Chad Harbach’s 'The Brightness' follows 'The Art of Fielding' to a new era

The publishing calendar for 2026 includes new works from Marlon James, Rachel Cusk, and Hernan Diaz. Chad Harbach’s latest novel, 'The Brightness,' has generated substantial interest among critics and readers alike.

The book serves as a sequel to 'The Art of Fielding,' which was released in 2011. That previous title received critical acclaim and achieved commercial success. 'The Brightness' takes place in the same liberal-arts college in Wisconsin but introduces new characters. The story is set in a contemporary era that includes a cameo by Lana Del Rey.

Harbach discussed the novel in an interview. He noted that readers of his first book often share a sensitivity or an interest in baseball. He also identified the work as a defense of liberal-arts education. He stated that the ideal of college is a place where individuals can spend time figuring out who they are. He described that search for self as a central interest in his writing.

Harbach cited three specific novels that influenced the creation of 'The Brightness.' He mentioned Edith Wharton’s 'The Custom of the Country' as a primary influence. He also pointed to Jane Austen’s 'Emma.' He described the protagonist of Austen’s book as brilliant and charismatic but wrong about many things. He said that mismatch speaks to the events in his novel. The third influence was Henry James’s 'The Portrait of a Lady.' He noted that the character in that book has a wide-open future that closes down in a chilling way.

Harbach recommended Eve Babitz’s 'Slow Days, Fast Company' as the next read for fans of his work. He called the book magnificent and lyrical. He said he rereads passages and is astounded by Babitz’s abilities. He also noted that Babitz’s life makes the reader feel square.

Parties play an integral role in the plot of 'The Brightness.' They are also a staple of college life as imagined by many. Harbach recently hosted a party at the offices of the magazine he co-founded, n+1. He described the event as incredibly fun. He said he had been away from New York for much of the past couple of years. He celebrated with friends he does not see often, including writers Sam Lipsyte and Rebecca Curtis.

The group projected a baseball game during the party. The Milwaukee Brewers were playing in the World Series. Harbach said he had not seen the team in the World Series since he was six years old.

The release of 'The Brightness' coincides with other major literary events. James Gleick’s book 'The Telephone' publishes on November 10. Eve Sneider’s biography of Janet Malcolm, 'The Absent Woman,' also releases on the 10th. The second installment of Cher’s memoirs arrives on November 17. A new TV series titled 'The Good Daughter' becomes available on Peacock on November 12.

Daisy Edgar-Jones recently stated that Jon McGregor’s 'If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things' is one of her favorite books. She has acted in many literary adaptations.