Geraldine Brooks spoke Monday March 6th at Emory University. She read passages from March and conducted a writer's workshop the following day.

Her explanation of how her novels originate added keen insight into her characters' and novels' purpose. She shared that she believed that society needs not only idealists like Mr. March, but also those realists who stay home, like the March family. She is intrigued by the consequences of mis-understandings: March thinking Marme wanted him to go to war--Marme angry that he was going but not believing that she could deny such a noble cause.

I asked her about the section of the novel in which Marme reflects quite angrily over her husbands separation and the promise of a 90 day way. The section, which was one that she read, seems especially resonant of the U.S. current war situation. Plus, Ms. Brooks has spent considerable time as a war correspondant in dangerous zones. I asked how much personal experience was woven into Marme's anguish. She acknowledge the parallel but said that she was writing on the eve of the U.S invasion in Iraq. She acknowledged, however, the poignant similarities.

I can't wait for her next book from which she read an excerpt.