Sign in to wowOwow

Enter the email address that you used when registering at wowOwow.
The password field is case sensitive. Click here if you have forgotten your password.

Please register for wowOwow

Newsletter subscriptions
Sign up to receive wowOwow's weekly newsletter and get our best picks delivered right to your inbox. Our newsletter content is hand-picked by the wowOwow editorial team and provides the top features, news, and commentary from our site. Subscribing to our newsletter is free and safe. We will never share your email or other information with a third-party without your direct consent.
By registering, you indicate that you have read and agree
with our privacy policy and terms of service.
Home › Entertainment
The Book Party

Entertainment | 09/02/2008 12:00 am

Lesley Stahl Questions ... Curtis Sittenfeld, Author of American Wife

CURTIS: Not really. To me, messages or morals are sort of more appropriate in non-fiction. And fiction is just kind of exploring how complicated people are and how interesting their lives are. And so, I mean, if there’s any message in the book I would say it’s that people are three-dimensional, you know. But beyond, I’m not trying to convince people to think anything in particular about, say, the war.

LESLEY: And what about Laura Bush’s generation? Are you trying to tell us anything about the times in which she grew up? You know she — the real Laura and the real George Bush — seemed to have missed the party of the ‘60s. They weren’t protestors. They weren’t swimming in drugs and all of that stuff. Were you thinking about the times in which they grew up?

CURTIS: Obviously Laura Bush is sort of a generation older than I am. I’m much closer in age to the twins, Jenna and Barbara Bush. And it’s something that’s interesting to me to think about is how much has changed in that generation where, for … you know, if you were coming of age in the ‘60s, even if you were educated, it was very normal to think, you know, that your options were to be something like a teacher or a secretary, even if you were planning to work. Or that you might drop out of college in order to get married. I think things are changing very rapidly. I’m sure you’ve noticed that better than anyone. Whereas now, for someone of my generation, if you want to become a lawyer or a doctor you don’t have to defend your choice. You don’t have to explain it. I think it’s very different. So it is interesting to me to think how rapidly things have shifted. And I think it’s sort of an example of how well feminism has worked. You know, like people sort of can sometimes poo-poo feminism, but —

LESLEY: Well they don’t like the word.

CURTIS: Right. I’m fine with the word, but I know that’s true. A lot of people don’t. But I think it’s like so many more options have become readily available to women than were there in like the late ‘60s.

« first‹ previous12345
Read more about: American Wife, Books, Curtis Sittenfeld, George Bush, Laura Bush, Literature, Q & A

14 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Sam Mirando
I would have thought that today’s emphasis would have been on the vetting of a possible future woman President. Has WOWOWOW dropped the ball here?
By Sam Mirando on 09/02/2008 4:51 am
Diana T
I guess they think we need to cool down a little. Besides, women still love to talk about books and other subjects. Yesterday, I had to get out of here and go hiking in rough terrain. Made me feel better.
By Diana T on 09/02/2008 9:57 am
phyllis Doyle Pepe
Well, since the ball is in their court they can throw us whatever they please. Perhaps as the convention gets its legs dry there will be amble threads to nibble at the vetting (or lack of) process. Re: the book in question: I am not interested in Laura Bush, fictionalized or otherwise, but I am probably in the minority. I wish Curtis Sittenfeld–––love the name––the best of luck on the sales and critiques of her book. A roman á clef is literally a novel with a key or secret meaning. Such a work of fiction contains one or more characters and situations based upon actual persons and their lives. Often such novels skirt dangerously close to infringement of the libel laws.
By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 09/02/2008 7:25 am
Diana T
I won the book from wow and it is in the reading queue. I have had time to skim it, and it looks well written.
By Diana T on 09/02/2008 9:58 am
Bella Mia
The question I have is: Who is the target market for this book? Conservative women have no interest in reading nasty made-up things about “Alice’s” (Laura Bush’s) inner dialogue, and will liberal women really be interested enough in Laura Bush to read a fake book about her? I doubt it. Like all the anti-war movies out there that have flopped - I predict the same.
By Bella Mia on 09/02/2008 10:48 am
Susan B
Bella, I’m a lefty and a woman, and I’m fascinated with Laura Bush. Over the past eight years, I’ve come to admire and respect her quite a bit for a number of reasons. Laura Bush strikes me as the polar opposite of her husband in terms of temperment, poise, and ready intelligence, and I continue to wonder about the dynamics of their marriage. I guess I wouldn’t have put the two of them together. But together they are.
By Susan B on 09/02/2008 11:01 pm
Bella Mia
But knowing Laura’s real thoughts would make her choice of George Bush understandable, whereas made-up fantasy dialogue offers worse than no insight, it offers false insight. More revealing, less the actual thoughts, are observations of intimates, and obviously, her off-spring. I think it is particularly revealing that Laura’s daughters have turned to public service like teaching, while Hillary’s daughter works for a hedge fund.
By Bella Mia on 09/02/2008 11:46 pm
elaine s
The problem with books like this is that many people who read them believe they aren’t fictional. History becomes a muddy river of fact and perceptions based on what is read and said. It’s a career shortcut, unworthy of a great writer, to hinge your fiction on a real national figure, no matter what you name her.
By elaine s on 09/02/2008 11:30 am
JeJe De
Ms Sittenfeld’s is an excellent author. Why not try one of her earlier books if this sounds strange to you. After you’ve read one of those, you may be anxious to read this one!
By JeJe De on 09/02/2008 4:35 pm
Lena B
I’ve gotten more than half way through the book and I’m enjoying it. Ms. Sittenfeld portrays the main character Alice as a sensitive soul, thoughtful and observant. Thank you again WoW for this pleasant diversion from the reality of American politics.
By Lena B on 09/02/2008 9:30 pm
Susan B
Lena, if you’re enjoying it, then I’m inclined to give it a try, as well. And you’re right, we ALL need a diversion from American politics. It’s so polarizing, especially right now, it’s depressing.
By Susan B on 09/02/2008 11:05 pm
Jozie Lee
I’m a liberal Democrat yet I’ve found Laura Bush an intriguing character. Look forward to reading Curtis Sittenfeld’s book.
By Jozie Lee on 09/03/2008 11:23 pm
Listenin Lady NY
I am a big Curtis Sittenfeld fan. Have read her other books. Especially liked PREP. I just got my pre-ordered AMERICAN WIFE book and will be starting it. When I first learned about this book, I was a little disappointed at her topic choice (thought it was a “copout”). But this interview and other one’s I have read with Sittenfeld convinced me that it is a worthy read. Will give an update after I read it! Thanks, Leslie, for your interview.
By Listenin Lady NY on 09/04/2008 11:20 pm
Vee Dee
The book and protagonist both sound intriguing. Whether we admit it or not, we’re all curious about the famous, and reading is 100 times better than lilstening to the gossip. I’ve got my name on our library’s reserve list. I respect all writers. Having done some writing myself, I’m aware of the demands. Perhaps Sitttenfeld it will open my eyes to the “fictional” wife. Can’t wait to lie back at night, with propped up pillow and sink into a good read. Thanks Lesley
By Vee Dee on 09/05/2008 4:03 pm