In the latest book by author Ben Lerner called “Transcription,” the protagonist accidentally drops his phone into the sink while on a trip to Rhode Island for a crucial interview. Despite not having a recording device, he proceeds with the interview with Thomas, his 90-year-old mentor and the father of a friend from university, known for his brilliance.
While the novel captures the conversation, the phone fails to do so. Lerner, in a discussion on “Bookends with Mattea Roach,” mentioned that the narrator revisits his school memories while preparing for what Thomas calls an “exit interview,” potentially the last recorded conversation with Thomas.
Exploring the power of fiction to convey truth, Lerner and Roach delved into themes of artistry and parenthood in the novel. The narrator’s reluctance to admit his lack of recording device during the interview reflects a mix of reverence for his mentor and a fear of accepting Thomas’s mortality and fragility.
Lerner further explores the idea that while the interview isn’t captured by technology, it is preserved in the fiction of the book, highlighting the unique capturing abilities of writing compared to modern recording devices.
The book delves into various forms of media, including newer technologies like cell phones and older ones like radios and books. It emphasizes how humans themselves act as mediums through which messages are conveyed, adding layers of complexity and emotional depth to communication.
The author also touches on the juxtaposition of being a good mentor versus a bad father and how these roles intersect. Drawing from personal experiences as an artist and a parent, Lerner explores the balance between artistic expression and parental responsibility, particularly in terms of the unpredictability of creativity versus the predictability of caregiving.
Regarding the balance between irony and authenticity in his work, Lerner explains that he is interested in irony that leads back to sincerity. He believes that irony, as depicted in “Transcription,” can enhance authenticity by acknowledging failures in capturing voices while still managing to convey meaningful messages through the book.
In conclusion, Lerner’s novel delves into complex themes of memory, mentorship, mortality, and the intricacies of human communication, offering readers a thought-provoking exploration of truth and fiction in storytelling.