The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker

I like most of the stories, but sometimes the authors read so quickly that I have to slow down the narration. Additionally, some of the authors read their beautiful tales in a dull, robotic way - can they be encouraged to do their stories justice, and put a little inflection or tone into their narrations? I’m not expecting a master orator, but just a little feeling would really enhance the stories’ impact.

I love this podcast and its cousin, New Yorker Fiction. Since before the election, I’ve been listening to far fewer politics and news podcasts, and have found it wonderful to come here to hear stories by old favorite writers and writers unknown to me. I really enjoy the discussions of stories between the readers and the New Yorker’s fiction editor. Highly recommended!

This podcast delivers exactly what its title promises—new fiction from The New Yorker, brought to life by the authors themselves. There’s something uniquely intimate about hearing a writer read their own work; the nuances of tone and rhythm reveal layers of meaning that might otherwise go unnoticed. I find myself eagerly anticipating each new episode, and I listen to the stories as soon as they’re posted. The variety of stories is another standout feature. From poignant character studies to gripping narratives, each episode offers a fresh perspective. The production is top-notch, and the balance between the writer’s voice and the atmospheric sound quality creates a seamless listening experience. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of literature or someone who’s looking for an engaging way to explore contemporary fiction, this podcast is a treasure trove. It’s my go-to for moments of inspiration and reflection, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Subscribing to the New Yorker can be frustrating! So many good stories and reports to read and so little time. The ability to listen to these short stories while doing chores is a marvelous treat. It helps whittle down the ever growing pile of partially read magazines.

Overall, I LOVE this podcast and its companion New Yorker fiction read from the archives. Unlike the other podcast, there’s no discussion about these new stories. This can be a problem for me sometimes. I think I am a well read, university educated person with degrees in science and postgraduate education in business administration. But I truly struggle with some of the selections presented here. As an example, I wish that Debra Treesman or anybody (like maybe the author) would explain to me what I just listened to, and read the transcription of, in “Fairy Pools”. Honest to God, I was completely lost for the entire story. Every time I thought I had started to get a grip on some part of the narrative, the author takes off in another direction and drops you down into another dimension without a hint to help you bridge the gap. Other than the fact that it has to do with a trip to Scotland, I can’t explain anything about the plot or give a sensible summary of the story. Disjointed sentences, no matter how well constructed, still need at least rudimentary structure to make sense. I really want to know what the editor at the New Yorker saw in this particular story that made it worthy of publication.