Ben Lerner: Transcript (excerpt)

Ben Lerner's new novel follows a narrator visiting Providence to interview his former professor, Thomas, who is nearing the end of his life. The narrator's smartphone malfunctions, leading him into a dreamlike state where he struggles to capture the conversation. This situation unfolds into a lyrical exploration of memory, human connections, and the interplay between technology and storytelling. The narrative raises questions about what technology can and cannot record, the nature of conversation, and the boundaries of authenticity in storytelling.