George Hagen Reading
George Hagen reads from his first novel entitled The Laments. Hagen discusses the similarities between his childhood experiences and the novel, pointing out that “the places are real, the events are apocryphal.” He was born in colonial Africa, moved with his family as a child to England, and then to the United States.
Hagen goes on to discuss his childhood, and how the frequent relocating of his family caused him to be able to “size things up very quickly.” He further relates his experience to that of the main character’s in The Laments, citing the attempt to anchor himself to an emotional connection with someone as a main boyhood goal.
Hagen discusses his role as a screenwriter, and how this has enabled his ability to be a succinct fiction writer. When comparing screenwriting to fiction writing, Hagen points out: “The nice thing about writing a novel is that you really do get the last word.”
Hagen goes on to discuss his impetus for writing The Laments: he decided to write a novel entirely for himself, with no eye whatsoever as to whether or not the work would ever be published. Hagen then describes the subsequent bidding war for his novel, waged between two publishers from the same conglomerate. He points out that he was able to pick his editor, and chose a woman who was the most “protective” of the novel.
In: "Live from Prairie Lights" Audio Archive | Fiction
Authors: George Hagen
Date Recorded: July 19, 2004
Works Read: The Laments: a novel by George Hagen
Program: Live From Prairie Lights
Format: reading
Contributors: Introduction by host Julie Englander.
Topics: colonial Africa, England, emigration, narrative voice