Why We Can’t Stop Reading Thrillers
Summary
KQED’s Forum discusses the New York Times Book Review’s list of the 50 best thrillers of the 21st century, featuring editors Gilbert Cruz and Tina Jordan. They analyze why Gillian Flynn’s *Gone Girl* topped the list, exploring the genre’s broad definition beyond crime to include psychological and literary elements. The conversation covers reader preferences, the impact of technology on plotting, and notable adaptations like *No Country for Old Men*.
Topics discussed
Gone Girl named best thriller of last 25 years
Defining the thriller genre and its broad scope
The appeal of darkness and familiarity in thrillers
Mexican Gothic and the literary merit of thrillers
Transparency in the NYT list and listener reactions
Tana French: Character depth over plot twists
Guests' entry points into the thriller genre
Listener recommendations and dark humor in thrillers
Modern challenges for thriller writers and research
Stephen King's evolution and the TV adaptation of The Long Walk
Success of book-to-screen thriller adaptations
Top picks: Defending Jacob and We Need to Talk About Kevin
Reader vs. Expert lists and S.A. Cosby's rise
AI in thrillers and the moral core of the genre
Listener recs and the power of audiobook narration
Future genre lists and closing remarks
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