American author Joy Williams: ‘The comfy story has got to change’

The novelist and short story writer on her new book about Azrael, the angel of death, her encounters with Raymond Carver and Richard Yates, and why fiction should be uncannyJoy Williams, 80, has written five novels and four story collections and is the recipient of numerous awards. Her most recent book of short stories, Concerning the Future of Souls: 99 Stories of Azrael (Tuskar Rock), was published earlier this year. Her work ranges from the philosophical examination of being, belief and morality to urgent engagements with environmental catastrophe; James Salter wrote of her that she belongs in the company of Céline and Flannery O’Connor. Born in Massachusetts, she now lives in the Sonoran desert.An earlier collection of yours was called 99 Stories of God, and now you’ve moved on to Azrael (the angel of death and transporter of souls) as the subject. What drew you to him?I read in a WS Merwin collection his translation of Hadrian’s deathbed poem to his soul – Animula vagula blandula – so sorrowful and succinct. The soul, a worthy subject. And Azrael has always fascinated me: he was death, but not death exactly. He was more a gorgeous creation of Islam. I picture him as responsible for all the souls of this ensouled Earth. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2024-10-19 17:00:20 UTC ]
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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Australian website labelled 'cruel and humiliating' for treatment of feminist author Roxane Gay

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[ The Guardian | 2017-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Cover Story: 'How to Fall in Love with Anyone'

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Oneworld buys story of Jean Moulin's betrayal

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[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookExpo 2017: More, More, More at the APA Author Tea

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookExpo 2017: Bawdy Jokes, Good Advice at Adult Author Breakfast

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[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author Paul Beatty faced a strangely racial interview in Australia

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[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Guardian | 2017-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Guardian | 2017-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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