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18 II NOVELIST POST
NEWYORKTIMESBESTSELLINGAUTHOR
INTERVIEW
Jamie Beck masterfully weaves themes of grief, redemption, and love in 'Before I Knew'. With complex characters and heartfelt emotion, this compelling story of second chances keeps you hooked as secrets unfold. A satisfying start to 'The Cabots' series.
In this interview, originally Beck shares
her unfiltered thoughts on books that have shaped her, characters who inspire her, and her enduring admiration for literary icons like Jodi Picoult and John Irving. From her thoughtful reflections on what moves her most in literature to her favorite lesser-known reads, Beck’s insights offer an inspiring glimpse into the mind behind the magic. Whether you are an avid fan or new to her work, this conversation serves as a testament to Beck’s mastery of her craft and her unwavering passion for storytelling. We are thrilled to spotlight her here at Novelist Post, where great fiction finds its champions.
Literary Inspiration From a Bestselling Author
Jamie Beck Reflects on Storytelling, Inspiration, and the Power of Literature
Bestselling author Jamie Beck discusses her favorite books, literary inspirations, unforgettable heroines, and her love for emotionally and intellectually compelling stories that challenge and change how readers view the world.
TJhe Writing Desk London
under her belt, Beck is not just a prolific storyteller but also a powerhouse of literary talent. Her works, which have earned critical praise and captivated more than three million readers globally, are known for their intelligent plots, heartwarming moments, and indelible honesty. A two-time finalist for the Booksellers’ Best Award and a winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award, Beck has a penchant for delivering characters you root for, stories that touch your soul, and themes that stay with you long after the final page. Her novels, such as If You Must Know and The Memory of You, showcase her rare ability to examine life’s challenges—family, love, loss, and forgive- ness—with grace and authenticity.
amie Beck’s ability to weave vivid, emotionally resonant stories has firmly established her at the pinnacle of contemporary fiction. With eighteen acclaimed novels
York Times review of the story. The premise
is centered around a teenage murder-suicide, and is told from the viewpoints of the father of the murdered teen, the murdering teen himself (his chapters are all on “his last day”), and a mysterious teen girl both boys met not long before the murder/suicide occurs. As I said in part of my Goodreads review, “It's masterful, plumbing the depths of what it means to be human, and forcing the readers to question what we believe about concepts like truth, evil, God/ divine, as well as being a handbook on how to go about the business of forgiveness.” It’s not an easy read, but it’s really captivating, and it will leave you changed for having read it.
Which two writers do you admire most?
This is a terribly difficult question because
I admire many authors for many different reasons. That said, if pressed, Jodi Picoult has long been an author I have admired not only
for her skillful and thoroughly researched storytelling, but also because she’s unafraid to tackle life’s and society’s complex problems. Her gift for looking at multiple sides of issues is unparalleled and something I strive to do in my own work.
What is your favorite book that no one has heard of?
Last year I read WHAT COMES AFTER, a debut by Joanne Tompkins, after seeing a New
HOUSE RULES are also tremendously rich and compelling stories. He’s another author who takes on big issues but sets them in small families and communities, where a reader can chew on the complexities in a safe and familiar space.
Another author I’ve always admired is John Irving. A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY remains an all-time favorite, but THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP and CIDER
Who is your favorite fictional heroine?
This is fairly easy because I still often think about Isabelle Rossignol from Kristin Hannah’s