The Philosopher's Flight | Tom Miller | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Set in an alternative America in 1917, "The Philosopher's Flight" follows the story of Robert Weekes, one of the few men skilled in empirical philosophy, a form of magic. The novel explores themes of otherness and discrimination, while seamlessly blending historical accuracy with modern relevance.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] ERIN SODERBERG: Thank you very much for joining us today. We'll be talking with Tom Miller about his new novel, "The Philosopher's Flight." I actually went to high school with Tom. We're both proud graduates of Wauwatosa West High School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. And from there, Tom went on to study at Harvard, Notre Dame, and the Un... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌎 "The Philosopher's Flight" draws inspiration from the historical context of America in 1917, blending fantasy elements with real-world influences.
• ❓ The novel explores themes of otherness and discrimination, reflecting the experiences of various marginalized communities.
• 🧡 The story features a diverse range of female characters, each with unique strengths and abilities.
• 💦 Personal experiences, such as attending Harvard and working as an EMT, influenced the book's setting, character dynamics, and high-stress scenes.
• 🤩 Writing every day and setting aside time for writing, even with other commitments, can be key to completing a novel.
• 💪 The book has the potential to be adapted into a visually captivating film, given its strong visual elements and engaging plot.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the world of "The Philosopher's Flight" differ from our own?

In the novel, magic, known as empirical philosophy, was discovered 200 years earlier and has drastically changed society. Women are more skilled in philosophy, leading to gender tensions and discrimination.

Q: Are there any specific real-life events or movements that inspired the themes in the book?

The book explores themes of otherness and discrimination, drawing inspiration from various marginalized communities, rather than one specific group. The suffrage movement and experiences of women during World War I were some inspirations.

Q: Can you explain the role of Dean Murchison in the book?

Dean Murchison is a cartogromancer, a philosopher with the power of mapmaking. He often speaks in riddles or oblique terms due to a heightened sixth sense, making it challenging for others to fully understand him.

Q: How did your personal experiences, such as studying at Harvard and working as an EMT, influence the book?

Personal experiences, such as attending Harvard, studying history, and working as an EMT, helped shape the book's setting and inspired the character dynamics. The EMT experience, in particular, influenced scenes involving high-stress situations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "The Philosopher's Flight" is set in an alternative America in 1917, where magic, referred to as empirical philosophy, is a reality that has shaped society.

• Women are more skilled in empirical philosophy, leading to hostility and suspicion towards men who excel in it.

• The protagonist, Robert Weekes, breaks gender stereotypes by excelling in empirical philosophy, which leads to him facing challenges and discrimination.