Pain Killers | Jerry Stahl | Talks at Google | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Jerry Stahl discusses his new novel, Painkillers, and shares anecdotes from his career as a writer for film and TV.

Key Insights

• 🎥 Jerry Stahl started his career as a failed drug addict but found success as an author and writer for film and TV.
• 😷 Stahl's novel, Painkillers, is inspired by the history of medical experimentation during the Holocaust.
• 🛄 Stahl aims to make difficult subjects accessible to readers through storytelling.

Transcript

Read and summarize the transcript of this video on Glasp Reader (beta).

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Jerry Stahl's career as a writer begin?

Stahl initially worked as a failed drug addict before writing a book that was turned into a movie, leading to opportunities in Hollywood and TV.

Q: What is the inspiration behind Stahl's novel, Painkillers?

Stahl was inspired by the history of medical experimentation during the Holocaust and the connections to present-day events.

Q: How does Stahl approach writing about controversial topics?

Stahl aims to make his characters relatable and focuses on making difficult subjects accessible through storytelling.

Q: What is the significance of the title, Painkillers?

The title refers to the theme of addiction, both in terms of drugs and the pain caused by past trauma.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jerry Stahl introduces himself and talks about his journey as a writer and author.

• He reads a few passages from his novel, Painkillers, including a scene involving an ex-wife and a born-again hooker.

• Stahl discusses the inspiration behind his book, including the history of medical experimentation during the Holocaust and links to present-day events.