Colson Whitehead, the celebrated author of 'The Underground Railroad' and 'The Nickel Boys', has crafted a captivating trilogy set in the vibrant city of New York. In this interview, Whitehead delves into his latest novel, 'Cool Machine', the final installment of the Harlem Trilogy, offering a unique perspective on the city's ever-changing landscape. With a blend of humor, insight, and personal reflection, he explores the themes of change, crime, and the enduring spirit of New York.
Whitehead's early memories of Harlem are vivid and poignant, painting a picture of a city grappling with its past and present. He describes the 1970s as a time of economic hardship and crime, where the city's decay was both a backdrop and a character in his formative years. This setting, he notes, is a common thread in any place we love, as we often superimpose our past over the present.
The author's optimism shines through when discussing New York's resilience and ability to reinvent itself. He points to Harlem's gentrification as a testament to the city's ever-changing nature, where young white folks, the great-grandkids of immigrants, find themselves in the same neighborhood their ancestors once inhabited. This dynamic, he argues, is a dance that will continue, a constant churn that keeps the city alive.
Whitehead's love for New York is evident in his choice of favorite places, from Veselka to the Kiev, and his appreciation for the city's cultural offerings, from Philip Glass to the Ramones. His coffee table, with its distinct mosaic, is a reflection of his personal taste and a nod to the ornate details in his books. The phrase 'It's harder to find a good coffee table than it is to fall in love' is a playful twist, attributed to Carney, the protagonist, rather than the author himself.
The Harlem Trilogy, with its interconnected novellas, is a testament to Whitehead's ability to weave deep research with rich narrative. Each book, he explains, is a zoom-out from the previous one, exploring different tiers of 'crookedness'. 'Cool Machine' serves as an epilogue, wrapping up the series while delving into structural corruption and the fallout from Freddie's death. The character of Pepper, a sociopathic yet lovable antihero, has become a fan favorite, offering a unique perspective on crime and family.
Whitehead's writing process involves playing music, with a 4,000-song playlist spanning various genres. This musical influence is reflected in the trilogy, where pop culture and song lyrics serve as a throughline. His last concert, attended in Berlin, was a performance by the orchestra 'The Knights', who covered 'Rhapsody in Blue', a piece that has now become a personal favorite.
In conclusion, Colson Whitehead's Harlem Trilogy is a love letter to New York, a city that never ceases to reinvent itself. Through his words, he captures the essence of a place that is both a character and a backdrop, a city that is both decaying and vibrant, a city that is both a mystery and a home. As he reflects on the trilogy, Whitehead's appreciation for the city's messiness and its ability to bounce back shines through, leaving readers with a sense of wonder and a deeper understanding of the city's enduring spirit.
