The Jewish Literary Exchange
Jonathan Safran Foer
Dr. Margot Krebs speaks with American novelist Jonathan Safran Foer about his debut novel, Everything is Illuminated (2002). This event is part of the Jewish Literary Exchange discussion series. Everything is Illuminated is the story of a man (also named Jonathan Safran Foer) who travels to Ukraine in search of the woman who allegedly saved his grandfather’s life during the Holocaust. During his search, the man imagines the history of his grandfather’s birthplace and befriends his Ukrainian guide and translator, with whom he later corresponds. Foer explains how he was inspired to write the book during his own brief travels to Ukraine. He also comments on the book’s thematic discussion of divisions–in people, in places, and in stories. The discussion is followed by questions from the audience.
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