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Guest Post with Victoria Patterson, author of This Vacant Paradise & Giveaway

March 1, 2011 by Darlene

Today I welcome Victoria Patterson, author of This Vacant Paradise to Peeking Between the Pages. I hope to read This Vacant Paradise soon as it sounds fantastic! Victoria joins us today to talk about her inspiration for her novel This Vacant Paradise…

If you’ve ever read Edith Wharton’s House of Mirth, you know that Lily Bart is one of the most amazing female protagonists. Beautiful, smart, honest, doomed, Lily’s principles stand in the way of her advancing in society. She can’t have a happy ending because she has so few viable options.

My writing is concerned with women’s desire for independence, self-expression, and agency—and with the cultural conditions that restrict them. I also write about Newport Beach, California. My family moved to Newport when I was in the 7th grade, and for me it was a cultural and emotional reckoning, a perfect roiling combination for a burgeoning writer.

When I was in graduate school at UC Riverside, a professor jokingly called me “The Edith Wharton of the O.C.” and suggested I write a House of Mirth for Newport Beach. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was already a huge Edith Wharton fan, and I resumed my obsession, reading everything I could by her and about her.

I also read all I could by Henry James, knowing that he and Wharton had a complex relationship, and that they influenced each other’s work.

Edith Wharton’s Lily Bart is incredibly sharp and self-aware, capable of succeeding, but her inner character sabotages her follow-through. She simply can’t stomach an environment that makes her an object and allows her little agency. She’s destroyed by the contradiction of needing to be independent in a world that neither equips nor permits her to be.

For This Vacant Paradise, set in 1990s Newport Beach, I envisioned Esther Eileen Wilson, my protagonist, as a modern day Lily Bart. After her shifts at a high end woman’s retail store called True Romance, Esther frequents a popular restaurant/bar called Shark Island, where she allots herself two apple martinis.

Esther has been raised to believe that her worth is her beauty and marriage her ultimate gain. And she is beautiful, though she’s nearing her mid-thirties and is very aware of the temporal nature of her looks. All around her, women are getting plastic surgery, desperately clutching on to their youth and beauty.

Esther has little education or practical skills, and she’s not very adept at the mundane realities of daily life, such as laundry. She finds herself unsuited to a more modest lifestyle, but without the means to provide a lifestyle that would suit her. She lives on the margins of wealth, and she’s ready for that to change. Her best hope is boyfriend Paul Rice, ranked number three in Orange Coaster’s most eligible bachelors.

Enter ex-boyfriend Charlie Murphy, a handsome liberal community college professor. He encourages Esther to think differently from her friends and relatives. Charlie talks a good game, but whether he’s up to the task of living the talk is questionable—and ultimately, like most of us, he likes his comfort.

This Vacant Paradise is both a love story and a critique of a materialistic and limiting environment. Esther has the ambition to marry a rich and powerful man, but she’s held back by her scruples. She’s awake and aware, and she has a heightened sensibility. Her awareness deepens her misfortunes, but it also allows her to retain dignity.

Henry James wrote, “All things in relationships.” However much we try not to, we tend to shape ourselves in the image others have of us. For Esther, that central conflict of being true to her best self, while, at the same time, shaping herself for others, proves to have all sorts of consequences.

For Lily Bart, those consequences were tragic. Women in the 1990s have more freedom than the 1890s. Does Esther’s fate have to be as tragic? I had to keep writing and rewriting until I found my answer.
__________

Thank you so much for sharing this guest post with us today Victoria. I really am looking forward to reading your novel!
__________

About the Book (from publicist)

Set in the 1990s, Newport Beach, CA, This Vacant Paradise explores a world where money is god. A man’s worth is judged by the size of his boat, the make of his car. A woman’s value is assessed by the blank perfection of her quantifiable desirability: dress size, cup size, the whiteness of her teeth. Dependent on her family’s wealth, Esther, the novel’s 33-year-old heroine, decides to marry into the Newport elite when an unlikely candidate thwarts her plans.

In the tradition of Edith Wharton and Henry James, Victoria Patterson shines a keen and often wickedly humorous light on our very American obsessions with class, race, age, and the roles of men and women in the strive toward upward mobility. The novel traces Esther’s journey from a beautiful, yet deeply insecure woman, trapped by the ticking clock of her own desirability, to an awakened, independent individual, embarking on an alternate, unglamorous, and indefinable course. This Vacant Paradise is an honest examination of the difficulties of breaking out of the rigid value system laid upon us by society and family.

About the Author (from publicist)


Victoria Patterson is also the author of the story collection Drift, a Story Prize and California Book Award finalist and Best Books of 2009 selection by The San Francisco Chronicle. Her work has appeared in various publications and journals, including the Los Angeles Times, Alaska Quarterly Review, and the Southern Review. She lives with her family in Southern California and teaches through the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program and as a Visiting Assistant Professor at UC Riverside. For more info, please visit: www.victoriapatterson.net.
_________

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of This Vacant Paradise by Victoria Patterson to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you and please let me know in your comment so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, March 19, 2011. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Zibilee says

    March 1, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    I find the thought of this book very interesting. I loved The House of Mirth, and would be really interested in reading how Patterson translates this story into her own novel. Wonderful interview, Dar and Victoria! Please include me in your giveaway!!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  2. debbie says

    March 1, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    I would love to read it, it sounds really good.
    I am a gfc follower.
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  3. PoCoKat says

    March 1, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Would love to win this book, thanks for the opportunity.

    littleone AT shaw DOt ca

  4. PoCoKat says

    March 1, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    I follow on GFC

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

  5. Karen says

    March 1, 2011 at 4:14 pm

    Thank you for the great give away, please enter me to win.
    karen.hofmaier@gmail.com

  6. Karen says

    March 1, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    I am a GFC and RSS feed follower
    karen.hofmaier@gmail.com

  7. traveler says

    March 1, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    This unique book sounds fascinating. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  8. Karen B says

    March 1, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    Set in the 1990's but it sounds very much like 2011!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  9. Karen B says

    March 1, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    Email subscriber and GFC follower.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  10. petite says

    March 1, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    Loved this review and would enjoy this book. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

  11. Bethie says

    March 1, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  12. Zoë says

    March 1, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    thanks for hosting,t his book sounds great
    strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

  13. Zoë says

    March 1, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    I'm a gfc follower 🙂

    strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

  14. justpeachy36 says

    March 1, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Please enter me in the giveaway. I am a GFC follower.

  15. Carol N Wong says

    March 1, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    I remember visiting Newport Beach, it is a different world than mine. Those poor women need to get out and see other worlds. Pease enter me for this contest.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  16. Carol N Wong says

    March 1, 2011 at 8:12 pm

    I follow your blog with Google Friends Connect, Twitter, Facebook, Networked Blogs and an e-mail subscription.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  17. Carol N Wong says

    March 1, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Carolee888 is my Twitter name.

    I tweeted:
    https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/2011/03/guest-post-with-victoria-patterson.html? Giveaway of 'This Vacant World'

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  18. Rachel says

    March 1, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    I'm a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  19. Sandy Jay says

    March 1, 2011 at 10:03 pm

    I'd love to win this. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow your blog.

    I tweeted this at http://twitter.com/#!/ForWhlz/status/42706264781889536

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  20. Georgia Girls says

    March 1, 2011 at 10:48 pm

    Darlene, you are the winner of our meet-n-greet giveaway! I sent you an email.

  21. Rebecca Rasmussen says

    March 1, 2011 at 11:36 pm

    This book sounds wonderful — and I loved reading the guest post, too 🙂

  22. rubynreba says

    March 2, 2011 at 2:36 am

    Please enter me. Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  23. rubynreba says

    March 2, 2011 at 2:37 am

    I am a follower.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  24. Staci says

    March 2, 2011 at 2:52 am

    This one sounds good!!

    stacijoreads@gmail.com

  25. Brenda says

    March 2, 2011 at 3:50 am

    Please enter me! I am a follower (gfc) and a subcriber.
    I posted it to my blog: http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/03/peeking-between-pages-giveaway-from.html
    DanceAlertReads.blogspot.com

    dancealert at aol dot com

  26. a real librarian says

    March 2, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  27. a real librarian says

    March 2, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    I also follow! =)

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  28. Elisabeth says

    March 2, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    Sounds like a good read! The TBR grows again. Please enter me 2x. I am an addicted follower!

    ladybook21 at yahoo dot com

  29. pagesofjulia says

    March 2, 2011 at 7:53 pm

    Sounds like an interesting read. I'd like to win it but even if I don't, thanks for the tip!
    juliabethjenkins at gmail dot com.

  30. pagesofjulia says

    March 2, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    New follower 🙂
    juliabethjenkins at gmail dot com

  31. AmandaSue says

    March 3, 2011 at 4:46 am

    I'd love a chance into this giveaway thanks!

    ♥ unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com

  32. AmandaSue says

    March 3, 2011 at 4:47 am

    GFC Follower thanks.

    ♥ unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com

  33. Mona says

    March 6, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    This sounds like a great read and somewhat reminds me of a great movie I've seen recently, THE JONSES.

    +1 comment
    +2 GFC(Mona Garg) and email subscriber

    monagarg@yahoo.com

  34. Linda Kish says

    March 7, 2011 at 1:47 am

    My sister lived in Newport Beach in the 70s. I remember the interesting people who lived there.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  35. Linda Kish says

    March 7, 2011 at 1:48 am

    I am a GFC follower
    1
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  36. Linda Kish says

    March 7, 2011 at 1:48 am

    I am a GFC follower
    2
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  37. Anonymous says

    March 7, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    laxmikarumbu at gmail dot com

  38. Anita Yancey says

    March 8, 2011 at 12:20 am

    Loved reading about this book, it sounds really good. I know I would enjoy it. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  39. Anita Yancey says

    March 8, 2011 at 12:22 am

    Already follow on GFC #1.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  40. Anita Yancey says

    March 8, 2011 at 12:23 am

    Already follow on GFC #2.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  41. a real librarian says

    March 9, 2011 at 1:52 am

    Yay!! Great give!! Thanks so much!

    I also follow!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  42. Tiffany Drew says

    March 9, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    Awesome giveaway! Would love to read this 🙂

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  43. Tiffany Drew says

    March 9, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    I am a GFC follower 🙂

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  44. Tiffany Drew says

    March 9, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    Tweeted:

    http://twitter.com/#!/enterthedrew/status/45488431282929664

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  45. Colleen Turner says

    March 9, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    I would love to win this!
    candc320@gmail.com

  46. Colleen Turner says

    March 9, 2011 at 5:15 pm

    I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
    candc320@gmail.com

  47. Natasha says

    March 10, 2011 at 5:00 am

    Sounds like an interesting read.

    wedgeheadlove@yahoo.com

  48. Andrea says

    March 10, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    Looks interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.

    roarseto@yahoo.ca

  49. melissasmeanderings says

    March 14, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    +1 mk261274 at gmail dot com

    +1 I follow your blog
    +1 I posted to my giveaway links page

    http://melissasmeanderings.wordpress.com/book-contestsgiveaways/

  50. Dearheart says

    March 15, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    elizabeth_717@live.com
    I am also a follower!
    Thank you so much for the giveaway!!

  51. Vidisha says

    March 18, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    GFC follower

    vidishamun@gmail.com

  52. Christy says

    March 19, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    This sounds like a really interesting book!

    shortcut_2_mushrooms(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)nz

    +1 GFC follower: Christy

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