Brooklyn Bookbeat: Author’s first novel in 17 years explores ‘Life After Life’
Jill McCorkle, author of nine previous books, is coming out this month with “Life After Life” – her first novel in seventeen years. Set at Pine Haven Estates, a retirement facility in Fulton, North Carolina, “Life After Life” follows the stories of several of the residents. Among the complex characters are Sadie Randolph, a third-grade teacher who believes in the longevity of youth; Stanley Stone, a retired lawyer who pretends to suffer from dementia; Marge Walker, who compiles a scrapbook for every local crime; and Rachel Silverman, a recent widow who mysteriously arrives in Fulton from Massachusetts.
The residents rely heavily on staff members C.J., a pierced and tattooed mother who runs the beauty shop, and Joanna, a hospice volunteer who has found her calling helping the elderly. McCorkle intricately develops her characters, highlighting their assets and flaws and connecting their lives through their pasts, their present, and even their deaths.
McCorkle will be appearing at DUMBO’s powerHouse Arena on Friday, March 15 for a book launch party. She will discuss her book with award-winning writer Christine Schutt. In celebration of the book’s release, Brooklyn Eagle spoke to McCorkle, who tells us about the novel she’s “always wanted to write.”