It started at Pizza Man. Jess and I got the last two seats at the bar. We stopped for a glass of cotes du rhone and an appetizer. I had my heart set on escargot, but sadly it's no longer on the menu. We opted for a charcuterie plate instead and were not disappointed. The mortadella was an unexpected treat and my best bite was the crusty bread topped with strawberry preserves and the creamy blue cheese or maybe with the brie and apple. I tell you it was a very close call.
We walked down the block to the book store where we were excited to hear Tayari Jones read from her recent bestseller. We were in the back of the 300 seat packed space because one glass turned into two so I couldn't see her, but it really didn't matter because I could hear her. She was warm and witty. It was such a treat to listen to her bring her characters to life. I actually just closed my eyes. She read from Celestial's POV on the day Roy is sentenced. It was a good passage to share. She divulged that she set out to write a story that highlighted the plight of African American men in the prison system. She was actually completing a fellowship studying the penitentiary system when she overheard two people in a mall. The impeccably dressed woman said to the fine specimen of a man, 'Like you would have waited six years for me?" He said, 'It doesn't matter." She imagined they were talking about being separated due to an incarceration and that's when the story was born. She knew she had a story because she could see both of their points of view.
It took her six years to write this novel. She stalled for an entire year 50 pages from the ending because she felt that Roy was hijacking the story. She wasn't satisfied with her first ending. She compared it to a lover you tell to leave, but you know will be back in your bed. When she finally figured it out and nailed it, she wrote the ending in a single day and has not looked back. She's over Celestial, Roy and Andre. She's a one book woman.
Celestial is her star. She admitted confusion over how readers sympathize more with Roy who she sees as selfish. The kind of guy who will go on and on about his day and never ask about yours. The fact that she chose an epistolary format stems from her love of letter writing and also her desire to shield the readers from the horrors of life in prison. We only know what Roy chose to write of his experience to Celestial. That was enough to understand the physical and emotional toll, but not the uncomfortable details. He spared her. She spared us.
She said she chose to not identify the race of the rape victim. It didn't matter in the story she was trying to tell. She didn't want that to muddy the waters. It's since become a bit of an issue as the screenplay is being adapted. Who will play this character? She wants shadows to keep her anonymous. Hollywood doesn't necessarily agree.
It became apparent to me how you put your blood, sweat and tears into a novel and then you have to let it go. She wasn't particularly keen on the title mainly because she is so rarely called an American without a prefix. That broke my heart. She's proud to be an African American, but struggles with how there is a distinction. Ultimately, her editor convinced her that the book stood up to the strength of the title. And of course, it does.
She admitted that the writing life is not easy, but when you've got the calling you really have no choice. Her books have been rejected and out of print. She feared the novel would never be published when she had help from a little angel named Judy Blume. Then she feared she'd have to return the advance she received for this novel rather than write a novel nobody liked, but she persevered. Judging by the energy in the room tonight, it is warmly received.
Write a couple times a week she told the writers in the crowd. Life is busy and that busyness is the genesis for rich stories.
Tayari told us how shocked she was to get Oprah's call as she was driving. She admitted to always answering blocked calls because she's nosy. She immediately knew it was for real Oprah because that voice. She pulled over and addressed her as Maam. She quickly moved from that sweet starstruck moment she found out An American Marriage would make the coveted book list to reminding us all to give and accept generosity from others. It's a gift to lend a hand, a shoulder, your name.
Her one and only muse is Toni Morrison. It's not surprising, but I was surprised when pressed she couldn't or wouldn't offer even one more name for her Mt. Rushmore of writers. I expected to hear maybe Zora Neale Hurston and cannot dismiss the similarities between Janie, Joe and Tea Cake's love triangle. Maybe a little nod to Alice Walker or Maya Angelou. But then I cannot argue that Morrison is a great.
We waited in the long line to thank her and get our books signed. She signed them with Choose Love. I liked that. It confirmed that's what Celestial did in the end. She chose love over duty.
As Jess and I walked to the car on the beautiful night, we decided that the only thing that would have made the night better would have been to have all the ladies from book club present.
No comments:
Post a Comment