Shoshana von Blanckensee

·34 min·3 clips

Shoshana von Blankensee's debut novel follows a young queer Jewish woman's journey from Long Island to 1990s San Francisco.

The episode begins with an introduction to City Arts & Lectures and its mission to present conversations with notable figures. It then introduces Shoshana von Blankensee as a novelist whose debut work 'Girls, Girls, Girls' explores coming-of-age, queer identity, and San Francisco in the 1990s. The host, Palomi Saha, an English professor and co-director of the Critical Theory program at UC Berkeley, welcomes von Blankensee to the KQED studios. Saha describes the novel's plot, following Hannah and her best friend/secret girlfriend Sam as they leave Long Beach, New York, for California. She frames the book as both a queer story and a deeply American coming-of-age novel, noting elements like small-town constraints, big dreams, risk, road trips, and reckoning. Saha then poses a question to von Blankensee about what kind of story she wanted to tell, whether universal or specific. The episode sets up a discussion about narrative intentions, queer representation, and the blending of personal and cultural themes. The setting in San Francisco ties into the novel's exploration of queer communities. The conversation is part of a series recorded before live audiences, though this specific recording is in a studio. The episode promises insights into von Blankensee's creative process and the novel's themes. It highlights the intersection of identity, place, and storytelling. The host's academic background in critical theory suggests a deeper analytical approach. The episode structure follows a typical interview format with introduction, plot summary, and probing questions. It aims to engage listeners interested in contemporary literature and queer narratives. The mention of 1990s San Francisco adds historical context to the discussion. The episode is part of City Arts & Lectures' broader programming on diverse perspectives. The conversation is poised to delve into the author's motivations and the novel's impact.

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