Emily M

Emily M asked Celeste Ng:

Hi Celeste -- An early congrats on the release of your paperback edition! As a reader, I am often torn by my love of thrillers and my high admiration of literary fiction. I was very taken by your book, which has obvious mystery-like components but the nuance of a work that is truly literary. Which books and writers do you think have most influenced your writing style?

Celeste Ng So sorry for the belated response--I didn't see this until now! I read a lot as a kid, but as an adult, some of my influences include Toni Morrison, Elizabeth Strout, Ann Patchett, and Arundhati Roy. Not that I claim to write as well as they do! But those are some of the authors I read and try to emulate.

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Andrada

Andrada asked Celeste Ng:

Hi Celeste ! I like your book so much. I am just curious about one thing. Why didn't Hannah have an important role in the book? She was my favourite character and she clearly knew a lot that was going on and it would've been amazing if she was the one who could bring the family together. Like solving the enigma that Lydia left behind. Anyway I really enjoyed reading this book and thank you for your hard work !

Chad Malkamaki

Chad Malkamaki asked Celeste Ng:

Amazing job with Little Fires Everywhere, I've lived in greater Cleveland my whole life, in the city the last ten years, and I'm very close to the age of the characters in the book. You nailed the feeling of growing up in the city and have done one of the best jobs of representing the stores, restaurants, and hangouts. I know you lived in Shaker but why did you choose to set the book in a place you know so well?

Deb Atwood

Deb Atwood asked Celeste Ng:

Hi Celeste, I just finished listening to your book and enjoyed it very much--especially the way you layered details and images to evoke an emotional response. My question is this: Have you read Tess of the D'Urbervilles? Hannah reminded me of Tess's sister Liza Lu, and I thought of Hannah as a sort of "spiritualized image" of Lydia.

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