity.

American Fiction, adapted by Cord Jefferson, mirrors this narrative and has garnered significant acclaim, including an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2024. The film features a stellar cast with Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, and Tracee Ellis Ross, achieving over 60 wins and 170 nominations worldwide.

Key Differences Between Book and Movie

The hosts meticulously dissect the variances between the book and its film counterpart, highlighting several pivotal changes:

1. Name Changes

   • Erasure retains the original character names, whereas American Fiction alters them (e.g., Thelonious to Yule, Juanita to Centaura). Shad questions the necessity of these alterations, stating, "Why was it necessary?" (14:01).

2. Setting Shifts

   • The novel is set in Washington D.C., a city with a rich black cultural backdrop, while the movie relocates the story to Boston. Katie speculates on production reasons: "Maybe it's cheaper to shoot in Boston" (14:33).

3. Plot Adjustments

   • Sister’s Death: In the book, Monk's sister dies at a clinic due to a protester, adding depth to her character and the sociopolitical context. The movie simplifies this by portraying her death as a stroke at a restaurant, which Katie feels "cheapens her death" (11:01).
   • Character Omissions: Subplots involving Monk’s half-sister Gretchen and nurse Fiona are entirely excluded from the film, stripping away layers that added depth to Monk's character.
   • Added Scenes: The movie introduces new interactions, such as Centaura being a judge on a literary panel, adding nuance but also serving as "spoon feeding" to the audience (23:53).

4. Character Development

   • The film condenses Monk’s multifaceted life, removing elements like woodworking and fishing, which Shad found tedious in the book.

Discussion on Characters

The hosts engage in a candid evaluation of both the book's and movie's characters:

• Best Character: Both agree that Monk is the standout character, with Shad awarding him his highest praise for his complex portrayal.

• Worst Characters: Linda Mallory, a character Monk repeatedly sleeps with, earns strong criticism for being insufferable and poorly developed (46:36).

Casting Choices and Opinions

Kaytee and Shad dissect the film’s casting decisions, offering alternative suggestions and expressing their preferences:

• Jeffrey Wright as Monk: Kaytee praises Wright's performance, likening it to his role in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, where he adeptly plays a "haughty intellectual."

• Tracee Ellis Ross as Lisa: While acknowledging Ross's talent, Kaytee feels the character lacked the necessary grit and suggests Regina King or Niecy Nash as preferable alternatives (32:10).

• Adam Brody as Wiley: Shad appreciates Brody’s portrayal but notes that his appearance as an "old dude" with a mullet felt off, suggesting Idris Elba as a more fitting choice (34:06).

Themes and Satire in Erasure

The discussion delves into the satirical elements of Erasure, emphasizing its critique of racial stereotypes in literature and the publishing industry's commodification of black voices. Kaytee articulates her discomfort with the book's extremity:

"There are two extremes of black life depicted here with very little in the middle... it feels like we needed more in the middle." (37:42)

Shad contemplates whether the satire shifts focus too heavily onto white characters, potentially undermining the novel's intended critique.

Awards and Reception

American Fiction has made a significant impact, securing an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and achieving high critical and audience ratings:

• Goodreads: 4.17 out of 5 stars
• StoryGraph: Kaytee rates it 4.25 out of 5
• Rotten Tomatoes: 93% critics score, 95% audience score
• IMDb: 7.5 out of 10 based on 107,000 ratings

Ratings and Final Thoughts

The hosts provide their personal ratings for both the book and the movie:

• Book:

  • Shad: 3.5/5 – Appreciates the satire but found many aspects tedious.
  • Kaytee: 4.25/5 – Enjoyed the written satire more than the audiobook version.

• Movie:

  • Shad: 7.5/10 – Found it well-adapted with an appreciated ending but not life-changing.
  • Kaytee: 8.5/10 – Enjoyed the film’s pacing and dialogue, despite missing certain book scenes.

Q&A Section

The hosts engage in a lighthearted Q&A, sharing personal fears and hypothetical scenarios related to the book:

• Shad’s Irrational Fear: Fear of garage doors falling and causing fatal injury (57:06).

• Katie’s Hypothetical Revelation: Concerns about unexpected children from her husband, reflecting the episode’s theme of hidden truths and dual lives (55:23).

Conclusion

Kaytee and Shad conclude the episode by expressing their appreciation for the discussion, teasing the next episode focused on The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. They invite listeners to join the "Currently Reading" podcast for more bookish content, ensuring fans that more engaging conversations are on the horizon.

Notable Quotes

• Shad Cascone on Name Changes:

  "Why was it necessary?" (14:01)

• Katie Cobb on Sister’s Death:

  "I feel like maybe they were trying to clean up the storylines. They were taking out things, weeding it down to just this central plot line." (11:01)

• Shad on Casting Jeffrey Wright:

  "I didn't know if that was maybe... [role] was just like a Harvey Weinstein type." (34:15)

• Katie on Satire's Extremes:

  "There are two extremes of black life depicted here with very little in the middle." (37:42)

This episode offers a thorough examination of Erasure and American Fiction, enriched by the hosts' thoughtful critiques and personal insights, making it a valuable listen for both fans of the book and movie enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of adaptation dynamics.