 |
Crime-solving novel draws on tragic circumstances
 |
Photo By Jymi Bolden
|
Novelist Karen Novak, from Mason, Ohio, has created
a work of fictional realism.
|
Karen Novak repeats the words as if they're her self-imposed solemn oath: "I tell the truth as best I can without hurting anyone."
Variations on Novak's mantra appear throughout our hour-long discussion in the author's Mason, Ohio, home, but her meaning is unflinching. She doesn't wish to perpetuate a merry-go-round of pain with publication of her third novel, Innocence.
Instead, she speaks selectively of the book's source material. "There were incidents in the news that were capturing what I wanted to say," she says. "To me the essence of all stories is finding what's true in the story."
To that end, Innocence follows the Law & Order modus operandi of fictional realism. When young Lydia vanishes, a situation all too common among today's headlines, the case becomes particularly troubling for private investigator Leslie Stone. Not only is Stone's own daughter a friend of the disappeared child, but the circumstances call to mind a ring of serial abductions from Leslie's own childhood. Wounds grow even deeper when a group of teenage boys is charged with sexually assaulting the missing Lydia.
Instead of simply pursuing tabloid sensationalism, Novak deftly relates a dramatic tale. She shifts narrative among various core characters. "I wanted the context of everyone knows what's going on, including the reader," Novak explains.
For that reason, she relishes a review that criticizes Innocence's lack of suspense. "I sort of took that as a compliment," she comments. "I didn't want to make a suspense novel."
Novak prefers to elicit commentary on tragic circumstances through a fictional context. It would be far too easy, in the pursuit of capitalism, for Novak to reveal her muse. She politely declines, allowing readers to sift through her complex web of newsworthy storytelling to hypothesize over the truth.
Simply put, she was moved. "It's about how far a mother will allow herself to go in protecting her kids," Novak shares. "It was more a sort of awareness of the difficulties we face our children with when we're supposed to be protecting them."
KAREN NOVAK will sign and discuss Innocence at 7 p.m. Wednesday June 25 at Barnes & Noble in Kenwood.
E-mail Brandon Brady
 Printer-friendly version
Previously in Books
Cancer Patience Former Cincinnatian shares her close brush with a life-threatening illness
Interview By Brandon Brady
(June 4, 2003)
Book of Dreams Former Red Paul O'Neill discusses his book, his dad and his storied career
Interview By Rodger Pille
(May 14, 2003)
Choice Words Poet Linda Gregerson shares her insights and techniques at the University of Cincinnati
Interview By Jessica Turner
(May 7, 2003)
more...
Other articles by Brandon Brady
Whirlygig 81: Out on the Town A Body Concepts massage relieves aches and pains while zoo animals and art exhibits get off on other methods (June 11, 2003)
Writer's Block Bloomsday celebrates James Joyce's Ulysses (June 11, 2003)
Whirlygig 80: Out on the Town Dampness deters the butterflies, but nothing can stop the crowds at the CAC (June 4, 2003)
more...
personals |
cover |
news |
columns |
music |
movies |
arts |
dining |
listings |
classifieds |
mediakit |
promotions |
home
|
|
To Do List
The week in smooth rides, bidding wars, cinematic briefs and "blasphemous" theater
Summer Fling
For many, Cincinnati Opera weaves a life-long romance
Place Settings
CAC's inaugural show is a daring undertaking with an intriguing theme
The Play's a Protest, Too
Protesters can't mar Know Theatre's exhilarating production of Corpus Christi
The Hilarity of Reality
Native-American writer Sherman Alexie infuses humor into tales of despair
Look Here!: Art, Artists, Etc.
CAC shakes it up with eclectic music and potent art
Groove Tube: On Your TV
The History Channel catches a wave with a look at surfboards
Curtain Call: Theaters, Actors, Etc.
Playwright found a new and conquered land at CSF
Calendar Listings
|
