Curated by André Bernard, former Vice President of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, In Conversation features great thinkers and influential voices whose contributions shape our culture today. Crossing the fields of politics, journalism, humanities, and the arts, these conversations will explore fresh perspectives that spark curiosity and ignite new ways of thinking about our most pressing challenges.
Join us for an unforgettable conversation with acclaimed novelist Kiran Desai, celebrating her Booker Prize–shortlisted novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. A spellbinding story of two young people navigating the forces that shape their lives—country, class, race, history, and the complicated bonds between generations—the novel is at once a love story, a family saga, and a rich work of ideas. This onstage discussion will explore the creative process behind the book, offering rare insight into the mind of one of our greatest contemporary novelists — live, unscripted, and in her own voice. Desai is the bestselling author of Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard (1998) and The Inheritance of Loss (2006), which won both the Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Born in India, she moved to the United States at sixteen and now lives in New York City.
The Mount wishes to thank Sheila Parek Blum and Christopher Blum for supporting this program.
IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION:
- This one-hour talk takes place in The Mount’s Event Tent, an open-air, 400-seat tent adjacent to the parking lot. Please be mindful of the weather and plan accordingly.
- In the event of extreme weather, such as excessive heat or severe thunderstorms, this program may be moved indoors to The Duffin Theater at Lenox Memorial Middle & High School, 197 East Street, Lenox, MA. All ticket holders will be notified by email at least two hours before the scheduled start time if a venue change is necessary.
- Seating for all programs at The Mount is first-come, first-served. If you have seating preferences, we recommend arriving fifteen minutes early.
- Accessible seating is available. To discuss arrangements, please contact us by phone: 413-551-5111 x5; or email: programs@edithwharton.org. For more information about accessibility, review The Mount’s accessibility webpage.
- A book signing will follow this talk. Books can be purchased at the event from The Mount Gift & Bookstore or in advance via Bookshop.org
- Questions? Email: programs@edithwharton.org; or phone: 413-551-5111 x2
