The 92nd Street Y, New York - Joseph Finder with David Remnick: The Oligarch’s Daughter
Joe Finder shares his transition from studying Russian politics and being recruited by the CIA to becoming a renowned thriller writer. He initially pursued Russian studies and was approached by the CIA but found the prospect of being an analyst unappealing. Instead, he was inspired by thrillers like Robert Ludlum's works and decided to write his own. Finder emphasizes the importance of understanding the craft of thriller writing, which he did by reading and analyzing numerous thrillers, taking notes on their structure and elements. He also highlights the significance of research, sharing an anecdote about investigating Armand Hammer's connections to the Soviet Union, which led to his first non-fiction book. Finder's writing process involves setting deadlines, extensive research, and learning from feedback, as illustrated by his interactions with literary agents. His latest book, "The Oligarch's Daughter," explores the world of Russian oligarchs, informed by his deep understanding of Russian politics and culture.
Key Points:
- Joe Finder transitioned from Russian studies and a potential CIA career to writing thrillers.
- He emphasizes the importance of research and understanding the craft of thriller writing.
- Finder's writing process includes setting deadlines and learning from feedback.
- His latest book, "The Oligarch's Daughter," explores Russian oligarchs, drawing on his expertise in Russian politics.
- Finder's thrillers are informed by real-world insights and meticulous research.
Details:
1. 🎤 Introduction and Background
- David Remnick introduces Joe Finder as an exceptional thriller writer, expressing admiration for Finder's ability to craft engaging thrillers, a genre Remnick enjoys but does not fully understand the creative process behind.
- The conversation aims to delve into the excitement and craftsmanship of writing thrillers, suggesting a comprehensive exploration of Finder's writing techniques.
- Remnick humorously notes that aspiring to be a thriller writer is not common, highlighting Joe Finder's distinctive path from his upbringing in Upstate New York to becoming a renowned author.
2. 📚 Early Career and Influences
- The speaker grew up in Upstate New York and attended highly respectable colleges, influenced by a strong academic environment.
- Initially guided by parental advice, the speaker considered a traditional career path as a lawyer.
- A profound interest in Russian studies emerged during high school and college, shaping the speaker's academic focus.
- The CIA recruited the speaker due to expertise in Russian language and Soviet politics, highlighting external interest in these skills.
- Despite recruitment, the speaker decided against a CIA career due to the unappealing nature of Soviet economic journal translation work.
3. 🕵️♂️ Considering the CIA
- A 20-year-old was approached for recruitment by the CIA through a lunch meeting with a Russian teacher and another individual, highlighting the agency's recruitment strategies targeting young adults with specific skills.
- During the Vietnam era, CIA recruitment on college campuses was controversial and often viewed negatively, impacting the perception of such opportunities among students.
- The individual declined the CIA offer, not due to political principles, but because the work seemed uninteresting, indicating that recruitment efforts must align with personal interests to be successful.
- The surprise revelation that multiple people, including educators, were involved in CIA projects suggests a widespread, covert network of recruitment and operation within academic institutions.
4. 📖 Discovering Thrillers
- Robert Ludlum's thrillers are highlighted for their engaging storytelling, with group members finishing his book in about a day to a day and a half, underscoring the strong plotting and suspense in his work.
- Despite criticisms of Ludlum's prose being poor, his popularity illustrates that captivating narratives can overshadow literary quality in thrillers.
- There's a suggestion that literary thrillers can suffer when they become too focused on prose, potentially slowing the pace.
- John le Carré is known for his earlier works that are praised for their depth, but his later books, such as one reviewed for The New York Times, are described as 'uncooked.'
- The speaker speculates that a change in editorial oversight, possibly involving le Carré's son, might have impacted the quality of his later works.
5. 📰 From Russian Studies to Writing
5.1. Literary Style and Influences
5.2. Academic Background and Career Transition
6. 🔍 Investigating Armand Hammer
6.1. KGB Allegations and Moscow Investigation
6.2. Harvard Donation Attempt
7. ✍️ Becoming a Thriller Writer
7.1. Inspiration and Mentorship
7.2. Choosing a Writing Path
7.3. Self-Education in Thriller Writing
8. 📜 The Writing Process
8.1. Initial Writing and Feedback
8.2. Revisions and Representation
9. 🎥 Thrillers and Film Adaptations
9.1. Role of Agents and Editors
9.2. The Essence of Fiction
9.3. Writing Technique: Reverse, Reveal, Surprise
9.4. Prolific Writing Career
9.5. Understanding Russian Oligarchs
9.6. Research and Insights
10. 🇷🇺 Researching Russian Oligarchs
- A commentator criticized Russian corruption, specifically targeting the FSB and Putin's administration, during a live TV segment. The broadcast was abruptly cut, indicating immediate censorship and potential retaliation.
- Subsequent to the broadcast, the commentator's Boston office was targeted in a break-in. Intruders stole only computer mice and backup drives, suggesting a message from Russian intelligence rather than a random burglary.
- The FBI informed the commentator that the Russian GRU likely orchestrated the break-in to trace CIA sources previously mentioned, highlighting the serious threats faced by vocal critics.
- Safety warnings were issued to the commentator, advising against travel to Russia due to known criticisms and identification by Russian authorities.
- The situation underscores a broader trend where journalists and intellectuals, fearing persecution, are relocating to places like Berlin, Istanbul, and Armenia. This reflects a significant intellectual exodus from Russia.
- The narrative illustrates the heightened risk for regime critics, emphasizing that without protection from major institutions, they face severe danger, including arrest, in Russia.
11. 📚 Crafting "The Oligarch's Daughter"
- The novel is centered on an American man who unwittingly marries into a Russian oligarch family, with intelligence agencies trying to recruit him to spy on his father-in-law, creating a high-stakes narrative filled with tension.
- The protagonist is portrayed as clever and resourceful, with relatable skills like speaking some Russian, enhancing his role as a hero in a thriller setting.
- Detailed research included consulting with a yacht captain employed by oligarchs, enriching the story with authentic elements such as lobster tanks and submarines, adding realism to the luxurious settings.
- The plot was shaped by current geopolitical events, particularly the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which influenced the depiction of Russian oligarchs and their changing dynamics in Western society.
- The author successfully integrated contemporary geopolitical shifts into the storyline, ensuring the narrative remained relevant and engaging despite real-world changes.