Barbara Kingsolver's latest novel, "Partita," is now available from Harper, following her 2022 bestseller "Demon Copperhead," which earned her the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Reflecting on the profound global response to her previous work, Kingsolver admits that it felt daunting to start her next novel. To avoid direct comparisons, she aimed to create something different, initially envisioning it as a simple love story that evolved into a richer narrative.
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"Partita" delves into the aftermath of a transformative love affair and the intricate realities faced by musicians. The plot centers on Livia, a middle-aged woman whose quiet farm life is disrupted by a surprise call from her first love. This conversation rekindles memories of their dramatic past and the buried secrets Livia has kept for years. The narrative unfolds across two timelines: one depicting Livia's past as a passionate music conservatory student striving to become a concert pianist, and the other showing her present life, where she reconciles complicated grief after her mother's passing while navigating her emotions spurred by her former lover.
Kingsolver drew from her own background as an accomplished musician, having attended DePauw University on a piano scholarship before shifting her focus to biology. She expresses satisfaction in writing about music, feeling it took her too long to explore this familiar theme. She argues the importance of art during economic hardships, stating, "Hard times are the times we need art the most," and poses the question of the role and necessity of music in our lives.
The connection between music and language is a significant aspect of Kingsolver's writing. She articulates that elements of language can be described musically, emphasizing cadence, pitch, intonation, and rhythm. As Livia has loved classical music throughout her life, Kingsolver found joy in illustrating how music aids the character in processing her emotions.
Kingsolver aims to make her work accessible, acknowledging that some may feel disconnected from classical music due to social or cultural barriers. She believes literary fiction can introduce readers to unfamiliar worlds. Livia, as both a musician and a daughter, grapples with feelings of not belonging, facing the pressure of returning to her community and reconciling her identity.
In "Partita," Kingsolver reiterates the theme of balancing individual aspirations with community ties. She references the Appalachian culture in which she was raised, highlighting the importance of collective identity. The novel's epigraph quotes Toni Morrison, encapsulating the struggle of surviving life's challenges while searching for hope.
"Partita" is described by Kingsolver as a sexy love story that also examines the pain associated with deep emotional connections. The title refers to a musical composition composed of various parts, and the novel is structured similarly, with chapters named after dance movements. Kingsolver desires for the narrative to make these disparate elements feel cohesive, reflecting the challenge musicians face in creating a unified performance.