Alex Bear
Alex Bear asked Matthew J. Sullivan:

Am I reading too much into it or has some of the characters from MBIB been named in memory of people who took solace from their depression in literature? Of course there is Plath, but perhaps Vilhelm Moberg, or John Kennedy Toole? Maybe I am missing some? Maybe I am making things up in the spirit of reading through a puzzling book?

Matthew J. Sullivan Hi Alex.
I love this interpretation! I wish I could take total ownership of it and say that it was my intention all along, but alas, not on any conscious level. (Except Plath, as you point out.) That said, I really was focusing on a cast of characters who used books to ward off their demons and shore up their identities, so maybe there's more to those connections, after all?
Thanks for the close reading, Alex.
Cheers.
matts
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More Answered Questions

Isaías
Isaías asked Matthew J. Sullivan:

What are you workin on right now? Bright Ideas was one of my favourite books of last year!

Jack
Jack asked Matthew J. Sullivan:

Matthew, Has MATBIB been optioned for a movie? I so want to see this on the screen. Wonderful story. Jack

Mikki
Mikki asked Matthew J. Sullivan:

Not a question just wanted to let you know that I am enjoying your book. I have only just started it but I could tell that it was going to be right up my alley. The prose is beautiful and the story line, I can tell, is going to get pretty grim. It was reminding me of another of my favorite books when...boom! there it is referenced on page 50, Katherine Dunn's Geek Love. A favorite of yours?

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