Q&A: Jane Hamilton, Author of ‘The Phoebe Variations’

We chat with author Jane Hamilton about The Phoebe Variations, which is a stunning coming-of-age novel about girls, mothers, and finding one’s way in the world.

Hi, Jane! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

If I wasn’t spending my time working, sometimes teaching, helping with the family business (apple Orchard), having the privilege to goof around with two granddaughters, and trying to, you know, save democracy, I would spend all my time riding my bicycle.  Pee Wee’s Big Adventure was a huge movie for me.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

My mother was a writer, my grandmother wrote novels and feminist tracts, I grew up in a reading culture, and I assumed that if you were a girl-child you would naturally become a writer.  Before I wrecked my feet dancing on pointe, however, I wanted to be a ballerina.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: One Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
• The one that made you want to become an author: Jane Eyre
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Jane Eyre

Your latest novel, The Phoebe Variations, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Orphan runs away, encounters surprises.

What can readers expect?

I can’t presume to know what a reader—readers will find in the book.  Who is the reader?  I don’t know.  I’m always surprised by readers’ reactions so I can’t say what they will find in the book.  I hope, for one thing, that every now and again they laugh out loud.  Wait, this is not helpful, I know.  Readers can expect, I hope, a narrative that moves along, has some suprises, and is sometimes poignant, sometimes funny.

Where did the inspiration for The Phoebe Variations come from?

I realized only recently that a guiding light for me in this book was Lorrie Moore’s Who Will Run The Frog Hospital.  I Love that book with all my heart.  Periodically I read the last page.  It always makes me cry.  It’s about that specific time in a girl’s life when she has a very intense friendship with another girl.  Also, Jane Gardem’s Bildgewater and her other coming of age novels have been very much on my mind.  I don’t know that I set out to write a coming of age book but I was thinking about teenage friendships and also the mothers of the 1970s, who had many many children.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

Well, always I loved being with Phoebe.  I love those O’Connor boys to the maximum powers.  I always enjoyed the set piece in the middle, the pages that take place in a secret men’s society.  It was always joyful to be with Chummy.  I think of the O’Connor house as a character and always it was a pleasure to  be in that rundown palace.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

This book took forever to write.  I wrote many distinct novels getting to the final version.  In one version Phoebe is a personal assistant to a married comedy duo in New  York City.  The book was all over the place. But I kept coming back to the inciting incident: the trip to Wisconsin, and also, the O’Connor house was always looming.   I kept sitting in my chair, writing.

What’s next for you?

With any luck another novel.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

I adored Play World, by Adam Ross.  Orbital, by Samantha Harvey.  Stoneyard Devotional, by Charlotte Wood.   I’m looking forward to reading Fulfillment by Lee Cole.

Will you be picking up The Phoebe Variations? Tell us in the comments below!