David Marchese

I just want to know, do you believe in karma?

And then- Does it operate on an individual level?

I don't think there is any karma on an individual level.

I don't know that...

I'm skeptical that people who have done evil in the world are necessarily reaping what they're sowing or aware of the ways in which they might be reaping what they're sowing.

Yes, yeah.

And so the last thing I want to ask you is I reread Civil War Land and Bad Decline.

And in the newer, some newer edition of it, there's an author's note where you write about where you were at in your life.

That's your first published collection, where you were at in your life when you were working on those stories.

And very beautifully, you talk about...

Even though you were, you know, in your 30s kind of struggling a little economically, having to ride your bike to work in Rochester in the winter, you know, just not easy.

You were aware at the time that it was kind of a magical moment in your life.

You had a young family.

You were, you know, sort of trying to make your way.

And I thought it was very interesting and moving that you were aware in 1995 or whenever that was that like, oh, this is a special time for these reasons.

And I wonder if you have any similar awareness about where you are now at 67 or are able to articulate what it is that is good about your life in this moment.

That's George Saunders.

His new novel, Vigil, will be out January 27th.

To watch this interview and many others, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel at youtube.com slash at symbol the interview podcast.

This conversation was produced by Wyatt Orme.