Amy
asked
Mary Beth Keane:
The scene with Anne in the grocery store in particular was so vivid, I could feel it from her perspective and an observer in the store as well as the vignettes of Kate and Peter's marriage. Were the people or setting (or both) based on your personal experiences, or do you draw from other places?
Mary Beth Keane
The specific things that happen in the book are fiction, but the heart of the book is drawn from my life and the lives of my close friends and family. The town is based on the town where I grew up, and so it's familiar to me in that way. As for the small moments in a marriage - I think although the particulars of each marriage are different, most of the biggest challenges within marriage are ones anyone who has been in a relationship for a long time can identify with.
More Answered Questions
Lisa
asked
Mary Beth Keane:
I love your writing. In your book ASK AGAIN, YES, I love the way you fearlessly delve into the subject of alcoholism in all of its forms. In one of your comments, you share that you have some personal experience in this. I, too, grew up in a household where alcohol was prominently situated in our daily routines. Have you written anything more about growing up this way?
Jade
asked
Mary Beth Keane:
I worked as a Case Manager in a mandatory AOD Rehabiliataion Centre, and I was really impressed with your portrayal of addiction- specifically, the moment where Kate was contemplating how you define addiction, especially high functioning addicts/alcoholics. I really loved that you had this middle class, otherwise considered 'successful' family dealing with this issue. Did you need alot of research around this topic?
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