God Went Like That

“Yxta Maya Murray’s writing is a gift, and in God Went Like That she is at the height of her powers. This tale of Southern California’s long-hidden nuclear catastrophe is a deeply compassionate, intimate, and powerfully human work. With erudition, wit, wordplay, and an appropriate dose of outrage, Murray takes us on a dreamlike journey into lives turned upside down by the hubris of science. This is a beautiful and haunting book.” —Héctor Tobar, author of The Last Great Road Bum“A noted legal scholar and an accomplished novelist, Yxta Maya Murray has perfected a kind of writing that combines innovative fiction with challenging social analysis and searing political comment. This new book will tear the lid off a political and technological catastrophe that is as important to the history of Los Angeles as the water wars that were the source of Chinatown.” —Michael North, author of What Is the Present?“Murray shines with this ambitious project.” —Publishers Weekly

• I. IntroductionII. ResultsInterview with Carlos Mejia, November 22-25, 2019, Canoga Park, CaliforniaInterview with Elisa Oumarou, January 10-12, 2020, in Chicago, IllinoisInterview with Barry Scott, January 3-6, 2020, Burbank, CaliforniaInterview with Yaoxochitl Sudo, January 3, 2020, Palm Springs, CaliforniaInterview with Greg Wiśniewski, October 3, 2019, Simi Valley, CaliforniaInterview with Rudy DimatibÁg, November 6, 2019, Starbucks CafÉ, Mill Valley, CaliforniaInterview with Simon Graham, Simi Valley, California, November 11-12, 2019Interview with Monica RamÍrez, January 6, 2020, Montebello, CaliforniaInterview with Viola Singer, March 18, 2020, New York, New York, via ZoomInterview with myselfIII. ConclusionNotesAcknowledgements