Emily Greenberg joins us this week. She is the author of a debut short story collection, Alternative Facts, one of the most remarkable literary, political, and sociologically urgent --- not to mention funny and smart --- books I’ve read lately. Inspired in part by the writing of Thomas Pynchon, by what passes for reality, and offering a media and political critique of our post-truth moment, it’s if the Zeitgeist had offered Greenberg a writing prompt, to which she carefully, elegantly, almost scientifically responded. In seven short stories, we are reminded of and challenged to reconsider “real” people and events, including Kellyanne Conway, George W. Bush, B.F Skinner, and the false emergency alert of a nuclear attack on Hawaii. Her work has appeared widely.  Lately Greenberg compiles the online “Lest We Forget the Horrors” series for McSweeney’s.

Music: Hot Nights by DreamAudio

The views expressed in this program are those of its presenter and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the values of the Community of Writers or its Board of Directors.