Comments on: Bio

By: SANDRA GUSTAFSON

SANDRA GUSTAFSON — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:38:59 +0000

Hello Mr. O’Nan,
After listening to an interview you did with Nancy Pearl, I looked into getting some of your work. I read a lot of short stories so I first chose “In the Walled City”. After reading the descriptions of several of your novels, I knew I had to get “Wish You Were Here”! I have lived on the shores of Chautauqua Lake all my life. When I have read these, I expect to follow with the sequel, “Emily Alone” and your other novel that is “local” for me, “The Odds”. I admire your work.
Sandra Gustafson

By: Ross Coyle

Ross Coyle — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:53:35 +0000

Hi Stewart, I’m a student of Peter Laufer, who’s class interviewed you about Last Night at the Lobster. I was in Thailand at the time, so I listened to the recording a few weeks later. I have a few follow up questions for you after the interview, which was a lot of fun to listen to.

1) How did you want to use the characters emotional states to relate to the development of the story and setting? I.E. hope, frustration, joy, anger, despair.
2) One of the things that I loved about the book was your ability to squeeze emotion and detail into inanimate objects, such as the Swordfish or the snow blower/icer/etc. What’s a tip for doing this in writing?
3) How many people did you interview for each character? Are they amalgamations of several people or are they the personalities of people you know personally?

By: Lori Cowee

Lori Cowee — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:55:05 +0000

Hi Mr. O’Nan,
I just finished reading The Odds (previously just completed Emily, Alone) and once again could not put down either book and had to read both tomes in one sitting.
And, once again; did not want either story to end.
Thank you for creating such wonderful and unique reading experiences for myself and your many fans.
I wish you continued success and look forward to immersing myself in your next novel.
P.S. I would love to see you and Mr. King collaborate on another book…..

By: Joan Siegel

Joan Siegel — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:01:44 +0000

I read a review of ” Emily Alone” somewhere, ordered it, and on reading it, felt as if I had been transported back to the old hometown. I too grew up in Point Breeze—-across from Lyndhurst Green and Mellon Park. Dave McCullough and I used to wait for the schoolbus at the same stop (corner of Dallas and Reynolds) when we were kids. You mentioned a family named “Sanner” in this book—-I went to Chatham College—then PCW— with Mary Kay Sanner (later “Hooper”) from the St. Bede area. Was your Sanner a tribute to the same family? Prantl;s Bakery? Never had their Tiremisu, but Oh, that almond cake! Henrietta Clay Frick Museum? Part of our family lore. And in addition there was the treat of reading your lovely novel. Young as you are, your portrayal of an 80 year old woman is positively eerie—-you have captured us perfectly and haven’t missed a trick. Thank you for some wonderful moments. I’ll now have the fun of reading your other novels.

By: Sarah Combs

Sarah Combs — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:03:19 +0000

Dear Mr. O’Nan,

It’s Halloween, one of my favorite days of the year. In keeping with All Hallow’s Eve tradition, I’m starting the day with a re-reading of the haunting, pitch-perfect opening paragraphs of The Night Country. Those pages capture the delicious darkness and beauty and anticipation and wonder and thrill of Halloween better than any I’ve ever read. Thanks for keeping the jack-o-lantern blazing.

Sarah Combs

By: Bill Grattan

Bill Grattan — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:01:10 +0000

Stewart, at my uncle’s suggestion, I have been reading and enjoying “Emily, Alone.” I find it very moving and beautifully written. I’m eager now to read “Wish You Were Here,” which is sitting on the bookshelves at my family’s cottage just down the road from Pendergrast Point at Lake Chautauqua.

Some years ago, I read “Snow Angels,” a book I greatly admire and one that I suggested, in turn, to my uncle. (Then, I’m afraid, a decade of grad school intervened, and I didn’t get to read much contemporary fiction. I like your work, because it’s contemporary, but with many elements of classic American literature. ) After I read “Snow Angels, I was under the impression that you had lived in Butler? Am I right, or did you spend your entire youth in Pittsburgh? What schools did you attend? I went Saint Paul’s in Butler in 69-70, but mostly grew up in the South Hills. Like you and President Obama, I was born in 1961.

Best wishes,
Bill Grattan

By: 1944 Hartford Circus Fire & Survivor Charles Nelson Reilly

1944 Hartford Circus Fire & Survivor Charles Nelson Reilly — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:48:34 +0000

[...] This week, I’ve been reading a book on the history of the Hartford Circus Fire written by Stewart O’Nan. [...]

By: Jay Carson

Jay Carson — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:30:51 +0000

Stewart
Nancy Martin is my neighbor and told me about Pittsburgh Noir, which I just picked up. She raved about your work! As a lifer from Shadyside and Highland Park I am looking forward to “Emily” I heard you on NPR the other day. Super!

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 23 May 2011 21:47:30 +0000

Hi Stewart,

Once a year, I treat myself to another read of your book “The Night Country.” Each time I read it, I discover something new to love. It is without a doubt my favorite book. Just one thing: I think there’s more than one way to interpret the ending, and wish I knew exactly what you had in mind.

By: Justin Marion

Justin Marion — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:53:31 +0000

Hey man,

Just wanted to drop a line and say that Night Country is one of my “go-to” novels of the past few years, but Faithful is by far “THE $HIT!” Being a Sox fan in Tennessee doesn’t lend itself much room for watching or listening to the games on a regular basis, so I tend to listen to my audio copy on my lunch breaks throughout the season just to remind me why I love the game.

Keep fighting the good fight and GO SOX!