Angela Flournoy on Exploring Economic and Social Uncertainty in the Internet Age
Angela Flournoy, critically acclaimed author of The Turner House, joined The Center For Fiction to celebrate the highly anticipated release of her new novel, The Wilderness. The Wilderness follows five Black women in their twenties—Desiree, Danielle, January, Monique, and Nakia—as.
Angela Flournoy, an acclaimed author known for her novel The Turner House, released a new book titled The Wilderness in fall 2025. The novel follows five Black women in their twenties—Desiree, Danielle, January, Monique, and Nakia—as they navigate challenges related to purpose, friendship, and adulthood. Set in New York and Los Angeles from the late 2000s to the 2020s, the story explores how these women adapt to the uncertainties of modern life, including shifting economic and social conditions. Flournoy discussed the book during an event hosted by The Center for Fiction, where she was joined by authors Brit Bennett and Raven Leilani.
In the conversation, Flournoy emphasized the importance of money in contemporary life, noting that many people face financial precarity despite having other concerns. She criticized the tendency in fiction to reduce characters to their financial struggles, arguing that people who are broke still think about other aspects of life, such as friendship or purpose. For example, one character in The Wilderness inherits money but avoids thinking about it, while another has a partner with financial stability but still feels unfulfilled. Flournoy wanted to reflect the diversity of relationships with money and how these relationships evolve over time.
Flournoy highlighted the uncertainty faced by younger generations, whose expectations for the future differ significantly from those of their parents. She questioned how this precarity affects individuals' mental health and interactions with others. For instance, some characters in the novel pivot to careers like influencing or content creation to secure income, while others with financial stability feel pressure to find greater purpose or give back. This reflects broader societal shifts where traditional paths to stability, such as stable jobs or homeownership, are less certain.
Flournoy explored the impact of the internet and social media on modern life, particularly through the character Monique, who aspires to internet fame. Monique starts with a small blog and evolves into a podcaster, reflecting the changing landscape of online self-expression. Flournoy described the challenge of writing about online behavior, noting that it often feels cringe-worthy but is a reflection of how people narrate their lives publicly. She also discussed how social media blurs the line between personal expression and content creation, with even small-scale influencers feeling pressure to monetize their presence.
Flournoy was joined in conversation by Brit Bennett, author of the New York Times bestseller The Vanishing Half, and Raven Leilani, winner of The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize for Luster. Bennett and Flournoy met online via Twitter before meeting in person during Flournoy’s book tour for The Turner House. Bennett asked Flournoy about her experience writing about the internet, given its evolving role during the writing of The Wilderness. Flournoy’s work reflects her interest in how people navigate contemporary challenges, including financial instability and digital culture.
The Center for Fiction, a literary nonprofit based in Brooklyn, hosted the event featuring Flournoy, Bennett, and Leilani. The organization supports readers and writers through events, reading groups, writing workshops, and a bookstore. Its mission includes building community through fiction and offering resources for writers of all backgrounds. The event was part of the Center’s programming to engage audiences with contemporary literature and foster discussion about modern themes, such as those explored in Flournoy’s *The Wilderness*.
