'Lessons in Chemistry' author Bonnie Garmus on her new novel 'Peck & Peck'

Poetry: A Vehicle For Expression in Crisis and Celebration

Bonnie Garmus emphasizes that poets are trusted because they almost always tell the truth and have no reason to lie to us, making poetry a genuine source of insight. She explains that people turn to poetry during pivotal life moments—funerals, weddings, graduations, and inaugurations—not only in times of sadness but also in times of happiness. Poetry is sought for meaning, direction, and understanding during both crisis and celebration.

The Novel Values Truth Over Facts in an Era of Scarce Reliable Information

Garmus notes that in an age where factual information is on the decline, poetry offers a space to discover honest emotions and perspectives, helping guide lives beyond just data or facts. Elissa Nadworny observes that the real center of Garmus's novel is not poetry itself but the idea of ...

Bonnie Garmus highlights the current societal trend pushing toward conformity, particularly through the influence of artificial intelligence. She contrasts this with the celebration of individuality displayed in unique characters and settings.

Modern Society Promotes Uniformity Through AI's Monotonous Content

Garmus observes that with the current AI generation, all the produced voices sound the same, resulting in monotonous content that lacks inspiration, creativity, and originality. In her view, AI-generated material fails to move audiences or offer anything unique.

Peck and Peck Magazine Setting Celebrates Uniqueness and Originality As Values Worth Protecting

Against this backdrop, Garmus points to the Peck and Peck building and its characters as exemplars of being one of a kind. She emphasizes that both the magazine's setting and the people within it are distinctive, serving as a reminder that uniqueness is valuable and worth defending.

Embrace Distinctive and Unique Qualities

Garmus stresses the importance of embracing what makes individuals a ...

In her novel "Peck and Peck," Bonnie Garmus uses a dog as a central narrative device, offering insight into human psychology and the complexities of identity. In conversation with NPR’s Alyssa Nadworny, Garmus argues that dogs reveal what makes us human.

Dogs Reveal Human Emotions and Psychology

Garmus notes that most people feel a strong fondness for dogs, with few exceptions. She explains that dogs comfort people by listening without judgment, providing solace simply through their presence and attentive ears. This uncritical companionship makes dogs an effective literary tool for exploring universal human experiences. According to Garmus, including a dog in a story allows deeper access to the human psyche, as people often project their inner feelings and seek understanding through their relationships with pets.

Naming the Protagonist After a Dog Sets Impossible Standards, Creating Tension

Nadworny highlights that in "Peck and Peck," the protagonist, Batter, is named after a beloved dog from his mother’s past. Garmus elaborates that this naming sets up impossible benchmarks for the character. Batter is continually compared to the dog through his mother’s exaggerated, highly improbable tales of its bravery. These comparisons weigh heavily on him, causing confusion about his identity and future. The situation is compounded by the fact that everyone consistently mispronounces his name, reinforcing his sense of alienation.

Garmus uses this narrative device to illustrate how misunderstood human experiences can be. She observes that being misunderstood is a common problem among people—it is easy to judge based on appearances rather than deeply listening and empathizing with someone’s background.

Improbable Dog Tales: The Gap Between Expectations and Reality

The improbabl ...

Essential: Read Dialogue Aloud For Character Rhythm and Individuality

Bonnie Garmus considers reading dialogue aloud a critical part of her writing process. She explains that after writing a page or a couple of paragraphs, she reads it aloud to capture the rhythm of each voice. This habit ensures that every character’s speech has a unique cadence that aligns with their personality and background. Garmus, experienced in writing speeches, notes that the only way to refine dialogue is to read it aloud and correct it until it feels authentic. She admits to performing all the character voices in her head or out loud, regardless of how embarrassing it might seem. During the COVID-19 lockdown, this practice became more noticeable to her husband, who invested in noise-canceling headphones to block out her vocal drafts.

Distinct Vocal Qualities Reflect Characters' Personality and Background

Garmus emphasizes that all her characters have different voices, and she actively ensures that each character sounds distinct. She adjusts and hones dialogue so that vocal qualities reflect the characters' personalities and backgrounds, further enhancing their individuality within the narrative.

Garmus Uses Humorous, Exaggerated Character Voices to Engage Readers Without Overwhelming Them With Tragedy

Garmus deliberately incorporates humor and exaggeration into her character voices, engaging readers while diverting from unnecessary emotional heaviness. She particularly enjoys writing over-the-top characters, such as the protagonist’s mother and Sultan Peck, who is described as "absolutely as mean as he could be." These larger-than-life personas serve both comic relief and narrative purpose, adding levity to her stories. Garmus asserts that, while she loves spending time with her characters and making the process fun, she avoids writing truly tragic novels because the world already holds enough hardship. Her intention is to entertain and provide enjoyment rather than add to emotional burden.

In a typical example, Garmus reads the mother’s dialogue, showing her over-the-top manner. When asked by her child if dogs can get anxiety, the mother exp ...

Editors Identify Submissions With Merit and Staying Power

Peck and Peck, a literary magazine renowned for its literary excellence, distinguishes itself with a panel of 39 editors. Each editor possesses a different specialty, allowing for comprehensive evaluation across various literary forms and voices. This unusually large editorial team is necessary to manage the millions of queries they receive, sifting through vast slush piles to identify work with true merit and substance. The editors' collective task is to distinguish between ordinary submissions and those with exceptional quality and staying power. Bonnie Garmus underscores that more editors are needed in the literary world—people committed to searching for substance and lasting artistic value.

Recognizing Literary Quality Takes Years of Dedicated Reading and Practice

The protagonist's lifelong commitment to reading poetry—beginning in childhood and continuing long after peers have moved on—cultivates a sophisticated literary judgment. This consistent engagement with poetry leads to deep intelligence and the ability to recognize enduring literary quality. Garmus highlights that discerning voices with lasting power, like those of Walt Whitman or Oscar Wilde, relies on readers developing timeless discernment and intelligence through years of practice. Such skill is crucial, as identifying literary work that will resonate for generations demands dedication and experience.

Diverse Editor ...