News2Novel - Rick Rubin, Moon Race and Disney's Centenary #15
3 novel suggestions based on recent news
Hello! This is the 15th issue of News2Novel - the newsletter that suggests novels to read based on weekly news.
Why am I doing this?
The news cycle is a machine gun with unlimited ammunition. It fires 24-7 without relent.
It’s no wonder that we feel drained, divided and desensitised to the world around us.
But what if the news inspired, uplifted and deepened understanding?
News2Novel is an attempt to help us go beyond the surface of news, empathise and escape negative spirals.
Novels are capsules of time. They let us sit with events or emotions and become a witness to them. As we read, we move deeper into reality. A reality of our choosing; not one that is forced upon us by media organisations.
Cultural commentators love to speculate on the future of the novel. Through this project, I hope to show its timeless relevance and just how much it has to offer.
Most of all, News2Novel is about the joy of discovering great stories that may have otherwise escaped your consciousness.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
#RickRubin ➡️ The Story of B
“I have no technical ability. And I know nothing about music.”
That’s what legendary music producer, Rick Rubin told Anderson Cooper in a 60 Minutes interview that aired last week.
He went on to say:
“Well, I know what I like and what I don’t like. And I’m decisive about what I like and what I don’t like.”
The above clip blew up on social media, sparking a debate about the role of taste in creative endeavour.
If you’re curious about the fiction that has helped mould Rick Rubin’s artistic outlook, check out The Story of B by Daniel Quinn.
This was the novel he mentioned, when asked by The New York Times to name a favourite book that no else has heard of.
Published in 1996, the story follows a preacher in central Europe, whose followers call him B - and enemies call him the Antichrist.
B is chosen by a spiritual guide to learn about the history of human civilization and the consequences of its actions.
Through B's journey, the novel critiques the idea of progress and argues that humanity is on a destructive path. It presents a radical vision, challenging readers to rethink their most cherished beliefs…
#MoonRace ➡️ The Calculating Stars
Three companies are racing to be the first to land an uncrewed commercial vehicle on the Moon, in the next few weeks.
They all hope to lay groundwork for regular service to the Moon, opening up opportunities for governments and private companies.
However, this raises questions about lunar resources as there is no international agreement on the legal status of the Moon.
If space races are whetting your creative appetite, you should pick up The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal.
Set in 1952, the story starts with a meteor strike that causes mass destruction on Earth.
A mathematician named Elma York fights to become the first Lady Astronaut - to help colonize space, as a means of saving humanity from extinction.
She faces discrimination as a woman in the male-dominated field of aeronautics, but uses her mathematical skills to prove herself and overcome obstacles.
You might also enjoy my recent essay which explores related themes of space colonization and the importance of worldbuilding on Mars:
#Disney ➡️ Tom Swift and his Motor Cycle
Disney turns 100 years old today but the celebrations come at a time when it faces huge uncertainty about the future of its entertainment business.
Hollywood is being turned upside down by technological innovation. Take game engines for example: they are helping create virtual sets, thus lowering barriers to entry for filmmakers. Generative AI will lower the barriers further still.
Given the significance and context of the centenary, it’s a lovely time to resurrect a series of novels by Victor Appleton that were apparently loved by founder Walt Disney, in his youth: starting with Tom Swift and His Motor Cycle.
The adventure series follows a young boy who uses science, inventions and technology to save the day.
In Tom Swift and His Motor Cycle, Tom builds a motorcycle which he uses to compete in a race. Along the way, he faces many challenges, including sabotage by his rivals, but ultimately emerges victorious.
The novel emphasises themes of innovation, determination, and perseverance… Timely inspiration for Disney given its present circumstances.
Before you go…
Here are some final morsels and thoughts:
🔮 My next essay is about how VR will impact the novel. This tweet inspired some fresh thinking:
📚 Two books I recommend reading together are Novelist as a Vocation and Hear the Wind Sing - both by Haruki Murakami. In the first, he meditates on life as a novelist and shares the story behind his first novel, Hear the Wind Sing, which was published in 1979.
🎙️ Last week, I published a podcast with
about the magic of speculative fiction. He also wrote a wonderful essay on the topic:🗞️ Check out last week’s News2Novel about Chips, Lost Fishermen and Covid-19 in China
🙏 Based on feedback from my wife, Shaista, and
(who writes ), I tweaked the format of today's newsletter, dropping bullet points in favour of free-flowing text. I hope it's an improvement!📖 If you end up reading any of the suggested novels, I’d love to hear about it! Just drop a comment, reply to this email or tweet me @dhrupadkarwa
Have a beautiful week filled with fiction and possibilities! ✨
Dhru