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PowellsBooks.Blog
Authors, readers, critics, media − and booksellers.

Guests

Powell's Q&A: Lorrie Moore

by Lorrie Moore, September 14, 2009 4:40 PM
Describe your latest book.

A Gate at the Stairs is a new-fashioned governess novel, which looks at a year in the life of the American Midwest, as viewed through the eyes of a young woman, Tassie Keltjin.

If someone were to write your biography, what would be the title and subtitle?

Lorrie Moore: A Life?

What fictional character would you like to date, and why?

I wouldn't date any fictional character, as I've done that before and it's really not what you might think. But I would like to pal around with the witty and lyrical Mercutio and try to keep him from getting killed.

Introduce one other author you think people should read, and suggest a good book with which to start.

I am interested in Rivka Galchen's Atmospheric Disturbances, a strong and unusual first novel.

Offer a favorite sentence or passage from another writer.

"Vanessa is her ship, her strip of green coastline where bees hum among the grapes."

—Michael Cunningham, The Hours

How do you relax?

Very carefully.

On a clear and cold day, do you typically get outside into the sunshine or stay inside where it's warm?

Oh, I love clear and cold and do go out in it.

Make a question of your own, then answer it.

Q: Why do you think we ask writers these questions?

A: I have no idea.

Recommend five or more books on a single subject of personal interest or expertise.

Some Slightly Overlooked Books Written by Brilliant People and, Yes, Personal Friends:

Amateur Barbarians by Rob Cohen

Gone Fishing: Ocean Life by the Numbers by David McLimans

Lies Will Take You Somewhere by Sheila Schwartz

The Dead Fish Museum by Charles D'Ambrosio

For Rouenna by Sigrid Nunez




Books mentioned in this post

The Hours

Michael Cunningham

Gone Fishing

David Mclimans

Atmospheric Disturbances

Rivka Galchen

Gate At The Stairs

Lorrie Moore

Amateur Barbarians

Robert Cohen

Lies Will Take You Somewhere

Sheila Schwartz

Dead Fish Museum

Charles D'Ambrosio

Romeo & Juliet

William Shakespeare

For Rouenna

Sigrid Nunez
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3 Responses to "Powell's Q&A: Lorrie Moore"

Melvil Dewey September 28, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Please don't besmirch potty mouths on this blog. Don't you know that our entire literary history is replete with individuals who had notoriously filthy pie holes. Back to the question at hand , anyone of the Valley of the Dolls characters would seem like an adequate fictional date. Those broads had a robust appetite for sex ,booze and good times. Not a bad recipe for a good date.

Bill Abendroth September 25, 2009 at 05:36 PM
MECRUTIO? The guy was like the worst potty mouth ever....You're going to bring THAT guy home to meet your mother? I think no!

goldenwordsmith September 23, 2009 at 11:06 PM
All the books shown above are fantastic (kudos to Moore for mentioning Charles D'Ambrosio!), and I know this book practically defines the author's image, but where is "Self-Help?" You can't publish an interview with Lorrie Moore and leave "Self-Help" out of the pictured books section. Her fans expect that book to be at the top of the list. And it should be.

Result(s) 3

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