New York Times best-selling author Chloe Benjamin discussed her newest novel, “Under Story,” at the Madison Public Library on Sept. 9, kicking off the 25th annual Wisconsin Book Festival.
In a Q&A led by Benjamin’s close friend and fellow author Christina Clancy, the pair discussed Benjamin’s writing process and inspiration for the story.
“Under Story” chronicles the adventures of Eli and Laurel, a divorced couple reunited against their will on a research base in Antarctica. Together they must explore why the Arc, a visual disturbance, is behaving unusually whilst exploring a world quite different from their own.
For a plot of this magnitude, Benjamin drew inspiration from books like “Vita Nostra,” “His Dark Materials” and “A Wrinkle in Time,” as well as television shows like “The OA.” These books not only explore the niches of the science fiction genre but also push the envelope of what a marketable book looks like.
“I would so much rather do something original with my one life than write a formulaic commercial book that's an easy sell,” Benjamin said.
The idea for this novel originated from an article Benjamin read during the COVID-19 shutdown involving neutrinos behaving abnormally in Antarctica. Although the theory that inspired her novel was disproven, her curiosity had already taken hold.
“I think I'm interested in science for actually the same reason that I'm interested in dreams, intuition and spirituality,” Benjamin said. “All of these things are different ways of engaging with the unknown and with mystery.”
This is Benjamin’s deepest foray into science fiction yet, leading to a more collaborative writing and brainstorming process.
“I actually think that scientists and artists are much more similar than perhaps they are different,” Benjamin said. “When I've interviewed scientists for this book, in large part, they are game to brainstorm.”
Throughout her brainstorming process, Benjamin took a more hands-on approach. She shadowed Anne Pringle, a mycologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to help round out her main character, Laurel, a fungi researcher. The title of “Under Story” acts as a nod to Laurel’s profession.
“The understory in a forest is the part of the forest that is above the forest floor but below the canopy,” Benjamin said. “That's where mushrooms grow.”
Benjamin and Clancy also discussed the importance of dreams for both fiction readers and writers.
“I love making people have weird dreams,” Benjamin said. “So whether it's [my book] or someone else's, you can come to me for all your weird dream content.”
Although most of “Under Story” takes place in Antarctica, some parts are based around UW-Madison, where Benjamin graduated with a Master of Fine Arts. Throughout the novel, Benjamin features iconic places, like Picnic Point, the Lakeshore Path, Memorial Union, Tenney Park, New Glarus and Culver's.
Her connection to her former home base is clear in her writing.
“I never expected that I would be here until 2025,” Benjamin said. “Madison and Wisconsin are just so dear to me; I couldn't leave.”
Throughout the novel, Benjamin weaves her love for Madison with her love for the planet.
“It's really kind of a love letter to the planet, but especially Wisconsin,” Benjamin said. “The best place on the planet.”
