BookTalk.org

Joyce Carol Oates has agreed to answer our email interview questions!

If you'd like to ask Joyce some questions about "The Falls" just post them here in this thread.

Please try to write your questions well so that they can be sent unedited.

Ms. Oates,

First, let me thank you for many hours of thoroughly enjoyable reading over the years. It is turning cold in New England now and I just took two more of your books from the library for warm reading under a blanket.

Some of us in the Falls discussion group find Ariah a somewhat unlikable character. When you create a character do you intentionally make one character more or less likeable than another?

Thank you for taking the time to join us on BookTalk.

Linda D'Amato

Great opening question, lindad_amato. Thank you!

We need more questions for Joyce.

Hi Joyce,

Thanks for "The Falls", it was a great read. We have been discussing possible themes along the lines of pilgrimage or spiritual journey or similar. If this is a theme of your book, could you point out the key elements of developing this theme and moving it forward through the narrative? Also, I'm interested in the relationship between authors and readers ... is it reasonable to say that an author develops a 'relationship' with her readers, perhaps over time and publishing of several books? I'm thinking that authors and readers may come to understand each other, on some level, through the shared experience of the books?

Thanks, Giselle!

Hello Ms. Oates, thank you for spending time with the members of BookTalk.

I noticed similarities between the character Ariah and Niagara Falls in the novel and I am curious as to how the features of Niagara Falls inspired you when writing, “The Falls”? Niagara Falls has a mythical quality that Ariah seems to share and I also felt power and relentlessness, danger and mystery in Ariah and other characters. Are the characters and the setting of “The Falls” connected, and did you give the characters qualities associated with Niagara Falls?

Do you guys think we have enough questions for Joyce? I can email them to her as soon as you give me the green light.

I didn't read the book (haven't read any by her--shame, shame)--but that's really exciting, having her be willing to answer questions. They seem like very good ones, too. Congrats to the people who so actively discussed this book.

I read the book but unfortunately it's back in the library now, and I did not take any notes. Was really enjoyable though.