Quan Barry is a poet, a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a published author. But she finds that travel is just as important as writing when it comes to her work.

Her 2014 novel, “She Weeps Each Time You’re Born,” was inspired by time spent in Vietnam, the land of her birth. Similarly, her new novel, “When I’m Gone, Look for Me in the East,” explores Mongolia, as telepathic twin brothers travel the country, seeking the reincarnation of a Buddhist master.

MPR News host Kerri Miller talks with Barry about her latest book on this Friday’s Big Books and Bold Ideas. While you wait, enjoy their 2015 conversation about “She Weeps Each Time You’re Born.”

Guest:

• Quan Barry is a writer and professor of English at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her latest book is “When I’m Gone, Look for Me in the East.”

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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