Hernan Diaz’s New Novel Isn’t a Dystopia

Hernan Diaz, author of the Pulitzer-winning novel *Trust*, addresses questions regarding his work’s genre by refuting labels such as dystopia and post-apocalyptic, arguing that his novel *Ply* depicts a new way of life rather than an apocalypse. Diaz posits that society has lost fundamental constructs like the social safety net, rule of law, healthcare, and education, which are now understood as human constructs rather than natural realities. The narrative centers on a protagonist, a "pincher," who deals with a power struggle involving electricity distribution and battery technology among local figures. Diaz describes his writing style as blending plot-centric narrative with social theory, asserting that the novel explores themes of freedom in dissolution and paranoia mirroring religion. Furthermore, the narrative touches upon the nature of subjectivity, exploring what lies between individuals when fundamental societal structures dissolve. The author details the research process for *Ply*, including an experience seeking scientific knowledge through interaction with physicists, and discusses his skepticism toward nostalgia as a reactionary force.

The narrative skillfully juxtaposes concrete plot mechanics—the pincher's struggle over power—with abstract philosophical inquiry concerning social constructs and consciousness. The repeated focus on historical fragmentation and the concept of "lost things" suggests an underlying concern with the instability of established systems, moving beyond simple genre categorization to examine ontological shifts in human experience. Diaz’s method, blending adventure with social theory derived from his academic interests and personal experience (like studying the age gap between characters), creates a texture where historical memory is not just revisited but actively questioned as a form of subjective longing. The assertion that political nostalgia is reactionary, contrasting it with the "childhood" nostalgia tied to loss, points toward a critique of present-day societal formations, suggesting that true movement lies in recognizing and navigating the disintegration of established frameworks rather than seeking obsolete order. This pattern suggests a deep engagement with the tension between empirically defined physical reality and socially constructed meaning.