Episode 2213: Charles and Lily Bock on fathers, daughters and missing mothers
In December 2008, Lily Bock, the daughter of the novelist Charles Bock, was born. But Bock, the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Beautiful Children and Alice & Oliver, was a reluctant parent, tagging along for the ride of fatherhood, obsessed primarily with his dream of a writing career. However, when Lily was six months old, his wife, Diana, was diagnosed with a complex form of leukemia. Two and half years later, when all treatments and therapies had been exhausted, Bock found himself a widower—devastated, drowning in medical bills, and saddled with a daunting responsibility. He had to nurture Lily, and, somehow, maybe even heal himself.
Bock’s new memoir, I Will Do Better, is about this experience. It’s a confessional about heartbreak, parenting, and, above all, his love for Lily Bock. And to discuss I Will Do Better, already named one of the best books of Fall by Oprah Daily and People, Charles is joined by the now 15 year-old Lila Bock in a memorably intimate conversation about the challenges and joys of single parenting in the 2020s.
Charles Bock is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Beautiful Children and Alice & Oliver, and a creative writing professor at New York University. The father of two daughters, he lives in New York City.
Lily Bock is many things including the daughter of Charles & Diana Bock
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.
Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe
Trump-Epstein: Jason Pack on the Axis of Disorder
Stuck, Stuck, Stuck, Stuck: Maya Kornberg on Congress as a Four-Alarm Fire
No, It's Not Only Social Media: Ross Greene on Why Our Kids Aren't Okay
Fresh Hell at 3 AM: Peter Bale on the View of America From Down Under
Different Minds Are Great: David Oppenheimer on the Diversity Principle
The Silicon Gods Must Have Their Blood: How Public Venture Capital Might Kill Venture Capitalism
The Dangerous Myth of Neutrality Brian Soucek on Why Universities Should Take Sides
Progressive Populism Prevails: Charles Derber on How to Fight the Oligarchy
He Was Somebody: David Masciotra Remembers Jesse Jackson
Books Are Dying (Again): Bethanne Patrick on the Enshittification of the Book Biz
Protesting the Protesters: Bruce Robbins on the Protests over Vietnam, Gaza and Minneapolis
Mercy Costs Money: Emily Galvin Almanza on the Price of Criminal Justice in America
Two Years Till We're Cooked: The Death of White Collar Work and Other Human Things