Susan Choi Discusses Her Novel 'Flashlight' and Its Themes

The Genesis of 'Flashlight'

• 💡 The novel 'Flashlight' originated from a short story published in The New Yorker in 2020.
• 🧠 Susan Choi's childhood memories of Japan and a string of unexplained events from the late '70s in Japan sparked her imagination for the book.

Crafting a Lengthy Narrative

• 📚 Choi initially aimed to write a short novel, inspired by Jenny Offill's 'Visitation,' but 'Flashlight' became her longest book.
• 🗺️ The extended length was necessary to provide context for American readers unfamiliar with the specific period of East Asian history explored.
• ✍️ The writing process involved a "layering or collaging" approach, with significant additions and research occurring during revisions.

Character Development and Themes

• ❓ The disappearance of the father, Cir, and the subsequent investigation by his wife and daughter, Louisa, form the core of the story.
• 👧 Louisa, initially mistrustful of adults, gradually opens up to a doctor, revealing a deep desire for connection and help.
• 🔦 The flashlight, a recurring object, serves as a significant symbol and the book's title, though its metaphorical meaning emerged organically during the writing process.

Naming and Identity

• 🎭 Cir adopts different names throughout his life, reflecting his complex identity as an ethnic Korean raised in Japan during a period of colonization.
• 🇯🇵 His Korean name, Sock, was replaced with a Japanese name, Hiroshi, for school, highlighting the need to conform to Japanese bureaucracy.
• 🇺🇸 Later, seeking a future in America, he adopts the name Cir, a choice inspired by Choi's own family's immigration story.

A Family Story

• ❤️ Choi emphasizes her intention for 'Flashlight' to be a family story, exploring how a small family copes with catastrophe and loss.
• 🗣️ Even Louisa's character was influenced by Choi's own childhood self, with her mother's feedback on Louisa's perceived obnoxiousness adding a layer to the character's development.