Author Ariel Lawhon joins Anne to discuss her new release The Frozen River and how her books have aligned with literary trends. They explore the challenges of writing biographical fiction, the importance of stories with seasoned female protagonists, and share their favorite captivating books.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lahlan is a historical fiction novel that explores the remarkable career of midwife Martha Ballard, delving into her intelligence, loyalty, and commitment to justice, and portraying the importance of community and the resilience of women.
Ariel Lahlan's novels inadvertently align with publishing trends, but her success stems from her personal curiosity and fascination with lesser-known historical events and figures, showcasing emotional depth, engaging characters, and the ability to transport readers to different time periods.
Deep dives
The Frozen River: A Story of Love, Justice, and Community
The Frozen River by Ariel Lahlan is a historical fiction novel that follows the life of Martha Ballard, a midwife in Maine in the late 1700s. The book explores Martha's remarkable career, delivering over a thousand babies without losing a single mother. It delves into her deep intelligence, loyalty, and commitment to justice, and portrays the tight-knit community of women who support and care for each other. The novel also depicts Martha's enduring and happy marriage, offering a refreshing perspective on mature love. Amidst a murder mystery and a rape trial, the book highlights the importance of community, the resilience of women, and the complexities of life. Lahlan's skillful writing balances violence with tenderness, creating a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Ariel Lahlan's Accidental Success in Publishing Trends
Ariel Lahlan's novels have inadvertently hit publishing trends with each release. From the jazz era in New York City to the rise of World War II fiction, Lahlan's works have coincided with popular genres. In her latest book, The Frozen River, she joins the emerging wave of Puritan era fiction. However, Lahlan acknowledges that her success is not intentional or driven by following trends. Instead, her stories are born from her personal curiosity and fascination with lesser-known historical events and figures. Despite unintentionally aligning with publishing trends, Lahlan's writing stands out for its emotional depth, engaging characters, and ability to transport readers to different time periods.
The Power of Stories and the Literary Landscape
Ariel Lahlan believes that the power of a book lies in its ability to occupy readers' thoughts even when they are not reading. Lahlan appreciates stories that stay with her long after she finishes them, prompting reflection and evoking strong emotions. She cites Stephen King's novels as examples of stories that possess this power, going beyond the horror genre to resonate with readers on a profound level. Lahlan also highlights the importance of magical realism in restoring the fun and whimsy to reading, bringing back the magic and sense of wonder that initially drew readers to books. She finds joy in novels that combine elements of reality with a touch of fantasy, allowing readers to escape into enchanting worlds. Ultimately, Lahlan believes that the most impactful books are the ones that elicit a deep emotional response and leave a lasting impression.
Books Worth Exploring
Ariel Lahlan recommends several books for readers to explore. She praises Susanna Kearsley's blend of historical and contemporary fiction, particularly her ability to create mature, relatable characters. Lahlan also suggests the works of Andy Weir, whose thrilling storytelling captivates readers with its brilliant blend of science and adventure. Additionally, Lahlan praises J.T. Ellison's gripping thrillers and Deanna Raybourn's novels that feature strong and mature female protagonists. Finally, she highlights Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner for its poetic and heartbreaking exploration of friendship, betrayal, and redemption. Overall, Lahlan encourages readers to venture into different genres and discover books that leave a lasting impact.
Our guest today may be familiar to many of you: Ariel Lawhon was one of Anne's early guests, back in Episode 15, and Anne recently recommended Ariel's new book The Frozen River in Episode 393.
Today, Ariel is joining Anne to talk about books and publishing, from Ariel's new release, to the unexpected way her books have aligned with the literary Zeitgeist. They also explore why some stories stay with you long after you finish them, and discuss their mutual love for seasoned female protagonists.
Ariel wraps up by sharing some of her favorite books and the titles high on her to-be-read list. We've collected the full list of titles mentioned today at our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/409.
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