In The New Yorker Fiction Podcast, host Deborah Treisman interviews author Greg Jackson about Jennifer Egan's short story "Safari," originally published in The New Yorker and later included in her novel "A Visit from the Goon Squad." Jackson discusses his initial encounter with Egan's work, its scope and emotional impact, and the intricate construction of the story. The conversation explores themes of memory, the human-animal connection, and the structural elements within the narrative, such as the anthropological glossary and the role of the bird-watching ladies. They analyze the characters' motivations, the use of omniscient narration with flash-forwards, and the significance of time and perspective in the story's unfolding events, including the symbolism of characters like Kronos and Dean.
