837: Thoughts About a Fictional Bakery
Summary
Helene Wecker discusses her third novel, *The Gates of Midnight*, which concludes the Golem and the Genie trilogy set in 1930 New York. The conversation covers her evolution from historical fiction to fantasy, the research process, and themes of assimilation and generational legacy. Wecker also reflects on the challenges of writing the middle book during the pandemic and the creative freedom of ending the series.
Topics discussed
Introduction and Helene Wecker's return to the show
The elevator pitch: Immigrants and mythical creatures
Origins: From family history to fantasy genre
Researching the immigrant experience and women's stories
Evolution of research methods from archives to digital
The challenge of writing the middle book: Assimilation
Defining the third book's theme: Generational legacy
The villain's journey and the magical flask mechanic
Expanding the world: New magical creatures and rules
Managing the cast and character arcs in the finale
Reincarnation and the internal conflict of the villain
Historical setting: 1930s and avoiding WWII
The Empire State Building and high steel workers
The speakeasy, nostalgia, and the end of an era
Jeva's isolation and the 'cursed' powerful being trope
The midnight calls: Connection between Jeva and Ahmad
Future plans and closing the trilogy
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