This is the New Yorker fiction podcast from The New Yorker magazine.

I'm Deborah Treesman, fiction editor at The New Yorker.

Each month, we invite a writer to choose a story from the magazine's archives to read and discuss.

This month, we're going to hear The Stone by Louise Erdrich,

which appeared in the New Yorker in September of 2019.

One night, as she lay in the hot water,

she became acutely aware of the stone.

The smooth, empty scoops in its face

seemed profoundly interested in her. A gentle, thrilling ripple spread

through her body. The story was chosen by Karen Russell, who's the author of six books of fiction,

including Orange World and other stories, and the novel The Antidote, which was published earlier

this year. Hi, Karen. Hi, Deborah. So not so long ago,

maybe a year ago, Louise Erdrich read and talked about your story, Haunting Olivia, on this

podcast, and now you are reading and talking about a story of hers. Can you tell me a bit about

the affinity you two have for each other? Yeah, I'm happy to.

And I feel some anxiety too because I love Louise and I'm aware that I just won't have time to fully honor that love on this podcast.

She's been someone, she's so important to me long before I met her.

You know, I was reading her novels.

My best friend gave me the Antelope wife when we were in graduate school together and we're

still sort of pacing the docks anytime a new Louise story or book comes out.

I have the privilege of occasionally getting to text with Louise, which is such a delight.

And this story feels,

...