In advance of his appearance in Helena at MT Book Co. on Monday, February 2, 2026, David Guterson, acclaimed author of Snow Falling on Cedars (Vintage Books), discusses his latest novel, Evelyn in Transit (W. W. Norton & Company). For more information about this Helena appearance, and to RSPV to the event, go to the bookstore’s website. The event begins at 6 p.m.
About the book:
Radically open-minded, formidably strong, and unusually clear-eyed about herself and others, Evelyn Bednarz has always been a misfit. She’s easily bored, unsuited to life at school, asks odd questions about faith and time, and sees through conventions others take for granted. Seeking to be true to herself, she hitchhikes across the American West taking odd jobs.
In distant Tibet, another life unfolds as remote from Evelyn’s as can be: the life of a boy named Tsering, raised as a Buddhist monk in the mountains of Tibet, who eventually becomes a high lama.
And yet, their lives are strangely linked―as Evelyn discovers when a trio of Buddhist lamas show up at her door to announce that her five-year-old son Cliff is the seventh reincarnation of the illustrious Norbu Rinpoche, recently deceased. The lamas’ visit sets off a family crisis and a media firestorm over Cliff’s future.
This conversation has been edited for time.
About David:
David Guterson is the author of twelve books, including the novel Snow Falling on Cedars, winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and of the American Booksellers Association Book of the Year Award. His writing has been celebrated for its atmospheric intensity, narrative drive, and probing exploration of fundamental human themes—love, death, meaning, and morality among them. Guterson’s body of work includes six novels, two story collections, two works of non-fiction, and two books of poetry. He was born in Washington State and still lives there.
Mentioned in this conversation:
Tibetan diaspora in the late fifties, early sixties
Tibetan Buddhism and Zen Buddhism
A Saint in Seattle: The Life of the Tibetan Mystic Dezhung Rinpoche by David P. Jackson (Wisdom Publications)
Real-life inspirations for Evelyn in Transit, including the story of Dezhung Rinpoche and Carolyn Massey
Bay Area Beat poets Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen, and Allen Ginsberg
David Guterson recommends the writing of those joining him on his book tour:
Novelist Karen Russell, whose most recent book is The Antidote (Alfred A. Knopf); listen to Lauren’s conversation with Karen here!
Essayist and novelist Pico Iyer, whose most recent book is Aflame: Learning from Silence (Riverhead Books)
Novelist Steve Yarbrough, whose most recent book is Stay Gone Days (Ig Publishing)
Novelist Virginia Reeves, whose most recent book is The Behavior of Love (Scribner)
Novelist Emily Ruskovich, whose most recent book is Idaho (Random House; Nightjar: Stories will be published by Random House in July!)
Lauren Korn recommends:
Snow Falling on Cedars (Vintage Books) and Evelyn in Transit (W. W. Norton & Company) by David Guterson
Lauren is looking forward to reading:
This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin (Alfred A. Knopf)
Whistler by Ann Patchett (HarperCollins)
Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser, translated by Hildegarde Serle (Europa Editions)
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The Write Question team for this episode was Lauren Korn, host, co-producer, and editor; and Chris Moyles, co-producer, editor, and sound engineer. Ken Siebert engineered Tami's side of the conversation from the studios of Yellowstone Public Radio. This episode is supported by Montana Book Co., located in downtown Helena, Montana, since 1978, offering new books for all ages, vinyl records, and community activism. For delivery in Helena and shipping online, visit mtbookco.com.
The Write Question logo and brand (2022) was designed by Molly Russell. You can see more of her work at iamthemollruss.com and on Instagram @iamthemollruss.
Funding for The Write Question comes from members of Montana Public Radio; and from the Greater Montana Foundation—encouraging communication on issues, trends, and values of importance to Montanans. A hat-tip to Humanities Montana for supporting this program since 2008.
The Write Question is a production of Montana Public Radio.
