In The New Yorker Fiction Podcast, Deborah Treisman interviews Rachel Cusk about her choice of two short stories, "The Bible" and "The Stolen Pigeons," by Marguerite Duras. Cusk discusses Duras's influence on her writing, particularly her uncluttered style and ability to expand moments in time. They explore the autobiographical elements in Duras's work, the themes of reality and violence, and the characters' motivations, focusing on power dynamics, class differences, and the female perspective. Cusk admires Duras's honesty and her ability to portray the harshness of life without political motivations, highlighting her unique female voice and the moral questions raised in her stories.
