Jennifer Egan Looks Back at 'A Visit From the Goon Squad'
Briefly

In the interview, Jennifer Egan discusses the unique structure of "A Visit From the Goon Squad," noting the challenges in categorizing it as either a novel or a collection. Most importantly, she highlights the significance of labels, both for marketing and for understanding a work, stating, 'Labels are great for selling, but I try not to get too caught up in them as a creator.' Her perspective illustrates the tension between commercial needs and artistic intentions.
Egan reflects on the challenges her novel faced in its early reception, elaborating on how audience perception influenced its success. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with readers and how initial hurdles made her more aware of the book's themes, saying, 'The early challenges gave me a deeper understanding of what the book wanted to say; it was a growing process for both me and the story.'
Read at Nytimes
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