Jenni
asked
Mary Beth Keane:
I just finished your book and absolutely loved the characters, your writing style and how the story crossed several decades. In particular, I loved Anne's insight from one of her doctors, that the beginning of one's life mattered the most, that life is top-heavy. Did you read this somewhere or create it yourself? It is very profound and I reread that section several times. Thank you!
Mary Beth Keane
I believe it to be true, so I put it in the mouth of Anne's doctor. Part of the reason I wrote AA,Y was because so many people in my life - in mid-life - were only just beginning to understand how their beginnings impacted the course of their lives. I've noticed it's a theme that comes up in pretty much all of my work. My new novel also takes place in Gillam, and where the characters are from, who raised them and how, shapes the way they respond to crises in their lives so many year later. Seems obvious but in my real life sometimes it takes me by surprise.
More Answered Questions
HollyLovesBooks
asked
Mary Beth Keane:
Given the closeness and yet distance between these two families central to the story line, this had almost a "Romeo and Juliet" feel to it. Is that a correct interpretation, or has it been too long since I've read R&J to recall? It also felt as though there was a psychological pathology to both families, although clearly to vastly different degrees. Thank you for this wonderful book. It was truly fantastic.
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