Ami

Ami asked Lily King:

Through a stroke of luck, I read Euphoria right before reading Elizabeth Gilbert's The Signature of All Things. And when I describe the book to friends I say it's a mixture of that and Ann Patchett's State of Wonder. Did these titles--or any others--inspire you while you were writing or revising?

Lily King I had already written several drafts before State of Wonder, and it was in edits when The Signature of All Things came out. Of course my first reaction was fear that these authors, two of my favorites, would think I'd stolen from them! I was in shock that they both had chosen such tropical and scientific settings too! But then I was just so happy to read them and enjoy them, and feel relieved at how very different all three books are. I think my greatest pole star for this novel was Old Filth by Jane Gardam. She gave me the courage to tell the story from Bankson's point of view. I love that book and have read it at least 3 times and recommend it to anyone who will listen.

More Answered Questions

Narci Drossos

Narci Drossos asked Lily King:

I absolutely immersed myself in Euphoria - although the cover description wouldn't have made me pick it up. I read it for ELLE. I think having read Under the Wide and Starry Sky helped me immediately "get" Euphoria. Do you find any parallels in the novels? What inspired you to write about women who were so far ahead of their time? I can't imagine having boarded a boat back then, destined for islands unknown......

Ivy Pittman-Outen

Ivy Pittman-Outen asked Lily King:

How were you able to manage the time frame in which the story takes place while bringing the story to a timely closure?

Ben

Ben asked Lily King:

Hey Lily! Loved "Euphoria." Congratulations on its success. A recurring theme in your work is an ambitious woman tethered to toxic influences. In "Euphoria," our heroine is both tethered and marooned. Was the claustrophobia of the setting a challenge or an inspiration for you? How did it impact your narrative? Thanks!

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