Episode Summary: "Loretta Rothschild, FINDING GRACE: A Novel"
In this engaging episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens sits down with debut author Loretta Rothschild to discuss her compelling novel, "Finding Grace." The conversation delves deep into the themes of love, grief, motherhood, and the intricate dynamics between characters, offering listeners a comprehensive look into Loretta's creative process and the inspirations behind her work.
Introduction to Loretta Rothschild and "Finding Grace"
Timestamp: [01:43] - [04:45]
Zibby Owens introduces Loretta Rothschild, highlighting her background as a London native who splits her time between the UK and Italy. Loretta resides with her husband, Nat, their young son, and their beloved dogs. "Finding Grace" marks Loretta's debut novel, which has already garnered significant attention and praise.
Zibby expresses her deep admiration for the book:
Zibby Owens ([03:10]): "The writing is so good, the plot is so good, the emotions. Like I just, I was so sad. I didn't. As I got towards the end, I just like wanted to slow down so I didn't lose the characters."
Loretta shares her excitement about the positive reception:
Loretta Rothschild ([03:00]): "I was very touched by your post. It's... it's so nice when someone even knows your book exists, let alone likes it."
Exploring the Core Themes
Timestamp: [04:00] - [07:43]
Love and Secrets:
Zibby probes into the novel's foundation, which centers around a love story marred by secrets. Loretta explains that the secrecy introduces elements of self-destruction and emotional turmoil within the characters.
Loretta Rothschild ([04:45]): "At the core of Finding Grace is a love story between two characters whose lives are upended by unexpected events."
Grief and Its Portrayal:
The discussion shifts to how grief is depicted in the novel. Loretta emphasizes the authenticity of grief, avoiding traditional diagnoses in favor of a more personal and raw portrayal.
Loretta Rothschild ([07:43]): "I just tried to go on the ride. And it was helpful having Honor alongside me because she's so fun to write with. She really took it to a different place emotionally."
Zibby highlights the fresh perspective on grief, noting Loretta's ability to distill complex emotions into powerful, simple statements.
The Writing Process and Inspirations
Timestamp: [10:46] - [25:28]
From Concept to Completion:
Loretta recounts her journey as a writer, detailing how she initially wrote in the third person before embracing a more intimate narrative style. The lockdown period proved pivotal, allowing her to dedicate uninterrupted time to finishing the novel.
Loretta Rothschild ([19:39]): "I started writing this book properly in lockdown. I had to get on with it and I did."
Securing an Agent and Publishing:
Upon sharing her initial chapters, Loretta was swiftly approached by her agent, Jonathan Lloyd Curtis Brown, who was impressed by her "dangerously brilliant" work. This endorsement led to representation by Christy Fletcher at UTA and eventually, a publishing deal with St. Martin's Press.
Influences and Literary Inspirations:
When asked about books that inspired her, Loretta mentions "Grieve is a Thing with Feathers," which influenced her decision to have the character Honor take a central role. Traditional love stories like "Jane Eyre" also served as models for crafting a timeless yet modern narrative.
Loretta Rothschild ([28:05]): "I wanted to write a traditional love story, but with the kind of modern, twisty, bringing it to today, kind of what could happen?"
Personal Reflections and Universal Themes
Timestamp: [18:22] - [25:28]
Integrating Personal Experiences:
While Loretta acknowledges not having experienced traumatic grief akin to her characters, she draws from everyday interactions and observations to infuse authenticity into her portrayal of grief and love.
Loretta Rothschild ([22:16]): "Grief is such a pungent emotion. Depending on what kind of age it hits you, it can really stick with you."
Universal Appeal of Everyday Moments:
Loretta emphasizes that the novel's strength lies in its focus on day-to-day experiences, making the story relatable and emotionally resonant.
Loretta Rothschild ([22:16]): "I didn't go on a deep dive for anything bigger than the day to day. I think that maybe the reason it feels so universal and real is because I didn't."
Character Development and Narration:
The character of Honor, an unexpected narrator, adds depth and a unique perspective to the story, allowing readers to engage with the emotional landscape in a fresh manner.
Zibby Owens ([04:45]): "It's built around a secret. And whenever people have secrets, the sort of corrosiveness and the self-destruction that comes from keeping a secret..."
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
Timestamp: [20:15] - [21:58]
When asked about her forthcoming projects, Loretta reveals that she is already working on her next book with her editor, Sarah Crichton at St. Martin's Press. While details remain under wraps, Loretta expresses both excitement and nervousness about the new endeavor, highlighting the natural progression from her debut.
Loretta Rothschild ([21:38]): "It's going very well. But it's... it's the gestation period. I'm very nervous all the time. It's going to go... it's very new."
Closing Thoughts
Timestamp: [30:13] - [30:20]
As the conversation wraps up, Zibby offers her congratulations and expresses genuine excitement for Loretta's success:
Zibby Owens ([30:13]): "Well, Loretta, congratulations. So amazing. I'm so excited for you."
Loretta thanks Zibby for the opportunity to discuss her work, leaving listeners eager to explore "Finding Grace" and follow Loretta's promising literary career.
Key Takeaways:
- "Finding Grace" is a multifaceted debut novel intertwining love, secrets, and grief with vivid character development.
- Loretta Rothschild's writing is deeply influenced by both personal observations and literary inspirations, resulting in a story that feels both timeless and contemporary.
- The novel's universal themes and relatable everyday moments resonate with a wide audience, promising a significant impact in the literary world.
- Loretta's collaborative relationship with her editor and publisher underscores the importance of synergy in bringing a compelling narrative to fruition.
Notable Quotes:
- Zibby Owens ([03:10]): "I was so sad. I didn't... I just wanted to slow down so I didn't lose the characters."
- Loretta Rothschild ([04:45]): "At the core of Finding Grace is a love story between two characters whose lives are upended by unexpected events."
- Loretta Rothschild ([07:43]): "I really took the grief element of this book incredibly seriously because of the magnitude of certain parts of it."
- Loretta Rothschild ([22:16]): "Grief is such a pungent emotion. Depending on what kind of age it hits you, it can really stick with you."
Listeners who appreciate heartfelt narratives that tackle complex emotions will find "Finding Grace" a worthy addition to their reading list.