Siri Hustvedt, born in Minnesota in 1955, received the Princess of Asturias Award for Letters in 2019. Her husband, the novelist Paul Auster, who had also earned the same prize in 2006, joined her on the trip to Asturias, just as she had done for him thirteen years earlier. Since Auster’s death in April, Hustvedt agreed to take part in two events in Gijón and Moreda de Aller as part of this year’s edition, which marks ten years since Leonor de Borbón became Princess of Asturias.
Asked how often she has visited Asturias, Hustvedt recalled three key visits: in 2006 when her husband was honored, in 2017 for the presentation of a work titled The Woman Who Looks at the Men Who Look at Women, and in 2019 to receive her own Letters prize. She said she has been drawn to Asturias and to Spain in general for reasons that go beyond the pages of a book.
She described the warmth of Spanish life and, in particular, the hospitality of this region, noting that those encounters have left a lasting impression of warmth and happiness. The simplicity of daily life here resonates with her, shaping how she sees the world and her work.
When asked whether the events this week in Asturias signify a reunion with the public and Spanish readers, Hustvedt spoke candidly about the personal loss she has faced. She acknowledged that Paul’s death represents an immense sorrow. Yet she also said that travel, meeting readers, and returning to a place she loves can be a source of solace, and she hopes it brings comfort to others as well.
She addressed a moment when news of her husband’s death leaked and how she felt the breach of privacy. She admitted being deeply upset by what she called an invasion of what should be a family’s right to share such news. Still, she reflected on journalism’s broader value, pointing to brave reporting that has shaped history. She cited her mother, who was born in Norway and grew up during the Nazi occupation, and reminded listeners that the press has long wrestled with sensationalism. Today, she warned, algorithmic media that optimize for clicks could push outlets toward even more intrusive coverage if not checked, risking infringements on private life as those platforms chase attention for profit.
The daily life in Spain, and especially in Asturias, leaves a sense of warmth and happiness
She was later asked whether the era of the public intellectual endures, someone who speaks out on public matters beyond personal interests and is heard. Hustvedt answered that in Europe the figure remains more visible than in the United States, but she cautioned that a culture of nuance and detail seems to be diminishing in many places. She argued for a balance where scholarly rigor, interdisciplinary dialogue, and philosophical reflection work together to address the planet’s big challenges, like climate change. She emphasized the importance of understanding the history of science to know how knowledge is built and why it matters, while also recognizing the need for thoughtful philosophical framing to guide problem-solving.
She added that today’s challenges demand both specialized expertise and broad, reflective thinking. The best solutions, she suggested, come from blending rigorous models with a sense for how these models fit into our cultural and ethical landscape. This, she implied, requires a dialogue across disciplines and a willingness to consider multiple perspectives.
If we let the algorithms decide which news to publish, we risk producing a dumber media landscape
On politics, Hustvedt acknowledged the moment’s weight, recalling the Trump era and the debates that defined it. Even in a period of mourning, she confessed to grappling with the political climate and the choices ahead. While she expressed concern about a potential return of Donald Trump, she also offered cautious optimism for Kamala Harris, remarking that Harris has run a convincing campaign and that she would bet on her if she were to bet a prediction at all. She stressed that a Harris victory would symbolize more than political preference; it would signal a decline in a trajectory that could have disastrous consequences for democratic norms.
She referenced a Supreme Court ruling that grants immunity to a sitting president, calling it a troubling development in the balance of power. Still, Hustvedt underscored that a future led by a capable leader, especially a woman of color, would carry profound significance for justice and representation. The prospect of such a presidency, she noted with restrained humor, would be a milestone many would welcome as a safeguard against autocratic tendencies.
Even amid sorrow, the interview preserved a sense of humor. Hustvedt spoke warmly of Spain, of the readers she has encountered, and of the enduring value of literature and thoughtful public discourse. The Asturias events stood as a bridge between a renowned author and the people who engage with her work, a reminder that everyday moments can still yield meaningful shared experiences.
Note: This article presents Hustvedt’s perspectives as conveyed in discussions surrounding her visits and public appearances in Asturias, and it situates her reflections within ongoing conversations about journalism, intellectual life, and democracy.