Jane Oldenburg
asked
Cherise Wolas:
Hi Cherise! I have no idea how you are able to read so much! I am wondering if you can recommend two books that have really made an impression on you -- two that you'll always count on your top ten list and perhaps influenced YOUR book? Thanks!
Cherise Wolas
Hi Jane!
Thank you for being my very first question here!
I think I was born with this particular superpower—to read voraciously and retain what I read, and I feel so lucky to have it.
Two books that have made a great impression on me in the last few years are 2666 by Roberto Bolano, his final book before he died, and The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez. Both are South American writers. Bolano was Chilean, Vasquez is Colombian.
2666 is massive, 900 pages, with a title that remains elusive (though apparently explained in another novel). It is a five-part narrative, each comprised of different characters and stories. Each part is amazing, but it’s only at the end do you start to realize each is like the spoke of wheel, and you begin to see how the spokes unite, see that it is a wheel. It is a stylistically rich literary labyrinth that defies categorization, and yet, perhaps unbelievably, it is easy to read. It mesmerized me, and I plan to read it again.
The Sound of Things Falling by Vasquez, at 320 pages, seems like a novella in comparison. It is an exploration of the ways in which stories profoundly affect lives, and how the stories of others affect us. When I finished it, I promptly read all of Vasquez’s other novels and collections.
Neither of these marvelous novels influenced The Resurrection of Joan Ashby; I read them after writing it. But perhaps I’m so enamored with them (and am always recommending them) because their themes resonate intensely with me both as a reader and as a writer who explores narratives within narratives and the interrelationship of things. They are different but equally fabulous writers for whom the actual writing is as important as the plot, which it what I strive for too.
Thank you for being my very first question here!
I think I was born with this particular superpower—to read voraciously and retain what I read, and I feel so lucky to have it.
Two books that have made a great impression on me in the last few years are 2666 by Roberto Bolano, his final book before he died, and The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez. Both are South American writers. Bolano was Chilean, Vasquez is Colombian.
2666 is massive, 900 pages, with a title that remains elusive (though apparently explained in another novel). It is a five-part narrative, each comprised of different characters and stories. Each part is amazing, but it’s only at the end do you start to realize each is like the spoke of wheel, and you begin to see how the spokes unite, see that it is a wheel. It is a stylistically rich literary labyrinth that defies categorization, and yet, perhaps unbelievably, it is easy to read. It mesmerized me, and I plan to read it again.
The Sound of Things Falling by Vasquez, at 320 pages, seems like a novella in comparison. It is an exploration of the ways in which stories profoundly affect lives, and how the stories of others affect us. When I finished it, I promptly read all of Vasquez’s other novels and collections.
Neither of these marvelous novels influenced The Resurrection of Joan Ashby; I read them after writing it. But perhaps I’m so enamored with them (and am always recommending them) because their themes resonate intensely with me both as a reader and as a writer who explores narratives within narratives and the interrelationship of things. They are different but equally fabulous writers for whom the actual writing is as important as the plot, which it what I strive for too.
More Answered Questions
Joan S
asked
Cherise Wolas:
This book is fantastic-the imagery, the content., the beautiful characters. It really put me into a thinking spell-where I am going now? I'm 77 years old, and love my life, but I feel there's so much more. I'll just have to dig deep and find it. Thanks so much for a spectacular read-it consumed 4 days of my life-enjoyed every minute!!
Ilene Harris
asked
Cherise Wolas:
I loved The Resurrection of Joan Ashby, especially a story of family and all the short stories she wrote about, I especially liked the one about the twins, when they were thrown out of their house, what happened to them? That could really be a book, Please write more books. I can't wait to read them.
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