In this week's edition of Endnotes, we take a look at Bryan Washington's Palaver, a bighearted drama about a 30-something Houston man’s reunion with his estranged mother. In its review, PW says it "offers keen insights into human relationships."
Here's how the book came together:
Bryan Washington
“This was definitely the most challenging book I’ve written, structurally and narratively, but the easiest to navigate on the back end by far. I’d attribute that to FSG’s precision, thoroughness, and care. Questions concerning community, care, and story—particularly the ways in which these elements can be queered—were top of mind throughout the writing process.”
Danielle Bukowski
“I love to read novels built from short stories. The short story that began Palaver was a specific conversation scene and worked so successfully—but there was more for these characters to explore between each other and within themselves. I was excited to see how this conversation would build into a larger narrative world.”
Mitzi Angel
“The editorial process was a collaboration—not just with Bryan but between us editors. Jackson Howard and I knew that the book was largely itself already. The mood of the sentences, the subtle character development, the atmospheric pressure in the book: these were all there. We made a few suggestions here and there, but nothing very much.”
Na Kim
“Upon reading the book, Keita Morimoto’s Japan cityscape paintings immediately came to mind. The type is inspired by Japanese subway signage and tategaki, Japanese vertical writing. I think the painting captures loneliness and togetherness all at once.”
