{
  "id": 3032887,
  "title": "Just as the world appears to be losing its appetite for books, William T. Vollmann pens a 3,000-page novel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/just-as-the-world-appears-to-be-losing-its-appetite-for-books-william",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-24T12:43:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation",
    "slug": "the-conversation",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/just-as-the-world-appears-to-be-losing-its-appetite-for-books-william-t-vollmann-pens-a-3-000-page-novel-288326"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The renowned author William T. Vollmann is set to publish a monumental 3,000-page novel titled \"A Table for Fortune.\" Known for his expansive and uncompromising writing style, Vollmann's 67-year-old career has seen him tackle significant global issues such as poverty, American history, and climate change. With his previous book, \"Rising Up and Rising Down,\" reaching over 3,000 pages across seven volumes, Vollmann's larger-than-life approach to his art has garnered attention.\n\nIn \"A Table for Fortune,\" Vollmann explores the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, delving into the chain of events and their consequences. The story is told from two perspectives - that of a CIA agent named DAVE and his son Matthew, who grapples with issues of identity, purpose, and freedom in America. The novel is a complex blend of ideas and emotions, reflecting Vollmann's deep sense of responsibility towards his subjects.\n\nVollmann's work comes at a challenging time for reading and publishing. His recent personal struggles, including the loss of his daughter, a drop in his publisher's support, and health issues, are compounded by a declining reader engagement and publishing industry challenges. However, Vollmann believes his novel is essential now more than ever, offering a nuanced exploration of the complexities of post-9/11 America and the potential perils of good intentions.",
  "summary": "His latest – and possibly last – book tackles America’s foreign policy before and after 9/11. Could it also serve as an antidote to the fragmented attention and political duplicity of our current moment?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}