Author Karen Russell Awarded MacArthur 'Genius Grant'

09:22

September 25, 2013

Karen Russell is author of "Vampires in the Lemon Grove." (Michael Lionstar)

Karen Russell's debut novel "Swamplandia!" got critical raves, as did her follow-up short story collection "Vampires in the Lemon Grove."

Today she was named a MacArthur Fellow, and she'll receive a "genius grant" stipend of $625,000 over five years.

The MacArthur Foundation said that Russell's "haunting yet comic tales blend fantastical elements with psychological realism and classic themes of transformation and redemption."

We revisit our February conversation with Karen Russell about "Vampires in the Lemon Grove."

2012 interview and excerpt of "Vampires in the Lemon Grove"
2011 interview and excerpt of "Swamplandia"

Guest

Karen Russell, author and 2013 MacArthur Fellow.

This segment aired on September 25, 2013.