A Goodreads user
asked
Allison Pataki:
How did you get the inspiration to view the world through Clara's eyes? The book was amazing and hard to put down!
Allison Pataki
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and enjoyed Clara Bell as the narrator.
Clara’s perspective allowed 'The Traitor's Wife' to be a more well-rounded story. The novel would have been entirely different had I written it from Peggy’s point of view—both for the reader, and also for me as the writer.
Writing through Clara’s eyes allowed me to interject feelings like hope, optimism, insecurity, and idealism into the novel. All of the feelings that one might have felt as they witnessed a new nation’s fight for independence. Clara and Caleb are the consummate idealists—they completely believe in what the fight for American freedom would have been at its best. They believe in the new country, and in George Washington, and in the futures they see as possible. And they, like the new country, are young and naïve and incredibly vulnerable to forces that seem more powerful than they are.
Written from Peggy’s point of view, the book would have been a much more tense, much more uncomfortable experience, I think. With Clara as the protagonist, the reader can be introduced to Peggy, just as Clara is. The reader can be seduced by Peggy, but also repulsed by her. I hope that Peggy is the woman that you love to hate. Seeing it through Clara’s eyes, the reader has a front-row view to the scheming and the double-dealing (which can be really fun to witness), but also enjoy a refreshing dose of sincerity and guilelessness. Peggy is anything but guileless!
Clara’s perspective allowed 'The Traitor's Wife' to be a more well-rounded story. The novel would have been entirely different had I written it from Peggy’s point of view—both for the reader, and also for me as the writer.
Writing through Clara’s eyes allowed me to interject feelings like hope, optimism, insecurity, and idealism into the novel. All of the feelings that one might have felt as they witnessed a new nation’s fight for independence. Clara and Caleb are the consummate idealists—they completely believe in what the fight for American freedom would have been at its best. They believe in the new country, and in George Washington, and in the futures they see as possible. And they, like the new country, are young and naïve and incredibly vulnerable to forces that seem more powerful than they are.
Written from Peggy’s point of view, the book would have been a much more tense, much more uncomfortable experience, I think. With Clara as the protagonist, the reader can be introduced to Peggy, just as Clara is. The reader can be seduced by Peggy, but also repulsed by her. I hope that Peggy is the woman that you love to hate. Seeing it through Clara’s eyes, the reader has a front-row view to the scheming and the double-dealing (which can be really fun to witness), but also enjoy a refreshing dose of sincerity and guilelessness. Peggy is anything but guileless!
More Answered Questions
Beth
asked
Allison Pataki:
Oh, that's wonderful to hear that both books are being adapted for screen. Congratulations. I cannot wait! Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comments. I really appreciate hearing back from you. I finished the second book too, which I loved. I was in tears at the end, well probably a couple more times too, but what sad ending for such an incredible person. What is your next book on ?
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