David Marchese

You don't have to finish the story. Can I give you a hug? Would you like... It's okay. I really appreciate that you're being honest, but if it's too much, we can just stop. So you just tell me, okay?

You don't have to finish the story. Can I give you a hug? Would you like... It's okay. I really appreciate that you're being honest, but if it's too much, we can just stop. So you just tell me, okay?

Yeah. You know, as we move forward, you should definitely just feel free to tell me if you need a break or if anything feels too intense. Thank you. Because I'm looking at my questions, you know, it's not going to get easier. I didn't think I would be here this quick either. But, you know, I realize in – the way I've described the novel.

Yeah. You know, as we move forward, you should definitely just feel free to tell me if you need a break or if anything feels too intense. Thank you. Because I'm looking at my questions, you know, it's not going to get easier. I didn't think I would be here this quick either. But, you know, I realize in – the way I've described the novel.

I've elided one of the most important aspects of the story, and that's the central relationship of the novel is between a young Vietnamese immigrant character named Hai. Yeah. and an 82-year-old Lithuanian woman whose name is Grazina. Grazina, yeah. And high and winds up through sort of series of twists and turns becoming a caregiver for Grazina who has dementia.

I've elided one of the most important aspects of the story, and that's the central relationship of the novel is between a young Vietnamese immigrant character named Hai. Yeah. and an 82-year-old Lithuanian woman whose name is Grazina. Grazina, yeah. And high and winds up through sort of series of twists and turns becoming a caregiver for Grazina who has dementia.

And the novel is dedicated to a real life Grazina. Yeah. Can you tell me about who she was and what your relationship with her was? She's my partner's grandmother.

And the novel is dedicated to a real life Grazina. Yeah. Can you tell me about who she was and what your relationship with her was? She's my partner's grandmother.

Sort of a waiting lounge.

Sort of a waiting lounge.

Just what was happening.

Just what was happening.

So you had the experience of Being a caregiver for her and I think also for your mom when your mom was dying from cancer, what did you learn about caregiving or what did it teach you? Because I think until we've gone through it, we can look at it almost as like a penalty or something that's solely to be endured without any other positive qualities. But what was your experience?

So you had the experience of Being a caregiver for her and I think also for your mom when your mom was dying from cancer, what did you learn about caregiving or what did it teach you? Because I think until we've gone through it, we can look at it almost as like a penalty or something that's solely to be endured without any other positive qualities. But what was your experience?

It's not a world away from the idea you said earlier of kindness without hope.

It's not a world away from the idea you said earlier of kindness without hope.

Do you think it changed the kind of writer you are?

Do you think it changed the kind of writer you are?

You mean who you support financially?

You mean who you support financially?