The National Book Award winner offers thoughtful insights on writing in the wake of the American Dirt controversy.
The result is a haunting treatise on the region’s painful history.
Apeirogonarrives at an interesting moment.
Public reaction is unpredictable.
But McCann’s beautifully and sensitively writtenApeirogonactively works to not sensationalize the crisis of the Middle East.
WhereAmerican Dirthas drawn criticism for his commercial thriller construct,Apeirogonis simply tender.
Below is the story ofApeirogonin McCann’s own words, as told to EW’s Seija Rankin.
I come from an Irish Catholic background.
I went on a trip to Israel and Palestine five years ago with a group calledTelos.
[Deciding to write this book] was a big commitment.
I wantedtheirstory to shine.
It took zero convincing Rami and Bassam; they were unbelievable.
They said, “Okay, as long as it’s true.”
By that they meant: As long as the essence is true.
And I truly believe that the essence of it is entirely true.
The fact that they’re coming on tour with me says it all.
This debate aboutAmerican Dirtis a powerful debate, and I love the fact that it’s coming out.
It’s necessary for us to talk about.
But guess what: So is the idea of cultural celebration.
That’s when the motives come in line with the way you shape your narrative.
And then I started to realize that from one story is all stories.
In that way we’re all complicit.
It was a tough book to write, to be honest with you.
The response, so far, has been uniquely positive.
And [that controversy] is something that I was wary of.
I think literature has the power to do that.
But on another level it took 35 years of a writing career.
And on another level it took 55 years, because I’m 55 years old.
We have to harness not only the grief, but some of the anger as well.
Then we will have done at least part of our job.
Because in the end, my philosophy is that it all comes down to stories and storytelling.
