THE WD INTERVIEW Susan Orlean
Susan Orlean thought she was done writing books until she heard about the 1986 fire that devastated the Los Angeles Public Library. The story so intrigued her that she spent four years researching and writing about it. The Library Book tells the story of the fire, which destroyed or damaged more than a million books, but also delves into the role of libraries throughout history and around the world, as well as Orlean’s love affair with libraries, which started when she was a little girl visiting the library with her mother.
A longtime staff writer for The New Yorker, Orlean has written about everyone and everything, including the weird subculture of orchid fanatics (The Orchid Thief), which was adapted into the 2002 movie Adaptation. Orlean’s storytelling also includes the tale of one of Hollywood’s most famous dogs (Rin Tin Tin) and profiles of unusual individuals, such as Spain’s first female bullfighter. Her dedication to story has made her one of the most admired figures in contemporary journalism.
Orlean talked to WD about the challenges of creating The Library Book, why the story intrigued her, how libraries meet the needs of 21st century patrons and some thoughts about craft.
The title of The Librarycan be interpreted in different ways. What does the title mean to you?
