We chat with author Amanda Eyre Ward about Lovers and Liars, which follows three wildly different sisters who reunite for a destination wedding at an English castle.
Hi, Amanda! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! I am a novelist and travel writer. I am originally from New York but have lived in Austin, TX for twenty-three years. I love to stay in pyjamas all day and type in the little office behind my house with my two mini schnauzers sleeping nearby.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
As soon as I learned to read, I realized I could escape while staying still. I am not sure if this need to escape is a good or a bad thing, but it has served me well. I bring one or two books everywhere I go, so I have a way to disappear if needed. If I don’t have a book on me, I feel very nervous.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard and James Marshall
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Bee Sting by Paul Murray and a crazy new short story by Joyce Carol Oates called “Late Love.”
Your latest novel, Lovers and Liars, is out May 14th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Introverted librarian finds sexy bookworm.
What can readers expect?
Books without a murder or crime are often hard for me to write. Lovers and Liars is really only about deep, complicated characters. I am completely in love with all three of the flawed and witty Peacock sisters, and their journey to a castle in England was a joy for me to create. Life seems fragile these days, and I savoured every minute inside a story that I knew would have a happy—albeit realistic—ending.
Where did the inspiration for Lovers and Liars come from?
This book is completely fictional but I do have three sisters and we love each other and fight like cats and dogs.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really like researching money scams, scandals, and hustles. Tracing the source of Simon’s wealth was fascinating to me…I read books about oligarchs and London real estate and money laundering.
What’s next for you?
I am just starting a new book about two women at very different stages in their lives. In some ways, it’s a fictionalized portrayal of me feeling lost at twenty-five…and me feeling lost in a completely different way at fifty!
Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
YES! I can’t wait for Claire Messud’s new novel, This Strange Eventful History. I am also on alert for anything new from Tessa Hadley, Tana French, or Ann Patchett.
