How usually do you end a novel, solely to search out your self flipping again to the primary web page and considering, I actually ought to start out that another time? Alina Grabowski’s debut Women and Children First, a brand new and noteworthy e book (out this week) from SJP Lit, Sarah Jessica Parker’s imprint at Zando books, prompts that form of studying.
Set in a struggling New England city, the novel unfolds by way of interlocking tales—one thing like Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge or Jennifer Egan’s A Go to from the Goon Squad. One of many native youngsters, a woman named Lucy, has died by falling from a roof throughout a celebration. Did she leap? Was she pushed? Did she undergo a seizure? The e book is split into “earlier than” and “after” sections, and every chapter is narrated by a brand new character with their very own perspective on the premature demise. You would possibly assume that the tales assist unravel the thriller little by little, however the impact is, in truth, the other: Every viewpoint solely additional complicates the realities of those characters. It’s a wealthy and textured e book, with shades not solely of these feminine authors, but in addition Mary Gaitskill or Lorrie Moore, by way of its investigation into feminine company, energy, and vulnerability.
Parker has all the time been an avid reader—to place it mildly. Final 12 months, she described her lifelong behavior of studying wherever and all over the place, even when she’s on set between takes. “For many individuals, it’s a curiosity as a result of it looks like it removes me from the work I’m doing,” she told Vanity Fair. “However truly, it retains me targeted as a result of there’s a lot chaos on a set. Generally I really feel that it seems that I’m delinquent, but it surely’s simply what maintains calm for me.” Nonetheless, it’s one other matter solely to be vetting books for an imprint that bears her title. I caught up with Parker (talking from New York) and Grabowski (talking from Austin) about what goes into selecting and publishing books normally, and this e book specifically.
Vogue: Sarah Jessica, how did you decide this e book? And the way do you decide books typically?
Sarah Jessica Parker: I get a weekly replace on obtainable manuscripts from Zando, and generally there’s some cowl letter—usually only a letter from the agent and a short synopsis of the e book. I believe on this case it was simply that, with none protection, and I used to be instantly intrigued. I can solely learn in exhausting copy, so I’ve to print every thing out. I learn it instantly and I assumed, Properly, there’s going to be lots of people which can be going to need to assist shepherd this. I used to be simply surprised by Alina’s capability to discover a method in and keep inside, but in addition discuss these bigger themes about connections and girls and ladies and the best way they see themselves and the best way others see them.
