A.M. Homes', The Unfolding of an American Democracy [full uncut conversation]]

This October we’re putting together the first-ever Book Month on Laura Flanders and Friends— just in time for Indigenous People’s Day and election season. And every extraordinary book we’re featuring this month is more timely than ever. It’s our members that have kept this show available to hundreds of thousands of listeners and viewers like you, but it takes a lot of funds to keep the show flowing nationally. We do not take corporate or government underwriting, we rely on you. Go to: https://Substack.com/LauraFlanders Description: Salman Rushdie praised A.M. Homes’ novel, The Unfolding as, “A terrific black comedy, written almost entirely in pitch-perfect dialogue, that feels terrifyingly close to the unfunny truth.” In this episode, A.M. and Laura discuss political fiction, women writers and the unraveling of American democracy. Homes is an American writer best known for her novel The End of Alice, about a convicted child molester and murderer and Music for Torching, about the run-up to a school shooting. The Unfolding, written in the decade before the January 6th Insurrection, is similarly anticipatory. It follows a Republican donor plotting a mob assault on Washington. Also included, a clip of a solidarity reading at the New York Public Library in support of Rushdie. And a commentary from Laura on the reality journalism of the late Barbara Ehrenreich. “I definitely want to make work that is about prompting a conversation. That is not about creating characters that make people feel, I love that guy. You don't have to like them, but I want people to have questions, to debate, to wonder about things.” - A.M. Homes “Where we are right now, which I would say is very, very dangerous, is some people have lost track of what is a fact, what is actionable, what is real. The problem with that is…. absent any consensus on what is real and true, all bets are sort of off.”- A.M. Homes Guest: A.M. Homes: Author, The Unfolding These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters. Become a member today, go to https://LauraFlanders.org/donate Episode cut airs on community radio stations nationally (check your local station schedule) & available as a podcast Wednesdays. RESOURCES: *Books by A.M. Homes: “The Unfolding” , Find More About the Book Here “This Book Will Save Your Life”, Find More About the Book Here (*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.) Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes: • The Forgotten Coup, January 6th, & Small Town Americans on the Frontlines of Democracy Watch / Download Podcast • Feminists Writing History: Cherrîe Moraga and Adrienne Maree Brown Watch / Download Podcast • Survival Guide For Humans Learned From Marine Mammals with Alexis Pauline Gumbs Watch / Download Podcast Related Articles and Resources: • Why do so few men read books by women, by MA Sieghart, The Guardian Read Here • Stand with Salman: Defend the Freedom to Write. Event Featuring: Paul Auster, Reginald Dwayne Betts, Tina Brown, Kiran Desai, Andrea Elliott, Amanda Foreman, Roya Hakakian, A.M. Homes, Siri Hustvedt, Hari Kunzru, Aasif Mandvi, Colum McCann, Andrew Solomon, Gay Talese. New York Public Library Watch Here • An Unusual $1.6 Billion Donation Bolsters Conservatives by Kenneth P. Vogel and Shane Goldmacher, New York Times Read Here • A.M. Homes Wins The Women’s Prize Amidst Controversy, by Victoria Brownworth, Lambda Literary Read Here Book: American Psychosis: A Historical Investigation of How the Republican Party Went Crazy, by David Corn Find it here Featured ‘Music in the Middle’ of the Podcast: “Miracle” by Ultra Naté from her new album “Ultra” courtesy of Peace Bisquit Listen & Read More Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and Friends Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/ Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriends YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lg Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriends Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriends ACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel