Lucinda Rosenfeld’s latest novel, I’m So Happy for YouRead the complete Q & A., is an honest (albeit dark) look at a pair of best friends from college — Wendy and Daphne — who are now in their thirties and living in New York. Subverting the classic chick lit formula, Rosenfeld bravely reveals the unpleasant things (envy, selfishness, fear) operating just below the
surface of many female friendships. If I’m making it sound the least bit unpleasant, it’s not; like Rosenfeld’s past two novels, this one kept me up until 4 a.m. just so I could find out how it ended — lucky for me, it didn’t disappoint.
Flavorpill: Was it hard for you to put down the character of Phoebe Fine and take up a new protagonist? Do you find one more likeable?
Lucinda Rosenfeld: First, I want to say: thanks for featuring I’m So Happy For You on your web site. It was indeed difficult letting go of Phoebe Fine (protagonist of What She Saw… and Why She Went Home) and beginning a new chapter (forgive the pun) in my fiction writing, with Wendy Murman (protagonist of ISHFY). In case you couldn’t have guessed, Phoebe was based in part on yours truly. However, as I rapidly approach forty, I’ve started to think of her as my youthful alter-ego — and therefore don’t relate to her as much as I once did. I’m thinking especially of Phoebe’s self-destructive side…
As for who is more likable — Wendy or Phoebe — I think I’ll leave that question to my readers. Clearly they’re both flawed characters. But, then, I’m not really interested in any other kind. I’m also not entirely convinced that unflawed characters exist. Most of us, I think, are just a big mess of competing impulses, some selfish, others generous.
Learn more about the book and author at Lucinda Rosenfeld's website and blog.
The Page 69 Test: I'm So Happy for You.
--Marshal Zeringue