Writers Talking Writers: Téa Obreht on Daphne du Maurier and Kevin Young on Lucille Clifton.

This article features interviews with contemporary writers Téa Obreht and Kevin Young discussing the literary influence of Daphne du Maurier and Lucille Clifton, respectively. Obreht highlights du Maurier’s skillful use of the uncanny and ambiguity in her prolific body of work, noting her impact on genre fiction and her thematic focus on place and mood. Young reflects on Clifton’s poetic breadth, her engagement with community and identity, and her ability to convey profound themes through concise, often humorous poems. Both emphasize the enduring significance of these earlier writers in shaping modern literary expression.