Gabfest Reads | Look What You Made Me Do
Summary
On GabFest Reads, host David Plotz interviews author John Lanchester about his new novel, *Look What You Made Me Do*. They discuss the book’s themes of revenge, intergenerational resentment, and the power dynamics of narrative control between two female protagonists. Lanchester also shares insights on writing about money, his inspiration for a satirical cooking rant, and recommends recent reads like *Perfection* and *Drayton and Mackenzie*.
Topics discussed
Introduction and praise for John Lanchester
The origin and meaning of the book's title
Introducing the main characters Kate and Phoebe
The role of revenge and narrative control
Victimhood, storytelling, and self-perception
Genre: Psychological thriller vs. black comedy
Digital age, stalking, and online obsession
Character dynamics: Niceness vs. being 'pénible'
The name Phoebe and the Fleabag comparison
Reading the Yotam Ottolenghi cooking rant
Impact of being a social observer on friendships
London as a setting versus a character
Writing about money and the finance industry
The 'gangster' side of finance and cold logic
Comparing American and British finance cultures
Book recommendations: Perfection, Drayton & Mackenzie, Eurotrash
Closing remarks and credits
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