Barbara Kingsolver’s New Novel “Partita” and Her Writing Process
Barbara Kingsolver, a celebrated novelist, shares her challenging start to writing, her fear of new work after a Pulitzer win, and the inspiration behind her latest novel, Partita. The book blends music and social issues, reflecting Kingsolver’s lifelong commitment to socially engaged fiction.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Barbara Kingsolver, the 71‑year‑old author of nineteen books and a Pulitzer‑winning novelist, admits that writing a novel is a long, winding process. She often drafts a hundred pages before she can settle on the first page, and even then she may rewrite the opening entirely the next day. The struggle is real, even for a writer who has spent decades honing her craft.
Writing a Novel Is a Labyrinth
When Kingsolver sits down to write, she looks for the right voice, the right tone, the “vein of silver” she wants to mine. She has tried dozens of openings for her new novel, Partita, eventually choosing three that echo musical terms: Overture, Prelude, and Allemande. The narrator of Partita, a former pianist, thinks in musical terms, and the novel’s structure mirrors a musical composition. Kingsolver joked about adding a “Note on the Music” that would introduce a listening list featuring Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Ravel, and Miriam Makeba, but she’s still waiting for the right moment to reveal it.
Life on the Farm and the Roots of Her Writing
Kingsolver’s home is a 240‑acre farm in southwest Virginia, a setting she has described in her memoir Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The farm, surrounded by maples, oaks, and poplars, houses her husband, a Border collie, guinea fowl, laying hens, and Icelandic sheep. It’s a place that grounds her, a place she refuses to leave unless she has finished a book. After finishing Demon Copperhead, she returned from a trip to Greece, where she taught a writing workshop in Patmos and toured the Pindus Mountains and Meteora monasteries.
Her family’s history is steeped in Appalachia. Kingsolver was born in Annapolis, Maryland, but grew up in Carlisle, Kentucky, where her father, a Navy doctor, opened a medical practice for the local community. The family lived simply, with hand‑made clothing and garden‑grown food. Kingsolver’s parents were active in the Disciples of Christ church and the Sierra Club, instilling in her a sense of stewardship for both people and the planet.
From Childhood to Pulitzer‑Winning Author
As a child, Kingsolver was a storyteller. She wrote characters and stories that evolved over time, and she was encouraged by her father to read classics like Robert Louis Stevenson and Jack London. She faced bullying and accusations of cheating in school, but she proved her talent by winning a regional essay contest after a teacher’s support.
Her first love was music. Kingsolver played piano and flute with her family, and her exposure to classical music came from a hi‑fi system at home. This musical background informs her latest novel, which intertwines the narrator’s piano aspirations with her political activism.
Writer’s Fear and the Power of Criticism
After the success of Demon Copperhead, Kingsolver experienced what she calls “writer’s fear.” She worried about whether readers would like her next book and how it would perform. A Substack post titled “Barbara Kingsolver Is a Fraud” triggered her to write again. The post questioned her background, her class status, and her connection to working‑class America. Kingsolver responded by reminding herself that her novels are socially engaged fiction, following the tradition of Dickens and Steinbeck.
She believes that the arts belong to everyone and that her stories can reach a broad audience. Partita, a smaller, more intimate novel, tackles abortion rights, healthcare access, and the question of who art serves. Kingsolver’s work often faces criticism for being preachy, but she sees her role as a writer who speaks to the moral urgency of contemporary issues.
What’s Next for Kingsolver?
While Kingsolver’s next novel is still in development, she remains committed to writing from her Appalachian roots. She continues to explore the intersection of music, politics, and personal ambition in her work. Her latest book, Partita, is a testament to her belief that art can illuminate social problems and inspire change.
As she sits on the porch of her historic farmhouse, sipping coffee and watching butterflies, Kingsolver reflects on the legacy of her family’s humble beginnings and the power of storytelling to connect people across divides.
Key facts
- Kingsolver struggles with novel beginnings, often drafting 100 pages before finding the right start.
- She uses musical terms to structure her latest novel, Partita, reflecting the narrator’s piano background.
- Her Appalachian farm grounds her work and influences her commitment to socially engaged fiction.
- A controversial Substack post sparked a renewed writing drive, illustrating how criticism can fuel creativity.
- Partita addresses abortion rights, healthcare, and the purpose of art, continuing Kingsolver’s tradition of moral storytelling.
Why it matters
Kingsolver’s approach shows how personal history and regional identity can shape a writer’s voice, offering insight into the creative process behind bestselling novels.
Frequently asked questions
What inspired Barbara Kingsolver’s novel Partita?
The novel’s structure and musical themes were inspired by the narrator’s background as a pianist and Kingsolver’s own lifelong love of classical music.
How did criticism affect Kingsolver’s writing?
A Substack article questioning her authenticity prompted her to confront her writer’s fear and ultimately write again.
Where does Kingsolver live?
She lives on a 240‑acre farm in southwest Virginia, a setting she frequently references in her memoir and novels.
Sources
- [1] newyorker.com — originally reported as “What Barbara Kingsolver Believes the Novel Can Do”
