Carrie Goodall asked Jesse Andrews:

As he was writing the book, was Greg aware that the whole process would be cathartic? There are a few points at the end of chapters when he says he hates writing about all of it. I guess what I'm asking is if, in your mind, Greg realized the process was cathartic or if he was just forcing himself to do it for the Pitt admissions people? He wasn't incredibly self-aware about his grief before Rachel died.

Jesse Andrews no, it's all very subterranean with him—he's pretty out of touch with his feelings, like a lot of boys his age. so no, i don't think he's aware that he needs catharsis—but the book is that need expressing itself. he hates writing it because it's so painful, but he's mistaken that pain just for free-floating ambient self-discomfort—a phenomenon that i think is actually kind of common but not often written about, and was hoping to capture believably.

flag