What happens to a revolutionary when the revolution never comes? Jonathan Lethem looks back at the history of the American left in his latest novel, Dissident Gardens, examining it through the life of a fiery New York activist, Rose Zimmer. He explains how the novel began as an exploration of his own family history, why he wanted to bear witness to those who had devoted themselves to radical ideas and the thinking behind the novel's layered construction.
According to the feminist and activist Lynne Segal, the palimpsest of experience which older people bring to the the world is an unavoidable part of a long life. She talks about the problem with ageing well, how growing old throws gender divisions into sharp relief and how literature allows us to step back from the cliches of the moment.
Reading list
Dissident Gardens by Jonathan Lethem (Jonathan Cape)
Out of Time by Lynne Segal (Verso)
