In this episode of Lit with Charles, I speak with Ben Pester, author of the novel The Expansion Project.

Blending corporate satire with surrealism, The Expansion Project follows Tom, who brings his daughter Hen to Capmeadow Business Park for “Bring Your Daughter to Work Day.” When Hen vanishes without a trace, Tom’s reality begins to unravel. Decades later, an unnamed Archivist pieces together the story from the ruins of the mysterious “Expansion Project.”

We discuss Ben’s approach to structure, surrealism, and storytelling, and the books that have influenced his creative process.

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Ben Pester’s four books were:

• Way Far Away, by Evelio Rosero (2024)

• Sweet Home, by Wendy Erskine (2018)

• Something Happened, by Joseph Heller (1974)

• Self Portrait in Green, by Marie Ndiaye (2005)