Author / Writer / Book
Lover - which are you?
KC ~All of the above! Book
lover since first grade; professional writer since 1983; author since my debut,
THE ART OF FALLING, released in January. But I wouldn't have been the latter
two without being a book lover first. Reading trumps all.
Title ~ CALLING ME HOME, published 2013
Author name ~ Julie Kibler
Type of book ~ Historical women's
fiction
What is it about this
book that pulled you in?
KC ~ Since I'm 57, I love the
drive that results when you realize that time's a'wasting and you better act
now, before it's too late. In this case there is a literal drive, from Texas to
Cincinnati, where Miss Isabelle must lay a regret to rest.
I say that—but was it
really the plot that drew me in? Equal to that draw were the opening lines:
"I acted hateful to Dorrie the first time we met, a decade or so ago. A
person gets up in years and she forgets to use her filters." That had me
laughing, from sentence two. How can you resist such a voice?
Is there a relationship in the story that resonated with
you?
KC ~ The relationship I loved
was between Isabelle, white and almost 90, and her black hairdresser, Dorrie. I
can't recall her age but Isabelle says she's old enough to be her grandmother,
and that Dorrie is "like the daughter I never had." (So fun to go
back and read beginnings and see how perfectly they set up all that is to
come.)
Do you think that
relationship was portrayed realistically?
KC ~ Yes, but not
stereotypically. You'd think, with the white woman being Southern and older,
that she might be condescending toward her African-American hairdresser, but
she was considerate and curious and loving toward her. She expected things of
her. I have benefitted from many intergenerational relationships over the
years, whether I was the elder or the younger, and tend to write them in my own
stories. I love them.
Anything else you want
to tell us about the book without giving away too much of the plot?
KC ~ Thanks to sections of
backstory, this book is not just about the friendship that creates this story's
frame. There is a powerful love story as well, that leaves you wondering why
the hell we treat our fellow humans the way we do sometimes. If you are the
type who reads the end first to see if you'll like the story (I was APPALLED to
learn that so many do this!): Don't. Allow yourself this journey.
JHA ~ Thank you so much, Kathryn, for being my first guest. I truly appreciate it!
JHA ~ Now how about you, reader? Have you read CALLING ME HOME? If so, what did you think of the book?
To connect with Kathryn:
Website:
www.kathryncraft.com
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