Susan Coll Weaves Reality And Myth In Her Journey Through American Folklore
Susan Coll, acclaimed novelist and literary voice, captures the balance of comedy and tragedy in her celebrated works.
Exploring The Blend Of Folklore, Humour, And Human Resilience In Contemporary American Fiction
Susan Coll shares insights on weaving folklore, humour, and tragedy in her novels, shaped by her bookstore experience, nonprofit work, and sharp critical eye. Her storytelling reveals depth, wit, and humanity.
Susan Coll, the celebrated American novelist, shares her reflections on writing, creativity, and the inspirations that shape her work in an exclusive interview with Reader’s House. Known for her sharp wit and ability to weave comedy into tragedy, Coll has published seven novels, including Real Life & Other Fictions. She has also written widely acclaimed works such as Bookish People, The Stager, and Acceptance, the latter adapted into a television film starring Joan Cusack. Her voice in contemporary literature stands out for its originality, blending satire, humanity, and myth.
“I’ve never been sure if it’s a gift or a curse, but no matter how tragic the subject, I wind up injecting humour into the narrative.” – Susan Coll
Folklore and Tragedy
Coll’s fascination with American folklore plays a pivotal role in her latest novel, which draws inspiration from the legend of the Mothman. The story captures the surreal blend of humour and sorrow, told through the perspective of a woman orphaned in the tragic West Virginia bridge collapse of 1967. By setting her tale within this strange intersection of myth, memory, and loss, Coll demonstrates her gift for uncovering comedy amidst darkness, offering readers a poignant yet whimsical narrative.
The Influence of Bookshops and Non-Profits
Her long-standing role at Politics and Prose Bookstore and her time as president of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation deeply inform her perspective on writing. Coll explains that working inside the “sausage factory of bookselling” reminds her to treat her work with balance, while also inspiring her with settings and characters that find their way into her fiction. Bookshops and literary non-profits, she notes, bring authenticity and humour to her storytelling, shaping both her themes and her characters.
Quirky Characters and Comic Absurdity
From eccentric bookshop managers to malfunctioning vacuum cleaners that “wanted to be a character”, Coll excels at crafting quirky yet memorable figures. Her ability to balance absurd humour with serious themes shines through novels like Bookish People, which originated in the tensions of real-world tragedy but evolved into a comedic exploration of human resilience. Similarly, her earlier novel karlmarx.com began with tragic inspiration yet emerged as a comic reimagining, a reminder of how Coll’s instinctive wit shapes her work.
A Literary Voice That Resonates
Coll’s contributions to The Washington Post and The New York Times have sharpened her as both a critic and a writer, ensuring her novels remain tightly woven and engaging. She acknowledges the challenges of keeping narrative momentum but embraces humour as her constant tool for storytelling. Whether navigating folklore, satire, or social commentary, Susan Coll continues to establish herself as one of America’s most distinctive and compelling literary voices.
Originally published in Reader’s House Magazine.
