Blog Tour: Wrinkled Rebels by Laura Katz Olson #blogtour #literary #fiction #historical #giveaway #interview #rabtbooktours @lauralee111 @RABTBookTours

Literary Novel / Historical Fiction

Date Published: 07-23-2024

Publisher: Vine Leaves Press

Now 80 years old, retirement and advanced age have dissipated the spirit of six college radicals of the 1960s, who jointly had participated in civil rights campaigns and anti-war protests. Having engaged in only periodic communication over the decades, they suddenly receive an invitation to reunite for an extended weekend. Struggling with whether to go, each of them has divergent qualms and expectations for the proposed gathering.

During their three days together, they confront their inner demons, each other, and their future. Does Rebecca, the prime mover of the event, find solace after losing her wife and career? Can Malaika regain her sense of self after stepping down from her successful law practice? Mourning the loss of her youthful athletic prowess and attractiveness, what happens when Deanna faces her old friends?

Struggling with two divorces and a failing marriage, can Russell attain peace of mind? How will Max, an expat living in Canada, manage with his incipient dementia? Will the demoralized Keith recover his idealism?

Wrinkled Rebels is a story of how six people achieve meaningful lives through the struggle for social justice. It is also a tale of love, the bonds of friendship, and growing old positively.

INTERVIEW

Is There a Message in Your Novel That You Want Readers to Grasp?

I have studied politics and policies of aging, along with U.S. healthcare, my entire career (since 1974) and have written several books on the subjects. At the same time, I recently reached age 80 and am struggling with many age-based concerns myself. In this novel I wanted to explore the physical and emotional issues of old age through the perspective of six baby boomers. A few of my characters in Wrinkled Rebels (Russell, Malaika, Rebecca) wrestle with life after retirement, something I, too, am grappling with (even though I’m still working). I would like my readers to realize that they are not alone in these struggles. I also would like them to appreciate political activism and the bonds of life-long friendships.

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

I have published nine non-fiction books, focusing on U.S. healthcare, including the frail elderly. Elder Care Journey: A View from the Front Lines relates my personal experiences as a caregiver for my mother and was extremely cathartic to explore some deep-seated feelings, as well as expose on the ground political, social and economic realities. My most successful book to date is Ethically Challenged: Private Equity Storms U.S. Health Care (2022), which won several gold medals. The first book to address private equity and healthcare, it raises the curtain on an industry notorious for its secrecy, exposing the dark side of its maneuvers. I tackle the dynamics that enable financial engineering and other predatory PE tactics, and the consequences for healthcare businesses, clients, taxpayers, front line workers and society at large.

But my favorite book, by far, is my novel Wrinkled Rebels. Now 80 years old, retirement and advanced age have crushed the spirit of six committed college radicals of the 1960s, who together had participated in civil rights campaigns and anti-war protests. Having pursued separate careers and engaging in only periodic communication with each other over the decades, they suddenly receive an invitation to gather for an extended weekend at a country cabin. Struggling with the vagaries of old age, they have divergent expectations from the get-together. During the three days together, the old friends confront their inner demons, each other, and their future. They also bond through shared stories, politics, and long conversations. They realize that despite their decades of separation, they still speak the same language.

If You had the chance to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?

I have six main characters. For the three women I would choose Pam Grier, Jane Fonda and Kathy Bates. For the three men, I would choose Jack Nicholson, Harrison Ford and Robert De Niro.

When did you begin writing?

I have been writing nonfiction for over fifty years but novels only since 2002. Wrinkled Rebels, to be released July 23, 2024 by Vine Leaves Press, is my second novel.

How long did it take to complete your first book?

It generally takes a year or two of research and another year to write. As with my academic books, Wrinkled Rebels took me three years altogether.

Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?

In my early adult years, I was most inspired by The Magic Mountain, by Thomas Mann. He was able to adroitly capture characters, scenes, and ideas without much actual action.

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

One of my favorite parts is discovering metaphors—seeking a direct similarity or comparison between an object or action that I am describing and something else that is not literally true.

I also enjoyed falling in love with my characters, who became part of my life during this time. It was exciting to develop them as people and let them explain themselves through their discussions with each other. Despite their flaws, I wanted to portray my characters sympathetically so that readers would appreciate their ideas and goals. I felt sad when it was finished, like I lost some friends.

I also loved researching the 1960s/1970s and the activists who were part of the era.

Describe your latest book in 4 words.

Wrinkled Rebels: aging; hopeful; inspiring; political activism

Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is in the future for your writing?

In my next novel, I’m hoping to write about nursing homes from the perspective of a private equity firm owner, nurse’s aide, a frail older person living in a facility, and her daughter. I have discussed nursing homes extensively in my nonfiction books but hope to use fiction to personalize the issues.

About the Author

Laura Katz Olson, AGF Distinguished Professor of Political Science, has taught at Lehigh University since 1974. To date, she has published nine nonfiction books, focusing on aging and healthcare. Her latest, Ethically Challenged: Private Equity Storms U.S. Health Care has been awarded several gold medals, including from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and the Benjamin Franklin Awards. Elder Care Journey: A View from the Front Lines, which relates her personal experiences as a caregiver for her mother, won a Gold Medal in the Ninth Annual Living Now Book Awards. Wrinkled Rebels is her second novel.

Contact Links

Twitter @lauralee111

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