Exploring ‘Stranger Than Fiction’: A Journey Through 20th-Century Novels with Edwin Frank

Q&A with Edwin Frank on “Stranger Than Fiction”

Q. What is your new book about?

My book, “Stranger Than Fiction,” explores how the novel has changed over the last century. This period brought significant shifts in literature. I analyze about thirty notable novels that reflect and shape these changes. One way to see the book is to think of the twentieth-century novel as a character that evolves from Edwardian style to a modern bomber jacket.

Q. Can you describe your role at New York Review Books?

As the editorial director of New York Review Books and founder of the NYRB Classics series, I primarily respond to emails. I also keep an eye out for unexpected and beautiful works to consider for publication.

Q. What books do you recommend?

I often suggest L.P. Myers’s “The Root and the Flower.” It presents a surreal portrayal of Akbar the Great’s India while exploring the depths of the human mind. The protagonist seeks Buddhist peace, but the cost is uncertain.

Q. What are you currently reading?

I am reading Henry James’s “The Bostonians.” This book dives into post-Civil War America, touching on its political, moral, and sexual issues, which feel relevant today.

Q. What book left a strong impression on you?

“The Lord of the Rings” greatly influenced me. I was drawn to heroes who faced significant challenges.

Q. Is there a book that seems to speak to you personally?

I found Vila-Matas’s “Bartleby & Co.” very engaging, though I felt it was almost too much for me.

Q. Do you have favorite book covers?

I appreciate the Penguin Modern Classics from the ’60s and ’70s, designed by Germano Facetti. They show elegant and simple design.

Q. What captures your interest in a book?

I value the language the most. The energy of sentences and paragraphs is important to me. The shift between the author’s voice and the book’s character adds another layer that I find compelling.

Q. Do you have a favorite bookstore memory?

As a child, I frequented a bookstore called Brillig Works. I still display one of their whimsical bookmarks in a frame.