Arnon Grunberg
Words Without Borders

Human Interest

A Dutch weekly, Vrij Nederland, decided it was time for a double interview, with me and Jonathan Safran Foer.
We both agreed, so this Monday afternoon I traveled to the Grand Canyon Diner in Brooklyn. The place was suggested by Mr. Foer.
There is nothing grand about the Grand Canyon Diner, but at least the diner wasn’t loud. After ordering three coffees and a plate of fries for Mr. Foer, the interview could begin.
The interviewer, a woman who used to be a publisher but who decided later in life (not completely voluntarily)on a career change, started by pointing out what Mr. Foer and I had in common. I could feel that this was going to be a tough afternoon.
As I have declared several times in this blog, the interview is an awkward vehicle to generate human interest. I understand why Vanity Fair decided to inform the world in their latest issue that Mr. Cruise and his family have the choice of thirty-nine flavors of ice cream for dessert after their barbecues at Mr. Cruise’s resort in Colorado.
This is human interest in two words: thirty-nine flavors.
But the problem is that most authors don’t have an elaborate choice of ice cream after a barbecue. Most authors I know are happy to have more than one flavor of ice cream in the fridge. And let’s not forget all those authors who have to make a tough choice every day of the summer: barbecue or ice cream.
Mr. Foer was polite, rather intelligent, and he acted convincingly modest. That he took refuge in commonplaces is something that he cannot be blamed for.
Why say something about your work and life, when you know that there aren’t thirty-nine flavors of ice cream waiting for you? I have to admit that I didn’t believe a word he was saying, but even that is something we are all used to.
Mr. Foer declared that he had good experiences with love, and suddenly I was reminded of Katie Holmes declaring in Vanity Fair: “All I can say is the moment I looked into her eyes I felt like... Mom.” Rule One of the interview: don’t say anything, and don’t offend anybody.
All I can say is I looked into the eyes of Mr. Foer and I felt like... Jesus.


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