Patriarchy and the Novel
Idra Novey, author of a powerful new novel about a seductive and abusive politician in an unnamed “island nation” in Latin America, tells how the book’s story evolved.
“I did not set out to write a novel about patriarchy, but I live in one, and as I imagined the lives of the women in Those Who Knew, I was raising two sons and observing the gendered messaging they received at school and in movies and books that boys are supposed to be competitive and get their sense of value from defeating other people.”
Publishers Weekly, November 9, 2018.