Author Téa Obreht is set to return to the Wisconsin Book Festival, where she will discuss her latest novel, "Sunrise," on Saturday, October 17, at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. This marks her third appearance at the festival, following previous events for her novels "Inland" in 2019 and "The Morningside" in 2024.
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Obreht's new work revolves around Nina, a young woman trapped in a Wyoming ghost town, and unfolds across three timelines that explore themes of personal mythology and the narratives people create about themselves. The author suggests that the best way to approach the book is with minimal expectations, as she intends to subvert them throughout the narrative.
In a recent conversation, Obreht reflected on her fascination with mythology and its recurring role in her work. She expressed that while she enjoys varying her approach across genres, themes like mythology and death anxiety tend to reappear. Obreht remarked on how identity is shaped by the stories deeply embedded in individuals, perhaps referring to her earlier novel, "The Tiger’s Wife." For "Sunrise," she focuses on national mythology and its darker connections to nationalism.
Having grown up in the former Yugoslavia, Obreht developed a connection to American culture through Westerns, which informed her view of America as she later immigrated. She described how her understanding of Western myths evolved with her experience as an immigrant, allowing her to process the complexities of her identity.
The book features three interconnected timelines where characters confront their personal myths and the boundaries of those stories. Obreht noted that modern-day Nina is haunted by myths from her childhood, such as the belief in a limited number of heartbeats before death, echoing certain Balkan folkloric traditions.
The character Vargas, a gunslinger entwined in the propaganda of the American West, initially sparked Obreht's interest over a decade ago. She explored his narrative before realizing that Nina's story had to be merged with his for the novel to come together. This connection transformed the project into "Sunrise," which reflects her ongoing creative journey.
As her novel reaches readers, Obreht appreciates the diverse experiences they bring to the reading process, finding it fulfilling to hear how different scenes resonate with individuals. She also expressed her enthusiasm for returning to Madison, particularly enjoying the ambiance of the campus and the vibrant energy of the city in the fall.