Author Keith Donohue wrote the black comedy “Centuries of June” (book review) which I very much enjoyed . I had many questions about this strange book, which somehow works. I actually got to ask a few of them.
I love book blogging.
Q. I found it hard to categorize “Centuries of June”, how would you categorize the book?
A. Centuries of June defies categorization. It is a literary novel that spoofs the conventions of the murder mystery and the ghost story, as well as a novel-in-stories in the mode of “Canterbury Tales” or “If on a winter’s night a traveller…” It is a black comedy about the cycle of life and love, being stuck in the bathroom, and how we tell stories to remember where we have been and to project where we may be going.
Q. The book moves between genres, mystery, myth, folk tale and more. Was it difficult writing in different genres in the same book?
A. Part of the fun of writing the novel was the play among the various genres. Some of the stories are based on actual events but reinterpreted for my own nefarious ends. Some of them are based on folklore or American myth. Each of the eight women tells her tale in her own unique way, and it was a creative challenge to give them distinct voices. And then we have the narrator, who is kind of making up the story of how he ended up on the bathroom floor as the book progresses.
Q. I “got” the book and its dark humor. Where you afraid that others might not find it so?
A. I’m glad you got the dark humor, but I never really worry about how different people read the books. It is impossible to predict, especially with comedy, and the best we can do has to be good enough. After the intense story of The Stolen Child and of Angels of Destruction, I wanted to try my hand at something in a different spirit, but I leave it to you as to whether or not you find anything funny.
Q. What’s up with the talking cat?
A. The book opens with a man on the bathroom floor in a pool of his own blood (see, comedy) and once he hears the voice of another being perched on the bathtub, a man who should not be there, then anything goes. Even his cat, Harpo, has changed–to the point where he can have conversations with him about having nine lives.
Q. What are the challenges of book promotions in the social media age?
A. Social media makes it possible for us to have a conversation. On the positive side, it allows for this kind of Q&A to be public (like a face-to-face book reading). On the negative side, I should be writing my next novel instead…
Q. Shameless plug disguised as a question: Why do you love ManOfLaBook.com so much and often visit the website?
Wise guy answer: I love the fact that you are so dedicated to reading and writing about books, of all things, in this day and age. Plus the guy with the moustache reminds me of that Monty Python “Spanish Inquisition” priest. Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition. Long may you torture us with your reviews!
Great answers, I’m sure you can tell Mr. Donohue’s wonderful sense of humor.
Zohar – Man of la Book
Related articles
- Book Review: Centuries of June by Keith Donohue (blogcritics.org)
- Keith Donohue “Centuries of June” (eyeonbooks.com)
- How Was Your Week? Here’s Mine (eyeonbooks.com)
- Doppelgangers (mohighlibrary.wordpress.com)
3 Comments
This sounds like a book I might like. Great interview!
Haha, OMGoshness, this interview is HILARIOUS! Especially the LAST question. Viva la Reviews de Zohar!!! Lmao 😛 I also love that the author is unconcerned with how the readers would interpret the work, and content in just having written and excellent book and having presented it to the masses! Loved it…simply loved it.
Thank you, Zohar, for bringing us this wonderful interview, and thank you to author Donohue for taking the time to answer these questions for us readers/followers! 😀
Love,
~Hira~
Thanks Hira, I always love your comments.