

Mona Awad
Sep 12, 2023
Critically acclaimed novelist Mona Awad discusses her book 'Rouge', a mesmerizing tale about a woman's struggle with physical beauty and a cultlike spa after her mother's death. They explore the wordplay between 'Rogue' and 'Rouge', the connection between beauty and horror in fairy tales, and analyze the book cover. The chapter also includes book recommendations and discussions on dystopian and suspenseful thrillers, stolen photos, and stories from a collection.
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Mona Awad's Skincare Addiction
- Mona Awad became deeply addicted to watching skincare videos on YouTube without fully understanding products.
- This addictive enchantment inspired the fairy tale atmosphere and themes in her novel Rouge.
Horror and Fairy Tales Link
- Horror and fairy tales share oral storytelling roots and primal fears.
- Both explore terrifying themes like loss of autonomy and transformation as possession.
Beauty Industry's Sinister Promise
- The beauty industry promises transformation as a route to authenticity and power.
- This promise taps into primal anxieties about losing oneself and needing validation through appearance.