A Conversation with Richard Russo: Part I -- Writing About Class

It's a long way from Thomaston, New York to Venice, Italy -- unless you go by way of the book jacket for 'Bridge of Sighs,' Richard Russo's lyrical new novel.

As he discusses in this interview, the connected images of a woodland footbridge and the famous bridge of the title make connections in a reader's head, too. Of course, you might find the jacket image terribly depressing: these folks certainly did, and they argue that because there is joy in the book as well as sadness, that this cover design might miss the mark. However, it's interesting to me that Russo himself loves the book jacket, because he's far from a depressing person. The first sound you'll hear from him on this tape is a huge laugh, as I ask him how he wound up writing about Venice, that most romantic and storied of places, after setting his previous books in crumbling, forlorn Northeastern cities.

Most people I know love Russo's writing, even if they've only read one of his books -- but I believe one of the things that comes through best in this interview is the fact that Russo is a man who has found that blessed balance most of us would like to have in our lives, or at some point in our lives. He believes in hard work but he also believes in the power of the intellect. I dare you to finish watching and not wish that he were your brother, uncle, professor, best friend...