NPR's Book of the Day
Madeleine Thien's new novel 'The Book of Records' is a story that traverses centuries
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Overview
Madeleine Thien explores inherited wisdom and resilience through her novel, blending philosophy, history, and personal journey.
Takeaways
  • Madeleine Thien uses The Book of Records to weave ideas from Hannah Arendt, Baruch Spinoza, and Du Fu, examining survival, authoritarianism, and love for the world across centuries.
  • Thien reflects on how grappling with these thinkers' philosophies transformed her perspective, revealing that holding love for the world is both necessity and conscious choice.
  • Thien asserts that moral life is built on continual decisions—speaking out, protecting others, or valuing love—highlighting freedom and individual responsibility during social upheaval.
Mind Map
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Chapters
  • This is a chapter‘s title.
    The Fragility of Society and the Pendulum of ChangeThe Fragility of Society and the Pendulum of ChangeThe Fragility of Society and the Pendulum of ChangeThe Fragility of Society and the Pendulum of Change
  • This is a chapter‘s title.
    The Fragility of Society and the Pendulum of ChangeThe Fragility of Society and the Pendulum of ChangeThe Fragility of Society and the Pendulum of ChangeThe Fragility of Society and the Pendulum of Change
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