State of Wonder
discussion
Live Video Chat with Ann Patchett
As a writer, how did you figure out how to structure your novels? In The Getaway Car you describe a college education (Grace Paley! Russell Banks!) Can you share with us how you managed to structure such wonderful works as my faves, Belle Canto and State of Wonder (which could only star Meryl Streep if made into a movie.) Thanks and best wishes!
q Ann, hello, and thanks for doing this chat! I've read most of your novels with my book club, and we have loved delving into the themes of truth and the definition of family that seem to be woven into most of your tales. From the swiped statue of the Virgin Mary, watered down medicines, and hidden maternity in "Run" to Parsifal's blatant denial of his family's existence in "Magician's Assistant", the lies run deep. Sissy's paternity in "Patron Saint" has little to do with what she considers her family, and love reveals itself in unexpected ways in "Bel Canto" and "State of Wonder". Is it your intention when writing to bring these concepts to your readers because we can all relate to them or because you'd like us to reconsider what truth and family really are? For me, the offbeat goodies you drop in - the big rabbit, jars of fish specimens, magical trees, stigmata on a cook, and the beauty of music - those are like the prizes in my Cracker Jack box! Thank you, really, for giving my friends and me hours of pure reading pleasure and wonderful evenings of book club discussion. Well done, girlfriend!
yes! Thanks for the invite :)
The characters are so real...I almost didn't finish State of Wonder because I didn't like some of the personalities so much but the writing kept drawing me in. Can you say something about where these characters come from and how you create dialogue?
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the novels of yours I have read. The Patron Saint of Liars is without a doubt my favorite. The settings for your novels are so distinct from one another. Can you tell us a bit about how you choose to set your novels in one place or another and how you research those settings? Thank you!!
q 0 minutes ago I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the novels of yours I have read. The Patron Saint of Liars is without a doubt my favorite. The settings for your novels are so distinct from one another. Can you tell us a bit about how you choose to set your novels in one place or another and how you research those settings? Thank you!!
Ann-Your work is never endingly gorgeous. Thank you. qOpening a bookstore at this point in time is truly an act of truth and beauty. What was your process in coming to such a decision? Again many thanks.
In Bel Canto you created many characters from different cultures and backgrounds. Can you tell how you could handle with them all without sounding stereotypical?
q I was wondering what sparked the idea for Bel Canto. Is this a topic that fascinated you? I love it because it was set in a Latin American country. Do you have a connection with Spanish speaking countries?
Dolores T q How is your partner and one-house living?When you spoke in Driggs, Idaho I used my air-miles to get there from Indiana and loved what you had to say. Looking forward to whatever is next from your creative mind.
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