NPR's Book of the Day: In-Depth with Liane Moriarty on Here One Moment and Women's Fiction

Release Date: July 16, 2025
Host: Robin Young
Guest: Liane Moriarty, bestselling author of Here One Moment

Introduction to Here One Moment

In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, Robin Young welcomes Liane Moriarty, the acclaimed Australian author known for her gripping novels such as Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers. Moriarty discusses her latest work, Here One Moment, a 500-page bestseller now available in paperback and soon to grace the screen, with Nicole Kidman attached to the adaptation.

Robin Young sets the stage by highlighting the book's unique premise: a flight from Tasmania to Sydney becomes the backdrop for a series of prophetic declarations about each passenger's death. "Have you ever looked around at fellow travelers and wondered, who are they? Where do they live? How about how do they die?" (00:02). This seemingly morbid curiosity forms the crux of Moriarty's narrative, transforming a routine flight into a mystical exploration of mortality.

Inspiration Behind Here One Moment

Moriarty reveals that the inspiration for Here One Moment stemmed from her own experience during a delayed flight. "I was leaving Hobart in Tasmania, and I was stuck on the tarmac, and I did not have a book that's crucial to the story, so I had nothing to read myself" (03:16). This moment of idleness led her to contemplate the lives of her fellow passengers and their eventual fates, mirroring her introspection on mortality fueled by personal and global events, including her sister's breast cancer diagnosis, the pandemic, and her own battle with cancer.

Reflecting on her mortality, Moriarty muses, "I think for some reason, it sort of blew my mind that that information would one day be available. It just wasn't available right now" (03:41). This existential pondering became the foundation for the novel's premise, allowing her to explore various facets of human fear and resilience in the face of death.

Exploring Mortality Through Fiction

Here One Moment delves into the psychological impact of knowing one's death date and cause. Characters grapple with impending doom, leading to profound changes in their behavior and relationships. For instance, a mother is forewarned that her baby will drown at seven, embodying "every mother's worst fear" (05:45). Similarly, a bridal couple learns that an intimate partner will kill them, introducing tension and suspicion into their union.

Robin Young probes whether these dark themes affected Moriarty personally. Moriarty responds with a blend of enthusiasm and caution, stating, "There's a little of both. When I'm writing fiction, there is glee in that. This is a wonderful premise. And I also want to explore people's feelings and real emotions" (06:51). She balances the excitement of crafting a compelling story with the emotional weight of portraying characters' traumas, acknowledging the delicate line between entertainment and empathy.

Defining Women's Fiction and Reader Relationships

A significant portion of the conversation centers on Moriarty's relationship with the label "women's fiction." Acknowledging the term's sometimes dismissive connotations, Moriarty shares her journey towards embracing it. "I realized that she meant that I wouldn't want to call my books women's fiction. And I realized that's because I felt that that meant that it was something less than" (09:46). This realization stemmed from societal biases where genres labeled for women are often undervalued compared to those targeting men.

Robin Young highlights a New York Times review that praises Moriarty for centering the "joys and tribulations of mid and beyond," challenging the stereotype that turning 40 leads to existential dread. Moriarty reflects on her predominantly female readership, recognizing the importance of representing women's experiences authentically. "If a man wrote a book and called it men's fiction, he would say, yes, I write men's fiction and I'm very proud of it, so why am I not? And then I turned around and thought, okay, so I should embrace the term women's fiction" (09:46).

Adaptation and Character Development

Discussing the adaptation of Here One Moment to the screen, Moriarty touches on the involvement of Nicole Kidman but remains non-specific about character assignments. "I honestly can't see one right away. Often when the screenplay's written, you might lose some characters or that there might be. And I'm not writing the screenplay myself" (10:40). She expresses excitement over the potential collaboration but emphasizes that the characters are her creations, leaving their portrayal open to the screenplay's evolution.

When asked about the enigmatic character of the "Death lady" who predicts passengers' deaths, Moriarty explains her dynamic character development process. "I loved writing the Death lady and getting to know her through the process of writing her and coming to understand why she did what she did and who she was" (11:27). Despite initial negative perceptions from readers, Moriarty is pleased that audiences grow to appreciate her complexity by the story's end.

Balancing Technicality and Emotion in Writing

Moriarty touches upon the challenges of writing emotionally charged fiction without becoming overwhelmed. She acknowledges the responsibility of portraying characters' traumatic experiences authentically while maintaining the technical precision necessary to continue writing. "I can get myself really tied up in knots about that" (08:05). This balance is crucial for Moriarty, who strives to evoke genuine emotions without allowing them to impede her creative process.

Final Thoughts and Legacy

As the conversation wraps up, Robin Young reiterates the significance of Here One Moment as both a bestseller and a cultural touchstone soon to be adapted for the screen. Moriarty expresses her gratitude for the discussion, emphasizing the joy and responsibility that comes with writing stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Conclusion

NPR's Book of the Day episode featuring Liane Moriarty offers a comprehensive exploration of her latest novel, Here One Moment, and her thoughtful approach to women's fiction. Through candid discussions about mortality, genre labeling, and character development, Moriarty provides listeners with a profound understanding of her work and the themes that drive her storytelling. This episode is a must-listen for fans of Moriarty and anyone interested in the intricate balance between fiction and real-life emotions.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew Limbong [00:02]: "Liane Moriarty is one of those authors whose books you see everywhere, not just bookstores, but big box stores, too."

• Robin Young [03:08]: "Have you ever looked around at fellow travelers and wondered, who are they? Where do they live? How about how do they die?"

• Liane Moriarty [09:46]: "If a man wrote a book and called it men's fiction, he would say, yes, I write men's fiction and I'm very proud of it, so why am I not?"

• Robin Young [11:06]: "What about that woman who gets up and points her finger at everyone? What were you exploring through her?"

• Liane Moriarty [11:27]: "A lot of readers say they don't like her in the beginning, and then they love her by the end, which makes me very happy."

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the podcast episode, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the discussions between Robin Young and Liane Moriarty. It highlights the key themes, personal insights, and the nuanced exploration of women's fiction, making it a valuable resource for those who seek to engage with the episode's content without having listened to it.