MANSFIELD — One of my favorite authors is coming to Mansfield this week. Donald Ray Pollock will be in town on Friday, Aug. 5 to take part in a ‘book talk’ event at Main St Books.
Up for discussion will be his latest novel ‘The Heavenly Table,’ which promises to be just as dark, twisted and entertaining as his previous works.
Earlier this week I spoke with Pollock by phone at his home in Chillicothe; he was gracious enough to give me some of his time and let me ask a few questions.
Pollock is known for writing about his native Ohio, and, more specifically, Southern Ohio. I asked him if he’d ever lived anywhere else.
“Never. I’ve lived in Ross County, Ohio my whole life.”
And do you feel yourself that there is something distinct about the southern half of the state?
“Yes, I do feel that. I don’t know why, really … it’s to do with the topography, I think. The hills stop about 15 miles north of here and it flattens out quite a bit. It just feels different somehow.”
Pollock’s first book was Knockemstiff (2008), published when he was in his mid-50s. Prior to that he had worked various blue-collar jobs, the longest stint being at the Mead Paper Mill in Chillicothe.
The book is a collection of darkly humorous tales that takes its name from the small rural hamlet the author was born and raised in.
“I left Knockemstiff when I was 18,” Pollock told me. “Back then it was still a community, with bars, a store and so on. Chillicothe was the nearest big town, and I knew people who didn’t go there more than twice a year. You could subsist on what you had locally. That’s all gone now.”
Pollock’s first published work was ‘Bactine,’ a short story (later collected in ‘Knockemstiff’) which appeared in The Journal, Ohio State University’s literary magazine. It was soon followed by other successful submissions and Michelle Herman – a faculty member and one of the journal’s editors – persuaded Pollock to enroll in a writing program at the school.
‘Knockemstiff’ was published to great acclaim while Pollock was still attending classes, and was followed by ‘The Devil All the Time’ in 2011. Described (favorably) by the Washington Post as ‘a literary tsunami of pure evil,’ this powerful novel is strong meat indeed: a murderous rural tale packed with incident and rich characters, and an irresistible vein of gallows humor.
Despite, or perhaps because of, the strong local flavor that runs through Pollock’s work, his books have found much success abroad. So far, he’s been translated into at least 16 languages and won several international awards.
I was curious about the process and asked Pollock if he worked directly with the translators.
“Usually I don’t speak with them, other than to maybe say ‘hi’ if we’re introduced. But sometimes it’s more than that. The translator for the French edition of the new book, for example, has asked a lot of questions. He really wanted to get it right.
“I do a lot of publicity in Europe. I must’ve have been over about a dozen times in the last few years. I get invited to festivals, awards, that kind of thing. I’ll be going to England and France next month.”
I asked how it felt to be appreciated by such a diverse set of readers.
“You know, to be accepted by all those folks … it’s almost surreal. When we talk over there they want to know about America, about politics, about gun laws, all the stuff that everyone here knows all about.
“They want my opinion, but I try to keep out of it (politics) as much as I can. I think I’m a happier person because of it.”
Bearing that in mind, I asked if he would ever consider writing election dispatches again, as he did for the New York Times in 2008.
“Well, I haven’t been asked,” he chuckled, “but anyway, I’m not tempted. It was a good deal when it happened, it was good experience, but the truth is I’d much rather make up a story than deal with reality.
“Actually ‘The Heavenly Table’ did start out as more of a historical novel, in the beginning. Closer to reality. If it had stayed that way there would have been a lot of facts that I’d have to stick with … but in the end I came up with my main characters, the three brothers, and decided they would be the story.”
Are you working on something new already?
“I’m the kind of guy who can only do one thing at a time. If I’m focused on this kind of thing (publicity), I can’t get into the story.
“But I’ve started on something new and I at least hope to get some time with it before I leave for France and England.”
How much of the story do you know in advance?
“With this new book, almost nothing. It just started with a place name: Rainsboro. The name just sort of clicked.”
Donald Ray Pollock will be appearing at Main St Books, 104 N Main St, Mansfield on Friday, Aug. 5 to discuss and sign copies of his latest novel, ‘The Heavenly Table.’ The event will begin at 6 p.m.
