We Want it To Be True: My Interview with Elif Batuman on the Rumpus

Elif Batuman was kind enough to let me interview her on the Rumpus. We talked about Mike Daisey’s narrative transgressions, his public treatment, and Tolstoy’s background research for War and Peace.

The five people who read this blog will know that these are issues I can’t stop thinking about — well, except for the part about War and Peace, that was news to me. Mike Daisey is a fascinating character, and his rise and fall illustrate some interesting things about the roles and perceived relative power of different kinds of storytelling. Thanks to Elif for taking the time, and for her brilliant (but fair!) critique of the This American Life retraction episode.

Oh, I should also mention that, not surprisingly, Elif Batuman is a delightful interview subject and correspondent. This was a really fun thing to do.

Here’s the link: http://therumpus.net/2012/04/the-rumpus-interview-with-elif-batuman/