"Delicacy" by David Foenkinos
Jeff Glor talks to David Foenkinos about "Delicacy."
Jeff Glor: What inspired you to write the book?
David Foenkinos: It's not autobiographical, since I am neither Swedish nor a widow! The idea of rebirth after a tragedy is something very personal. Beyond that, what inspired me the most was the idea that when it comes to love what matters most is THE RIGHT MOMENT. I wanted to play with this idea. The male character is atypical, he's a UFO, but he arrives at the right moment in Natalie's life.
JG: What surprised you the most during the writing process?
DF: At the start the novel was going to be more serious. What surprised me was my Swedish character's sense of humor. I didn't expect him to be so self-denigrating. A writer is often dictated to by his characters. When Natalie asks Markus why he left Sweden, he replies, "The real question is to know why all Swedes don't leave Sweden." That caught me by surprise.
JG: What would you be doing if you weren't a writer?
DF: A musician with groupies. Or the less successful version: a guitar teacher!
JG: What else are you reading right now?
DF: I've been rereading a lot of Philip Roth lately, a writer I worship.
JG: What's next for you?
DF: At the moment I have the opportunity to travel a great deal, since the film is coming out all over the world. So, I'm taking things in, experimenting, I'm free! And all of that is going to give me inspiration. Maybe I'll find it in New York! I do have an idea for a novel that is beginning to stir in my mind, so soon I'll be back to writing.
For more on "Delicacy" visit the Harper Collins website
