Hernán Díaz Explores Identity and Power in Dystopian Future with New Novel ‘Ply’
Hernán Díaz, the celebrated author known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Trust,” returns with “Ply,” a new book that delves into themes of power, identity, and selfhood. Set in a rewilded world, the story follows a resourceful young woman who uses her ingenuity to siphon electricity for underground punk shows in a city reminiscent of a future New York.
The protagonist of “Ply” is a skilled tinkerer, adept at manipulating technology in a world where traditional structures have collapsed. As Hernán Díaz explained in an interview with NPR, “The protagonist is a young woman… very intuitive as a sort of proto-engineer… she becomes a pincher, who’s someone who siphons electricity for the grid.” This character’s journey uncovers a conspiracy and leads to the creation of a machine with the potential to alter space-time and reality.
Díaz’s narrative weaves a complex tapestry of societal change, touching on the decline of modernity and the emergence of new social structures. “There is an epoch that is coming to an end,” Díaz notes, highlighting the painful loss of institutions like education and healthcare. However, he also sees hope in the new forms of community and family that arise, liberated from patriarchal norms, alongside a re-embracing of nature.
The novel’s setting embraces the concept of rewilding, a theme reinforced by Díaz’s research into areas like Chernobyl and the DMZ between North and South Korea, where nature quickly recovers in the absence of human interference. This juxtaposition of technology and nature is central to the world Díaz creates, as he argues that technology is not inherently at odds with nature but is an enduring aspect of human evolution.
Exploring the human drive for discovery and knowledge, Díaz believes this pursuit is “our most beautiful trait.” He reflects on how the more one learns, the greater their hubris, a theme that permeates the novel’s scientific passages. Díaz acknowledges the challenge these sections might pose to readers but insists they are essential to the novel’s emotional and aesthetic depth, drawing parallels to classics like “Frankenstein” and “Moby Dick.”
At its core, “Ply” is a meditation on selfhood and community. Díaz reveals that the novel’s exploration of identity emerged during the writing process, as he considered how technology and societal shifts influence our understanding of self. This theme is illustrated through the relationships of three women at different stages in their lives, offering a nontraditional view of family and connection that resonates throughout the story.
In his conversation with NPR, Díaz expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to discuss his work, saying, “This was such a pleasure. Thank you so much.” Through “Ply,” Díaz invites readers to ponder profound questions about power, identity, and the human condition in a world reshaped by change.
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