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Meet the Author: Clyde Edgerton
Mr. Edgerton was born May 20, 1944 in Durham, North Carolina, and holds a B.A., M.A.T. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Married for the second time to Kristina Jones, he has two children, Catherine and Nathan. Clyde Edgerton never thought he would grow up to be a writer, yet he says the stories from the rural South that he heard as a child was a great preparation for a writing career. “If I can get a handle on a good character,” says Mr. Edgerton, “then everything else follows, including the plot.” His books are humorous with vivid characterization, yet filled with warmth and compassion. As Times critic, Ann Martin asserts, “…when you finish one of his novels, you feel as if you have a new friend." Mae Miller, reviewer for Publisher’s Weekly adds that, “Edgerton’s genius lies in his depiction of essential human truths.”
Q&A with Clyde Edgerton
Q: Mr. Edgerton, several of your characters are eccentric and elderly, yet also warm and compassionate. You obviously have a great deal of understanding for older people - can you give us some idea of why you have this affinity for the elderly and why you made them warmly sympathetic in your novels?
A: My mother was almost 40 when I was born. She had two sisters about her age. They were childless. I was an only child and thus grew up, in some respects, with three grandmothers. I spent a lot of time with them.
They were funny and warm and loving and lived a long time, so I got to know them well. Additionally, my mother was taught as a child to visit and care for
the elderly in the community, so as she did that she took me along on visits.
Q: Can you share with us something about yourself that is not commonly known?
A: I have an interest in the philosophy of John Dewey and Ludwig Wittgenstein. I've read some (not all) of the writing of each and I think they have much to say to any generation.
Q: You have worked with Alqonquin of Chapel Hill and Ballantine Books which have published several of your books. Could you characterize some of the aspects of the author-publisher relationship and how that might influence your work?
A: Algonquin has been home to Louis Rubin and Shannon Ravenel. Each of them has read and commented extensively on each of my novels as it was being written . They are exceptionally good editors and any success my books have had, especially critical success, is due in part to their patient and insightful suggestions and guidance. Ballantine has been faithful in publishing all my paperbacks except the one, REDEYE, A WESTERN.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, past or present, who would it
be?
A: My Uncle Alfred, a man about whom I've heard so many stories--from aunts
and uncles on my mother's side of the family. He died in 1927, before I was born, but even so, he's one of my favorite uncles.
Q: How would you characterize the term, 'Southern literature' and why is it so distinctive?
A: People interested in the concept "Southern Literature" should read the introduction to the book A GALLERY OF SOUTHERNERS by Louis Rubin. He describes and explains the South as a community and he also explains the writing which grew from it. He covers the influence of religion, race, climate, and agriculture on writers from the south.
Q: What is your greatest ambition at this point in your life, and how would you characterize any future challenges both professionally and personally?
A: My greatest ambition is to be a good father and husband. I have a daughter, a young son and another child on the way (due date: 2 April 05). Additionally, I'd like to finish six to ten more novels, and be a helpful teacher of writing at UNC-Wilmington, where I now teach.
Interview Date: November 2004
Profile and questions compiled by Rosanne L., Matthews Branch Library
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