Author Interview
American Wife
American Wife, published by Random House
Curtis Sittenfeld
Photograph by Ryan Kurtz
The New York Times named the author’s first novel, Prep, one of 2005’s ten best books; its successor, The Man of My Dreams, was a national best-seller. Her newest, American Wife, draws inspiration from the life of Laura Bush, though the author asserts that Wisconsinite Alice Blackwell is not a doppel gänger for the first lady. Readers may draw their own conclusions.
How closely did you hew to Laura’s life?
I tried to explore what life could be like for someone with a moderate resemblance to her. I chose several large events in Mrs. Bush’s life to build around—the tragic car accident when she was seventeen, her twelve-week courtship with George, his struggles with alcohol, his being a wartime president—and made up just about everything else.
How long did it take to write?
Two years of working longer hours than I ever plan to work again. My earlier books took longer, but I was also freelancing and teaching, not writing full-time. But it’s fun to feel really engaged in a project.
What can you tell us about your next book?
1) My husband and my editor think it sounds weird. 2) I haven’t written a word of it yet. And 3) It doesn’t have anything to do with anyone famous. Random House, $26 (Read the full interview.)
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