Lorrie Moore’s latest book brings a poignant tale of Finn, who is abruptly called away from his visit to his terminally ill brother in New York. He receives news that he is needed back home in Illinois, only to discover that his ex-girlfriend Lily has passed away. Or has she? When Finn visits Lily’s grave at the green cemetery, he is shocked to find her wearing her clown shoes and making wisecracks. “But you know that toast we used to make, ‘Here’s to mud in your eye’? Let’s not ever say that again.”
In this concise yet powerful book, Moore, a native of Glens Falls, masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, including a thrilling road trip with the deceased and excerpts from a journal post-Civil War. While concluding her own road trip, the author graciously took the time to answer some questions about her latest work.
Q: What are readers saying about “I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home?”
A: If they are my friends, they either rave about it being the best novel they’ve read in a long time or remark on its vivid imagery if it didn’t resonate with them.
Q: Finn finds himself in a strange place in his life, dealing with two deaths and being able to spend more time with his loved ones. It’s a surreal experience. Can you discuss your approach to writing about grief and this liminal space between life and death?
A: Finn is a skeptic who refuses to accept things at face value. As a history teacher, he questions the official narrative, even the history of his relationship with Lily. Thus, he struggles to fully accept her death. Lily, aware of this, appears to him because she knows he will believe it’s her. My approach to writing about grief was to focus on these specific characters rather than a general exploration.
Q: The road trip in the book is unlike any other. Is “zombie” an accurate term to describe Lily, or is she something entirely different?
(Spoilers ahead)
A: “Zombie” carries significant associations and connotations, and I admittedly don’t possess extensive knowledge about zombies. I see Lily more as a memory and a ghost, albeit realistically portrayed as a deceased person. Spoiler alert!
Q: Did you draw inspiration from your own road trips for this story? How did a road trip enhance the narrative?
A: I have written road trip stories based on my personal experiences before, but this one is entirely fictional. It serves as a metaphorical suspension, similar to a visit to the bardo. The actual route is intentionally vague. In terms of utilizing road trips in storytelling, I took inspiration from William Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying” and the transportation of the mother’s corpse to her desired burial site. Thus, I aimed to incorporate myself into a literary tradition.
Q: Your descriptions of a decaying body are incredibly vivid and numerous. For instance, you liken Lily’s complexion to the color of an overcooked egg yolk and describe her as a casserole of rot. While enjoyable as a reader, I’m glad I wasn’t eating while reading those passages. Did you find writing those scenes fun? How did you research the decay process?
A: I didn’t extensively research cadavers, but I did indulge my imagination since this book is rather unconventional and not bound by strict realism. I imagined Lily’s vivid colors and likened her to food that is past its prime.
Q: How did you conduct research to portray Elizabeth’s story through her letters? Why did you choose the specific time period?
A: I conducted extensive research on the South in the 1870s, though much of it didn’t make it into the final work. It was an enjoyable process, even if not all the information was utilized. I set the story in that time period because I wanted the war to be over but not completely resolved.
Q: Finn and Lily exchange jokes throughout the trip, and there’s a notable line: “Jokes are flotation devices on the great sea of sorrowful life. They are the exit signs in a very dark room.” Can you shed light on your use of humor in this book and others?
A: In my personal life, everyone I know tries to inject a bit of humor into their conversations. It serves as a form of spiritual assistance. Naturally, these two characters share that tendency.
Q: Lily is described as a sad clown, akin to those paintings or statues, and her clown shoes play a significant role. What is your perspective on clowns?
A: Someone once shared with me that they had an ex-wife who worked as a clown, and that stuck with me. However, I invented the specifics for Lily’s character. I don’t have a definitive stance on clowns; it seems like a challenging profession.
Q: How does your upbringing in Glens Falls influence your writing? Do you still maintain connections to the town?
A: It has been quite some time since I last visited Glens Falls. My parents moved away in the mid-1970s. Nonetheless, “Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?” incorporates the most memories from my time there, albeit fictionalized.
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