Annalina
asked
Jennifer Egan:
Given the music-focus in A Visit from the Goon Squad what status does music hold in your own life and has your perception of and relationship with music and the music industry changed after writing the novel?
Jennifer Egan
Hi Annalina, this answer is coming two years late--so sorry! I stopped looking at Goodreads for a period, and hope you are still on here! Interestingly, I'm not really a "music person," in that I don't know much about the industry and am not myself a musician. I listen to all music, whether classical or indie rock, with an ear toward structure, and an openness to how I might use a particular music structure in fiction. My new novel, THE CANDY HOUSE, employs very different musical structures than GOON SQUAD, and is not explicitly *about* music in the way that GOON SQUAD is. But thoughts about musical structure were equally important in the creation of the new book, which takes place in the same world as GOON SQUAD and involves many of the same characters. Huge thanks for reading and so sorry for the ridiculous lag-time! All best, Jenny
More Answered Questions
webslog
asked
Jennifer Egan:
I'm immediately struck by how firmly you nail telling details about the places in which the two novels are set, and the ephemera ... Eddie's running down the list of card games he knows how to play, or Anna's collecting Raleigh coupons. Was this a product of deep research specifically related to the book? (novelturgy?) Or were you starting from a built-on love and acquired knowledge of the period. Thanks!
ingrid johnnson
asked
Jennifer Egan:
How do you choose the names of your characters? While reading Manhattan Beach I was drawn to the name Dexter Styles, and I'm curious how you found this name. (Also...you might enjoy this, I am in a book club in Berlin (Germany), and we will be discussing your book this Wednesday.)
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more




