Podcast Summary: All Of It – “The Ghosts Of Gwendolyn Montgomery”
Introduction
In this episode of ALL OF IT, hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, the spotlight is on Clarence Haynes, the author of his debut adult novel, "The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery." As part of the show's Beach Read series, Stewart delves into the intricate blend of culture, speculative fiction, and personal heritage that shapes Haynes' latest work.
Exploring the Book: "The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery"
Overview and Themes
Alison Stewart introduces the book as a captivating narrative that intertwines the bustling life of New York City with the supernatural elements of ghosts seeking liberation from purgatory. The protagonist, Gwendolyn Montgomery, is a high-powered publicist whose meticulously organized life begins to unravel as inexplicable and horrifying events start to plague her professional endeavors.
Key Plot Points:
- Gwendolyn's Success: Gwendolyn is portrayed as a thriving superstar publicist, juggling a promising career and a budding romance.
- Supernatural Disruptions: Her events start to experience strange occurrences—blood appearing at a fashion show, clients’ reputations being sabotaged, and ominous messages targeting her.
- Seeking Help: To unravel these mysteries, Gwendolyn consults Fonzie, a queer Latinx psychic from the South Bronx, introducing themes of cultural heritage and spirituality.
Notable Quote:
“Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things.”
— Cristina De Rossi, cited by ALL OF IT description
Author’s Inspiration and Background
Clarence Haynes’ Journey
Clarence Haynes shares his transition from a copywriter and co-author of young historical adult books to writing his first adult novel. His decision to venture into speculative fiction was fueled by a long-standing passion and the encouragement of his publisher, Chrisean Trotman from Legacy Lit.
Cultural Roots: Haynes emphasizes his upbringing in the Bronx during the 1970s and 80s, rooted in a Panamanian immigrant family. This rich cultural backdrop profoundly influences the setting, characters, and thematic elements of his novel.
Notable Quote:
“I wanted to make sure to pay tribute to my roots as a native New Yorker... the scenes, the food, the sensibilities, the language, the style, the swag, all of that.”
— Clarence Haynes [05:14]
Character Development
Gwendolyn Montgomery: The Meticulous Publicist
Gwendolyn is depicted as an immaculate, fashion-obsessed publicist whose obsession with order stems from her past. Her character is crafted to reflect strength and vulnerability, balancing her professional success with personal challenges.
Real-Life Inspirations: When asked about real-life counterparts for her clients, Haynes mentions Michael B. Jordan as an exemplar of a high-profile individual Gwendolyn might represent, seeking innovative and impactful branding strategies.
Notable Quote:
“She is really obsessed with fashion, with things being just so in her home. Everything has a place. There's really no messiness in terms of her appearance... there’s a reason why she's so obsessed with looking good, with putting things together.”
— Clarence Haynes [06:40]
Excerpts and Dramatic Events
A Riveting Passage Read-Aloud
Haynes reads an early excerpt from his novel ([07:42]), detailing a catastrophic event during a fashion show at the Brooklyn Museum where mysterious red paint—revealed to be blood—erases the veneer of Gwendolyn's controlled environment. This pivotal moment sets the tone for the novel's blend of glamour and horror.
Notable Quote:
“Sublime would be okay. Financial woes over... As the models walked out, craggy red streaks appeared at the Runway entrance flowing onto the floor... What is going on?”
— Excerpt from "The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery" [07:42]
Genre Fusion and Writing Challenges
Blending Multiple Genres
Haynes discusses the challenges and creative process involved in merging diverse genres such as romance, horror, urban fantasy, and mystery thriller. This fusion aims to maintain suspense and engagement through cliffhangers and evolving thematic elements.
Reception and Comparisons: The book has drawn comparisons to works like "Sinners", praised for its seamless integration of genres, although some early readers find the genre-blending initially disorienting.
Notable Quote:
“It's a bit romance, it's a bit horror, it's a bit urban fantasy, it's a bit mystery thriller... I love to end each chapter with a cliffhanger.”
— Clarence Haynes [11:38]
Themes of Ghosts and Spirituality
Creating a Supernatural World
Fonzie, a Panamanian American psychic, is introduced as a key character who navigates the spiritual landscape where ghosts are tethered to sentimental objects. Haynes draws from his mother's spiritual practices and personal imagination to craft a world where disgruntled spirits seek release.
Historical Integration: The novel incorporates real-world history, such as the imagined burning of the Bronx in 1979, blending factual events with supernatural fiction to honor and reinterpret historical narratives.
Notable Quote:
“I wanted as much as I could to honor real world history... I just did this thing that was gonna be a fusion.”
— Clarence Haynes [16:46]
Author’s Book Recommendations
As part of the Summer Reading Challenge, Haynes shares his literary inspirations and current reads, emphasizing works that blend cultural depth and speculative elements:
- "Tar Baby" by Toni Morrison - Haynes expresses a desire to delve into Morrison’s complex narratives.
- "A Love Song for Ricky Wilde" by Tia Williams - A story set in Harlem about Musa Harlem’s journey to open a flower shop with mysterious ties to the Harlem Renaissance.
- "Zami" by Audre Lorde - A seminal memoir that challenges traditional notions of biography.
- "Future Things" by Doug Jones - A novel exploring the lives of two gay men in Atlanta during the 1980s, addressing themes like gentrification and politics.
- "Crossroads" by Megan Giddings - A speculative fiction piece involving mysterious doors that explore spirituality and personal identity.
Notable Quote:
“Audre Lorde was challenging what the concept of memoir biography could be... that everyone needs to read Audre Lorde at some point in their life.”
— Clarence Haynes [19:07]
Conclusion
Alison Stewart wraps up the interview by highlighting Haynes' upcoming event at Sisters Uptown and encouraging listeners to explore "The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery" as part of their summer reading. The episode underscores the rich cultural tapestry and genre-blending craftsmanship that Haynes brings to his debut novel, offering listeners a compelling reason to delve into his imaginative world.
Event Details:
- Author Event: Clarence Haynes at Sisters Uptown, July 11th, 6 PM
- Book Purchase: Available through the Summer Reading Challenge at wnyc.org/SummerReading
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
-
“I wanted to make sure to pay tribute to my roots as a native New Yorker... the scenes, the food, the sensibilities, the language, the style, the swag, all of that.”
— Clarence Haynes [05:14] -
“It's a bit romance, it's a bit horror, it's a bit urban fantasy, it's a bit mystery thriller... I love to end each chapter with a cliffhanger.”
— Clarence Haynes [11:38] -
“I wanted as much as I could to honor real world history... I just did this thing that was gonna be a fusion.”
— Clarence Haynes [16:46]
About ALL OF IT
ALL OF IT is WNYC’s show that delves into culture and context, engaging creators and thinkers to explore the "what" and "why" behind their work. Emphasizing diverse perspectives and the rich cultural landscape of New York City, ALL OF IT serves as both a companion and curator of the city’s vibrant cultural offerings.
Tune In:
- When: Weekdays from 12:00 - 2:00 PM
- Where: WNYC
Visit wnyc.org for more information and to join the community discussion around culture and its consumers.