NPR's Book of the Day: A Deep Dive into Katie Kitamura's 'Audition'

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, host Ari Shapiro engages in an insightful conversation with acclaimed author Katie Kitamura about her latest novel, 'Audition'. The discussion delves into the novel's intricate narrative structure, thematic depth, and Kitamura's creative inspirations, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the book's multifaceted nature.

Overview of 'Audition'

'Audition' is portrayed as a compelling family drama that intertwines tension and ambiguity, challenging readers to reassess early narratives as the story unfolds. Andrew Limbong, the podcast's presenter, sets the stage by highlighting the novel's ability to alter perceptions upon subsequent readings:

"It's one of those books where the information you learn throughout the novel changes your perception of what is actually going on in the beginning."
– Andrew Limbong [00:02]

Ari Shapiro elaborates on the novel's opening scene, emphasizing the deliberate ambiguity that Kitamura employs to engage readers:

"Everyone has a different understanding of their relationship. [...] She might be paying him for a date. This sort of ambiguity is at the heart of Katie Kitamura's novel."
– Ari Shapiro [01:38]

Themes and Narrative Structure

Kitamura discusses the novel's exploration of universal experiences such as parenthood, marriage, and love, highlighting the inherent contradictions within these relationships:

"At the heart of some very, very universal experiences [...] are these kind of inherent contradictions that can't really be resolved."
– Katie Kitamura [02:03]

The narrative structure of 'Audition' is described as disorienting and puzzle-like, intentionally avoiding a conventional resolution. Kitamura compares the novel's form to a "hall of mirrors," creating a sense of destabilization that mirrors the characters' internal conflicts:

"The book is, I think, quite disorienting. It's a little bit like a hall of mirrors, in a way."
– Katie Kitamura [03:32]

A significant structural element is the novel's split narrative, which Kitamura crafted to reflect moments of revelation and changed perceptions. Drawing inspiration from films like Hitchcock's Vertigo and Kore Hirokazu's Shoplifters, she aimed to enact narrative shifts through form rather than traditional plot devices:

"I thought, with this book, I wonder if enact that kind of change through form."
– Katie Kitamura [04:27]

The novel also features a metafictional layer where the narrator is an actress rehearsing a play divided into two disjointed parts, symbolizing the fragmented identities within:

"I'm really interested in the idea that in all of us are irreconcilable, incommensurate parts of ourselves that can't be turned into a single unified identity."
– Katie Kitamura [05:19]

Author's Intent and Inspiration

Kitamura articulates her intention to move away from storytelling that seeks to solve a puzzle, contrasting her approach with that of mystery writers like Agatha Christie. Instead of providing clear answers, she designed 'Audition' to invite multiple interpretations, allowing the novel to be read in various ways akin to a "rabbit duck" illusion:

"It's very much a kind of book that's meant to be interpreted, it's been designed so that it can be read in two or three or maybe even four different ways."
– Katie Kitamura [06:10]

Reflecting on her childhood affinity for mystery novels, Kitamura acknowledges the influence of form over content in her writing, emphasizing that the novel's ambiguity is intentional and central to its impact:

"I didn't want it to be like the reader had to figure out something that I was withholding from them."
– Katie Kitamura [06:13]

Reader Interpretations and Engagement

Shapiro shares his personal interpretation of the novel, describing it as teetering on the edge of a horror narrative without fully committing to the genre. Kitamura relates this feeling to her deliberate incorporation of horror elements, aiming to evoke moments where the familiar becomes unrecognizable, thereby unsettling the reader:

"The real moment of horror [...] is when you look at something you think you know, and it looks unrecognizable."
– Katie Kitamura [08:11]

This approach aligns with Kitamura's goal of creating a space where both she and the reader can explore the novel's dual narratives, fostering a dynamic and interactive reading experience:

"I really thought of it as an invitation to the reader. [...] make this book alongside me."
– Katie Kitamura [07:23]

Conclusion

Katie Kitamura's 'Audition' emerges as a thoughtfully constructed novel that challenges conventional storytelling through its fragmented structure and thematic complexity. The conversation on NPR's Book of the Day underscores the novel's capacity to engage readers in a multifaceted dialogue, inviting diverse interpretations and reflections on the inherent contradictions within personal relationships and self-identity.

For those intrigued by the intricate layers of 'Audition', Katie Kitamura's exploration of narrative form and thematic depth offers a rich and compelling reading experience.