Gabfest Reads is a unique monthly feature brought to you by the voices behind Slate’s Political Gabfest podcast. In a recent episode, Emily Bazelon had an engaging conversation with acclaimed author Tana French. They delved into how the Western genre played a pivotal role in shaping her latest crime thriller, “The Hunter.”
This conversation has been streamlined for better clarity.
Emily Bazelon raised a question about French’s shift in setting for her new book. She asked why French moved from the familiar streets of Dublin, often the backdrop for her stories about the city’s murder squad, to the quaint village of Ardnakelty, offering a stark contrast to the bustling city life.
Tana French shared her unexpected journey into the world of Westerns. Despite initially dismissing the genre, a recommendation led her to “Lonesome Dove,” which she found captivating. This discovery led her to explore more Westerns like “True Grit” and “The Sisters Brothers,” finding a surprising connection between the rugged landscapes of the American West and the west of Ireland. Both settings, she noted, share a rugged beauty and a sense of isolation from power centers, creating communities that forge their own rules for survival.
French then explored how Western tropes could be transplanted into the Irish setting. In “The Hunter,” she experimented with the idea of a stranger arriving in a small town, becoming a force of change. This concept, alongside exploring themes like the return of an absent father with grand plans, enriched the narrative with layers of complexity and intrigue.
The narrative also weaves in the allure of a gold rush, a theme commonly found in Westerns but uniquely adapted to the Irish setting. French was inspired by Ireland’s history of gold findings and imagined a storyline where the quest for gold brings hope, conflict, and transformation to the small community.
French appreciates the timeless quality of the gold rush theme, blending historical allure with modern-day references. This duality, she believes, adds depth to the setting of the village, making it feel both current and timeless.
The west of Ireland, with its modern yet deeply rooted community, serves as an ideal backdrop for French’s story. The landscape is dotted with reminders of the past, from ancient farmsteads to cottages abandoned during the Great Famine, blending history with the present and creating a rich, layered setting.
This conversation with Tana French not only sheds light on her creative process but also highlights the intriguing blend of genres and settings that make “The Hunter” a compelling read.