Publication Date: October 14, 2025
Print Length: 368 pages
Previous Author Publications:
On Animals (2021)
The Library Book (2018)
Rin Tin Tin (2011)
My Kind of Place (2004)
The Orchid Thief (1998)
Saturday Night (1990)
SYNOPSIS
In her memoir Joyride, Susan Orlean describes the lifelong joy she has experienced from the process of writing while detailing her success as a teller of out-of-the-way tales for The New Yorker. As she traces her writing career, Orlean recounts some of the unique stories that she has published while also sharing the challenges she faced in her personal life.
For writers, Orlean’s memoir maps out the creative process she follows and the instincts she trusts as she judges what makes a good story. For readers, Orlean highlights her delight as her quirky narratives reveal the complexity of our common humanity.
REVIEWS AND AUTHOR INFORMATION
Athitakis, Mark, “Susan Orlean, master of unusual subjects, turns her gaze inward.” The Washington Post, Susan Orlean, master of unusual subjects, turns her gaze inward.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How well does Susan Orlean turn her journalistic eye to her own life? Has she succeeded in making herself the subject of one of her stories?
What does Susan Orlean’s story reveal about the challenges she faced as she pitched stories that reflected her unique view on the world?
What were the steps Susan Orlean followed to find stories, to investigate them and finally to compose the story components into a narrative?
What is the magic behind Susan Orlean’s stories? What do her stories reveal about the hidden narratives around us?
