Back to top.   

QUESTIONS FROM READERS

wallis01@yahoo.com: Why did you choose this particular year of 1980? I loved the scene where Vince is gambling with Carmine in the first round and then moves on to the high rollers game with John Gotti and the others. You had a good sense for the game and its rhythms --- were you writing from experience?

Jess Walter: I chose 1980 because of the nature of that election, but also because the Mafia was still a threat in 1980. It's been mostly beaten down now by electronic surveillance, RICO laws and the witness protection program. As far as poker, I do play quite a bit, although I've cut back recently. I play Texas Hold 'em in a regular game and at a couple of casinos. Ironically, I've occasionally played with one of the guys I used for research, a former associate of a New York crime family. As I was doing research, I found out that in 1980 Gotti's son died and that he had a drinking problem and lost thousands a night in gambling. It seemed like such a poignant thing...I really wanted it in the novel.

BrianM8614@aol.com: Have you read Chandler? And if so, have you been influenced by him in any way?

Jess Walter: I like Chandler very much. But it's hard for me to say how he's influenced me. I don't ever think about another writer's rhythm or style as I'm working; I'm usually caught up in the language and the movements of the characters. If pressed on my favorite noir writers, I'd probably put THE BIG SLEEP just behind James Cain's THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE and Dashiell Hammett's THE MALTESE FALCON.

GliJ9@aol.com: Do you like Richard Russo's books? He also has a warmth for his characters.

Jess Walter: I love Russo's books! My favorites are EMPIRE FALLS, STRAIGHT MAN and NOBODY'S FOOL. When my editor told me that Russo had sent along a quote about my book, it was a great surprise. I think you nail what is so appealing about Russo, the way he creates characters and infuses them with warmth. When I spoke to him about my book, not surprisingly, I found that same generosity in the author that appears in his books.

© Copyright 1996-2008, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.

Back to top.