New Books Network David Giuliano, "The Upending of Wendall Forbes" (Latitude 46, 2025)
Nov 6, 2025
David Giuliano, an award-winning author known for his poignant fiction and non-fiction, discusses his novel, The Upending of Wendall Forbes. He delves into themes of aging and community, exploring how Wendall and Ruby Forbes navigate the complexities of later life against the backdrop of a blizzard and an eclectic cast of characters seeking refuge in their home. Humor mingles with deep moral questions as Giuliano reveals how their encounters spark hope and healing. He also teases his next project featuring a failed NHL player.
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Episode notes
Rethinking The Fourth Quarter Of Life
- At 62 David Giuliano asked what the "fourth quarter" of life means and imagined characters 15–20 years older than himself.
- He explores aging as a phase for dignity, wisdom, and renewed purpose rather than mere decline.
Marriage As A Single Character
- Giuliano modeled Wendell and Ruby from admiration and aspiration, imagining who he'd like to be with in old age.
- He frames long marriages as a single intertwined character that shapes elders' lives and community roles.
Distance From Family Shapes Grief
- Giuliano notes many young people leave remote towns for work, making elder loneliness realistic in his setting.
- One reader began the novel on a flight to meet a grandchild and sobbed after chapter one, showing the story's emotional reach.
