Richard Russo: Not An Elderly Nun

Pulitzer-Prize winning author Richard Russo has not ever been, is not, and never will be an elderly nun. He has never hummed his parent's favorite song while crossing the Sagamore Bridge. Even so, an element of the autobiographical permeates all his work.

"That's what makes the autobiographical thing so interesting," Russo said. "Not a single thing in 'The Risk Pool' ever happened between my father and me in real life. But the emotion contained within is what's real."

Indeed, Russo draws from his life experience, from growing up in upstate New York to teaching literature. He crafts characters from people he knows intimately to people he's met in passing. Because of that his semi-autobiographical stories resonate with readers.

On Sunday afternoon, Russo discussed his craft and his most recent book "That Old Cape Magic" with more than 300 people at the Wilton Library. The event capped the library's Wilton Reads! Program. He also received the library's Grodin Family Fine Writers Award for his contributions to contemporary literature.

"This is one very busy person. I've never heard buzz before a book talk like this," said Dr. Joanne Ecke who introduced Russo. Before Sunday's event, Ecke led four discussions about "That Old Cape Magic."

Now a resident of Camden, Maine, Russo grew up in Johnston, NY. He earned a Bachelor's degree, a Master of Fine Arts degree, and a PhD from the University of Arizona.

He wrote his first novel, "Mohawk" in 1986 while teaching in the English department at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His book "Nobody's Fool" was adapted into a 1994 movie starring Paul Newman. And his novel "Empire Falls" received the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

"'Bridge of Sighs' was my entrée into Russo," said Wilton resident Victoria Hirsch. "It was the most immensely satisfying book I had read in a really long time. It's the way he writes about dealing with the 'what ifs' in life."

Yet, gearing up to write after finishing the "Bridge of Sighs," a dark novel filled with despair, proved difficult, Russo said.

"I don't like to not write," he said. "But the idea of starting a new novel was so defeating after 'Bridge of Sighs.' I didn't think I could do it."

So he thought he'd pen a short story. Instead, he wrote "That Old Cape Magic," a 272-page novel about the "continuing conversation I think we all have with our parents whether they die young or old. It's a novel about hearing your parents voices after they're dead."

USA Today reviewer Bob Minzesheimer once wrote Russo has "a gift for creating flawed characters you care about, despite or because of their flaws."

"I like all of my characters, even those I disapprove of," Russo said. "I want to surround myself with people who really interest me. Since I'm spending so much time with my characters I don't want any bores."

The Wilton Bank and United Way of Coastal Fairfield County sponsored the program and helped underwrite the distribution of 100 free books, publicity and fees associated with the Wilton Reads! program.

Russo told the room he treasures the surprise in writing.

"I write books for the same reason people read them – to find out what happens to the characters next," Russo said. "And after I glimpse the finish line it's all about revising, revising, and revising. So by the time you get the book it looks like you've entered the world of a smart person."