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Items of interest concerning Hawthorne Books and its authors

Anthony McCarten Guest Blog Post Powell’s Books: An Interview with the Author, Part Three

11 Oct 2013|

What is the purpose of stories? And of storytelling?

To fool you.

Do you believe that people like or want to be fooled from time to time?

If we did not have the impulse and ability to believe in the impossible, we would not have religion, democracy, or marriage.If we did not have the impulse and ability to believe in the impossible, we would not have religion, democracy, or marriage.

Do you believe in any superstitions?

I am so superstitious that I think even discussing this subject is dangerous and will probably bring me terrible luck. Having been raised a Catholic, superstition becomes almost part of your DNA. The challenge is to slowly rid yourself of these little delusions. Not since a boy have I worn the Brown Scapular — which promises that the Virgin Mary will deliver from purgatory those who wear it on the first Saturday after their death — but my sister, to this day, still sends me St. Christopher medals to protect me from death while traveling.

I do, however, believe firmly that smoking will kill you (it killed my father). And I believe that salty soup means the cook is in love.

To read the entire post go to Powell’s Books.