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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A Fall Of Marigolds, A Guest Post From Author Susan Meissner (With A Giveaway!)



THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE GIVEAWAY. A WINNER HAS NOW BEEN SELECTED AND HAS BEEN CONTACTED!

 Today I'm participating in a blog tour for a new book by award-winning novelist Susan Meissner who’s here with me today to talk about her newest book from Penguin NAL. A Fall of Marigolds is a part historical novel, part contemporary novel set on Ellis Island in 1911 and in Manhattan a hundred years later. Make sure you read to the end of the post so that you can find out how to get in on a drawing for a fabulous gift basket that includes a $100 Visa gift card.

Susan Meissner is the multi-published author of fifteen books, including The Shape of Mercy, named one of the 100 Best Novels in 2008 by Publishers Weekly and the ECPA’s Fiction Book of the Year. She is also a speaker and writing workshop leader with a background in community journalism. She and her husband make their home in Southern California.

1. Susan, tell us where the idea for A Fall of Marigolds came from.

I’ve long been a history junkie, especially with regard to historical events that involve ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. A couple years ago I viewed a documentary by author and filmmaker Lorie Conway called Forgotten Ellis Island; a hauntingly poignant exposé on the section of Ellis Island no one really has heard much about; its hospital. The two man-made islands that make up the hospital buildings haven’t been used in decades and are falling into ruins, a sad predicament the documentary aptly addresses. The documentary’s images of the rooms where the sick of a hundred nations waited to be made well stayed with me. I knew there were a thousand stories pressed into those walls of immigrants who were just a stone’s throw from a new life in America. They were so close they could almost taste it. But unless they could be cured of whatever disease they’d arrived with, they would never set foot on her shores. Ellis Island hospital was the ultimate in-between place – it lay between what was and what could be. A great place to set a story

2. What is the story about, in a nutshell?

The book is about two women who never meet as they are separated by a century. One woman, Taryn, is a 9/11 widow and single mother who is about to mark the tenth anniversary of her husband’s passing. The other is a nurse, Clara, who witnessed the tragic death of the man she loved in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in Manhattan in 1911.In her sorrow, Clara imposes on herself an exile of sorts; she takes a post at the hospital on Ellis Island so that she can hover in an in-between place while she wrestles with her grief. She meets an immigrant who wears the scarf of the wife he lost crossing the Atlantic, a scarf patterned in marigolds. The scarf becomes emblematic of the beauty and risk inherent in loving people, and it eventually finds it way to Taryn one hundred years later on the morning a plane crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The story is about the resiliency of love, and the notion that the weight of the world is made more bearable because of it, even though it exposes us to the risk of loss.

3. Why a scarf of marigolds? What is their significance?

Marigolds aren’t like most other flowers. They aren’t beautiful and fragrant. You don’t see them in bridal bouquets or prom corsages or funeral sprays. They don’t come in gentle colors like pink and lavender and baby blue. Marigolds are hearty, pungent and brassy. They are able to bloom in the autumn months, well past the point when many other flowers can’t. In that respect, I see marigolds as being symbolic of the strength of the human spirit to risk loving again after loss. Because, face it. We live in a messy world. Yet it’s the only one we’ve got. We either love here or we don’t. The title of the book has a sort of double-meaning. Both the historical and contemporary story take place primarily in the autumn. Secondarily, when Clara sees the scarf for the first time, dangling from an immigrant’s shoulders as he enters the hospital building, she sees the floral pattern in the threads, notes how similar they are to the flames she saw in the fire that changed everything for her, and she describes the cascading blooms woven into the scarf as “a fall of marigolds.”



4. What led you to dovetail the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of 1911 with 9/11?

When I first began pulling at story threads, my first instinct was to tell a story about an immigrant struggling to remain hopeful as an unwilling patient at Ellis Island hospital. But the more I toyed with whose story this was, the more I saw instead a young nurse, posting herself to a place where every disease known and unknown showed up. It was a place like no other; a waiting place – a place where the dozens of languages spoken added to the unnatural homelessness of it. Why was she here? Why did she choose this post? Why did she refuse to get on the ferry on Saturday nights to reconnect with the real world? What kind of person would send herself to Ellis not just to work, but to live? Someone who needed a place to hover suspended. I knew something catastrophic had to happen to her to make her run to Ellis for cover. As I began researching possible scenarios, I came across the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, which up until 9/11 was arguably the worst urban disaster to befall Manhattan. There were similarities between that fire and 9/11, including the tragic fact that many trapped workers jumped to their deaths rather than perish in the flames. For every person lost in disasters such as these, there is always his or her individual story, and the stories of those who loved them. I wanted to imagine two of those stories.

5. One important plot element is the moral dilemma Clara faces when she discovers something about the dead immigrant’s wife that he does not know. What led you to include this story thread?

A good story has to have tension; there has to be some kind of force tightening the screws, forcing the characters to react and respond. The main character of any novel wants something and the tension increases whenever what she wants eludes her. Clara is desperate to keep love golden, perfect in her mind, and without sharp edges. This moral dilemma I impose on her forces her to truly ponder what she thinks she wants. Is love really at its grandest when there are no sharp edges to it all? I don’t think so. I think to love at its fullest means we might get hurt. Probably will. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth sharing, giving, and having. I include a line in the book that sums it up for me. “Love was both the softest edge and the sharpest edge of what made life real.” I think if we’re honest with ourselves we don’t want to settle for love being just as safe as “like.” Clara wrestles with what to do with her knowledge because she doesn’t want the beauty of love to somehow be tarnished; even it’s tarnished by truth.

6. Your last few novels have had historical components interwoven within a contemporary story. Why do you prefer that kind of story construction?

I think living in Europe for five years awakened my love for history. It’s like it was always there but my time spent overseas just woke it up. When I think back to the subjects I did well in and that came easy to me in high school and college, it was always English and history, never math or science. I appreciate the artistry of math and the complexity of science, but neither subject comes easy to me. History has the word “story” in it. That’s what it is. It’s the story of everyone and everything. How could I not love it? Study history and you learn very quickly what we value as people; what we love, what we fear, what we hate, what we are willing die for. History shows us where we’ve been and usually has lessons for us to help us chart where we’re going.

7. Are you working on anything new at the moment?

My next book is set entirely in England, mostly during The London Blitz. My main character starts out as a young, aspiring bridal gown designer evacuated to the countryside with her seven-year-old sister in the summer of 1940. Though only fifteen, Emmy is on the eve of being made an apprentice to a renowned costumer and she resents her single mother’s decision to send her away. She sneaks back to London – with her sister in tow – several months later but the two become separated when the Luftwaffe begins its terrible and deadly attack on the East End on the first night of the Blitz. War has a way of separating from us what we most value, and often shows how little we realized that value. I have always found the evacuation of London’s children to the countryside – some for the entire duration of the war – utterly compelling. How hard it must have been for those parents and their children. I went on a research trip to the U.K. in the fall of 2013 and I spoke with many individuals who were children during the war; some were separated from their parents, some were bombed out of their homes, some slept night after night in underground Tube stations, some watched in fascination as children from the city came to their towns and villages to live with them. This book explores issues of loss and longing, but also the bonds of sisters, and always, the power of love.

8. Where can readers connect with you?

You can find me at www.susanmeissner.com and on Facebook at my Author page, Susan .Meissner, and on Twitter at SusanMeissner. I blog at susanmeissner.com. I also send out a newsletter via email four times a year. You can sign up for it on my website. I love connecting with readers! You are the reason I write.











As part of the release of A Fall of Marigolds and this blog tour, Susan is giving to one lucky winner  (from all the blog posts) a gift basket that includes a $100 Visa gift card, a copy of the book, the DVD Forgotten Ellis Island, and a beautiful re-purposed infinity scarf patterned in marigolds and made from a vintage Indian sari. To be eligible, just leave a comment here between today and midnight Eastern on Friday, February 28.

Additionally, there will be one winner of a signed copy of A Fall of Marigolds from among those who comment on this blog. Just leave a comment by Friday, Feb. 28 and you’re in the running for the grand prize as well as a signed copy of the book. Good luck!
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34 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Marybeth,

Great interview! I love Susan's books, and this one looks amazing! I have also always been fascinated by Ellis Island and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire tragedy. I can't wait to see how it all ties together!

I wondered if perhaps you meant for the deadline to be the 27th instead of the 21st?

Awesome give-away! Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

Have a great week!
Amy

Unknown said...

Sorry, I mean the 28th...since that is Friday.

Shelia said...

I am very intrigued and cannot wait to read Fall of Marigold. I too love History and it sounds like it has been wonderfully woven into the storyline. I'm also anxiously waiting on her next book she is working on.

Unknown said...

This book sounds wonderful, and I'd love to win a copy. I'm hoping you meant Feb 28. Thanks for helping me learn more about this book Maribeth.

Rita Wray said...

I enjoyed the interview, thank you.

Carla White said...

This looks amazing, I am so excited to read this book! I'm a history junkie also and have never heard of this. I really want to watch the documentary as well. What an interesting topic! Thank you!

Lane Hill House said...

I would love to win a copy of A Fall of Marigolds! I love Susan Meissner's writings. My very absolute favorite is the two-Jane story and Lucy should have a follow-up! She was sturdy-steady and a dear friend in Lady in Waiting. My ancestors came through Ellis Island. I am second-generation American born. I would love to win A Fall of Marigolds and your prize basket gifts! Thank you. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

Susan Meissner said...

Thanks for having me here, Marybeth. And yes, the giveaway is extended to the end of the month. We had to had stops to the blog tour and when we did that, we needed to add a week. Sorry for not getting the wording changed on the copy we sent to Marybeth. If anyone has any questions about the book, I'd be happy to answer them...

Marybeth Whalen said...

Nice catch! It's fixed guys! I never noticed that and appreciate you guys setting me straight.

Mary Lou said...

I confess that I'm not much of a history junkie, but the subject of this book fascinates me. Can't wait to read it!

Jessi said...

One of my goals is to read more in 2014, and this looks like a great book to add to the list! Going to search NetFlix tonight for the Ellis Island documentary. :)

Britney Adams said...

I love Susan's interview and would love to win a copy of A Fall of Marigolds! This sounds like such a wonderful story! Thank you for the opportunity to be a winner!!

texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

Deb H. said...

After reading this interview and hearing about the subject of this book, I can hardly wait to read it, and would feel incredibly honored to wear the marigold scarf!

Unknown said...

Wow! What an intriguing story! The entire story of Ellis Island is a field of dreams waiting to bloom! This has really peaked my interest in a non-fiction/fiction twist.

Velma said...

I love books with intertwining plots that span time. I have enjoyed other books about Ellis Island, and this one seems particularly fascinating.

bn100 said...

Nice interview

bn100candg at hotmail dot com

Tricia said...

Sounds interesting, I'd love to read it.

Kathy said...

I look forward to reading your new book, A Fall of Marigolds. Your comment ....to live is to love, sums the meaning of life. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I am thinking this is a must read for 2014. I loved the interview and the imagery that Susan shares about the story. And loved the significance of the marigold tied back to a fire. Thanks for sharing your interview with your fellow readers. This interview really intrigued more interest in this for sure read!

Marsha

Melissa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Melissa said...

Thank you for this opportunity MaryBeth! I would love to read this book & looking forward to her next one as well. Love your blog!

xoxo,
Melissa

Amy F said...

Definitely looking forward to reading this!

Anonymous said...

Interesting book and awesome giveaway basket!

Denise L.

Jane K said...

Sounds like a great book!

Ellen - SkoMomma said...

I absolutely can't wait to read Susan's latest novel. I've been hooked since reading Shape of Mercy several years ago. Thanks for posting the interview Marybeth. I'll admit to skimming portions of it so I wouldn't read too much about the book before I did into it.

Susan S said...

This is the third time I have seen something about this book and cannot wait to read it. I am actually currently reading Triangle: The Fire that Changed America by David Von Drehle. What a follow-up A Fall of Marigolds would be!!

Anonymous said...

I think it sounds like a great book! I have enjoyed reading other books she has written.
Martha T. CRPrairie1(at)imonmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I enjoy all her books and look forward to reading this one!

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great book! I would love to read it. I enjoy historical fiction. Perhaps if my history classes would have included books like these, I would have enjoyed them!

Rebecca Ann

MeriBeth said...

I can't wait to read this book ! it sounds so interesting !!!

Tammi T. said...

This interview was so insightful. The book seems like it would be a compelling one. I plan on adding it to myo list of books to read. Thank you.

Glenda S. said...

I can't wait to read this book! The Shape of Mercy is a favorite that I recommend often. I'm was looking for a book to give a friend for her birthday and I just found it!

Mackenzie P. said...

Thank you for the chance to win a wonderfully, great sounding book!

Unknown said...

I absolutely can't wait to read Susan's latest novel. I've been hooked since reading Shape of Mercy several years ago. Thanks for posting the interview Marybeth.women gift baskets is a my related site plz visit that...........