We chat with debut author Ben Purkert about The Men Can’t Be Saved, which tackles a haunting question: What do our jobs do to our souls?
Hi, Ben! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I come to fiction writing through a love of poetry and stand-up comedy, and my novel incorporates a bit of both. In terms of bio, I’m from New Jersey and then left for a few years and now I’m back in New Jersey. Full circle, baby!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
All my favorite teachers were English teachers. They were the ones who made me want to read, who made me want to shape my life into something that resembled theirs. Nothing else called to me as strongly.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
First: Animal Encyclopaedia for Kids.
Inspired me: Catcher in the Rye. It’s cliché, but it’s true.
Can’t stop thinking about Benjamín Labatut’s When We Cease to Understand the World.
Your debut novel, The Men Can’t Be Saved, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Get ready for a downfall.
What can readers expect?
It’s a mix of Mad Men and Fleishman Is in Trouble. A young advertising copywriter has to pull himself back together after his professional life goes down to the tubes. It’s a dark comedy.
Where did the inspiration for The Men Can’t Be Saved come from?
I worked as a copywriter at a branding agency for a few years, and I wanted to capture what that experience felt like — the good, the bad, and the utterly surreal. I hope the novel resonates with folks who know all about agency culture first-hand.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing the scenes between Seth and Moon. They’re ostensibly enemies at work, but they have this incredible chemistry. If you’re a fan of Succession, it’s a bit like those scenes between Tom and Greg. You feel the sparks.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Quite a long one! I started on the novel roughly a decade ago. But I’ve also published a poetry collection, so I suppose I’m not entirely a novice. I’ve been reborn by genre!
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a new novel and another poetry collection. I’m also pulling together a syllabus for a course about The Poet’s Novel. I’m very excited about it.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
For a light-your-heart-on-fire novel: All-Night Pharmacy by Ruth Madievsky.
For a rip-your-heart-out poetry collection: Stop Wanting by Lizzie Harris.
