The New Yorker Radio Hour: Rachel Aviv on Alice Munro’s Family Secrets

Release Date: January 3, 2025
Hosted by David Remnick
Guest: Rachel Aviv, Staff Writer for The New Yorker

Introduction to Alice Munro and Her Legacy

In the episode titled "Rachel Aviv on Alice Munro’s Family Secrets," host David Remnick delves into the complex legacy of Alice Munro, celebrated as a master of the short story and the "Chekhov of her era." Munro's illustrious career includes publishing over 50 stories in The New Yorker and receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013. However, Munro's reputation faced scrutiny following revelations by her youngest daughter, Andrea Skinner, about childhood sexual abuse by Munro's longtime partner, Jerry Fremlin, beginning when Andrea was nine years old. This revelation presents a profound moral dilemma, juxtaposing Munro's empathetic literary prowess against her familial betrayals.

Rachel Aviv's Investigation

Rachel Aviv, renowned for her incisive reporting, conducted an in-depth exploration of Alice Munro’s life, unearthing the dark family secrets that shadowed her celebrated career. Aviv's piece, titled "Alice Munro's Passive Voice," is highlighted as one of the most remarkable pieces of reporting recently published by The New Yorker. The investigation not only uncovers the abuse Andrea endured but also examines the intricate dynamics within the Munro family that enabled such trauma to persist in silence.

Alice Munro's Writing and Qualities

David Remnick opens the discussion by asking Rachel Aviv about Alice Munro’s distinctive qualities as a writer. Aviv emphasizes Munro’s unparalleled ability to evoke shifting understandings with each reading, stating:

"There's something beyond the sort of incredibly astute descriptions of people's inner lives. There's something formally that she's sort of turned the short story into sort of stretch the limits of it." (01:42)

Munro's narratives often focus on the "silent and the silenced," exploring characters who grapple with life's revelations long after pivotal events have occurred. Her stories frequently portray poor rural upbringings, familial neglect, and sudden, horrific events, capturing the essence of human crises through a lens of profound empathy and formal innovation.

The Family Secret: Andrea's Abuse

The conversation shifts to the heart of the episode—the sexual abuse suffered by Andrea Skinner at the hands of Jerry Fremlin, Alice Munro's longtime partner. Rachel Aviv reveals that Andrea disclosed the abuse to family members when she was nine, but Alice Munro chose to protect Fremlin despite his written confessions.

Andrea's revelations came to light in a memoir published by the Toronto Star, where she detailed the prolonged abuse:

"I had been sexually assaulted by Alice's husband when I was very young, nine years old." (05:19)

Fremlin's obsession with Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita and his portrayal of the abuse in his letters further complicated the family's ability to address the trauma, leading to a long-standing silence.

Alice Munro's Response and Choices

When Andrea disclosed the abuse to Alice in 1992, Munro initially responded by leaving Fremlin and relocating to the west coast of Canada. However, within a month, she reconciled with Fremlin, a decision that profoundly impacted her relationship with Andrea. Aviv explores the psychological complexities behind Munro's choice to stay, suggesting a pattern of dependency and replication of childhood trauma:

"She was a participant in, like, a pretty psychologically abusive relationship... some sort of artistic distance that had become her mode of living." (09:33)

Munro's letters reveal her internal conflict, prioritizing her literary career and personal struggles over her daughter's well-being.

Impact on Literary Legacy

The revelation of Munro’s familial betrayals has ignited a debate about the separation of art and artist. Rachel Aviv discusses how this complicates Munro’s literary legacy, prompting readers and critics to reassess her work through the lens of her personal failings. The episode references Munro's own reflections on abandonment and artistic obsession, highlighting a pattern of self-sacrifice that seemingly extends to her familial relationships.

Interviews and Personal Reflections

Throughout the episode, excerpts from Andrea Skinner’s interviews and reflections provide a poignant glimpse into the long-term effects of the abuse and the family's collective silence. Andrea discusses her estrangement from her family and the emotional toll of watching her mother win the Nobel Prize while maintaining a fractured relationship:

"I felt like, oh, you know, the family really is happier that I'm not in it now." (28: F)

Rachel Aviv also critiques Munro’s biographer, Robert Thacker, for his decision to omit the abuse from his biography, underscoring the broader issue of accountability in preserving a public figure’s legacy.

Conclusion

The episode concludes by contemplating the lasting implications of Alice Munro’s actions on her literary contributions. Rachel Aviv raises critical questions about the ethical responsibilities of artists and the enduring impact of their personal lives on their work. The conversation ultimately challenges listeners to navigate the complex intersection of artistic genius and personal morality, leaving a lasting reflection on how Munro’s stories will be viewed in the shadow of her family’s hidden truths.

Notable Quotes:

• "I'm not sure that there's another writer where you can read the short story so many new times and each time feel like you're understanding has shifted." — Rachel Aviv (01:42)

• "Passivity is not something that modern woman is supposed to be content with... it's probably the overriding passion of my life just to see." — Alice Munro (11:00)

• "The most essential thing... to see what will happen." — David Remnick discussing Munro's philosophy (11:50)

• "My daughters want me to admit that I am with a pedophile, but if I did, it would be the only thing people know about me." — Alice Munro to biographer Robert Thacker (31:13)

Final Thoughts:

Rachel Aviv’s investigative reporting sheds light on the hidden fractures within Alice Munro’s personal life, offering a nuanced perspective that challenges the reverence traditionally afforded to literary giants. This episode serves as a critical examination of how personal ethics and actions can profoundly influence the reception and interpretation of an artist’s work.

For a comprehensive understanding of Rachel Aviv’s reporting on Alice Munro’s family secrets, listen to the full episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour or read the piece "Alice Munro's Passive Voice" on newyorker.com.