Oprah Winfrey

Okay, so I will tell you that I read chapter one sometimes just to soothe myself, particularly in these times. And over Christmas holidays, I was with my chosen family. I've raised these girls since they were 12 years old. And now they're in their 30s. And there were four of us at my house. And we were sitting around a crackling fire. Reading out loud. Chapter one.

I mean, when I think of that, I think about the people as teenagers drinking in their father's trucks. And I think, wow, all of that's true. And then time passes and then they're sitting there in the same trucks or different trucks. And there they are with the babies in their arms and they don't even know how they got there. How were you able to able to get that?

I mean, when I think of that, I think about the people as teenagers drinking in their father's trucks. And I think, wow, all of that's true. And then time passes and then they're sitting there in the same trucks or different trucks. And there they are with the babies in their arms and they don't even know how they got there. How were you able to able to get that?

I mean, when I think of that, I think about the people as teenagers drinking in their father's trucks. And I think, wow, all of that's true. And then time passes and then they're sitting there in the same trucks or different trucks. And there they are with the babies in their arms and they don't even know how they got there. How were you able to able to get that?

And then life goes on. Yeah. And you think life goes on just as it was before. Right. Yes. Well, High is a 19-year-old who meets Grazina, an elderly woman who brings hope into High's life against all odds. And she and High form an unlikely friendship. What was your intention in bringing these two characters together?

And then life goes on. Yeah. And you think life goes on just as it was before. Right. Yes. Well, High is a 19-year-old who meets Grazina, an elderly woman who brings hope into High's life against all odds. And she and High form an unlikely friendship. What was your intention in bringing these two characters together?

And then life goes on. Yeah. And you think life goes on just as it was before. Right. Yes. Well, High is a 19-year-old who meets Grazina, an elderly woman who brings hope into High's life against all odds. And she and High form an unlikely friendship. What was your intention in bringing these two characters together?

Was there a Grazina in your life? Because you dedicate the book to Grazina. And you say, in memory of Grazina.

Was there a Grazina in your life? Because you dedicate the book to Grazina. And you say, in memory of Grazina.

Was there a Grazina in your life? Because you dedicate the book to Grazina. And you say, in memory of Grazina.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, that's why I loved on page 253 where Grazina is talking and she says... To be alive and try to be a decent person and not turn it into anything big or grand, that's the hardest thing of all. You think being president is hard? Ha. Didn't you notice that every president becomes a millionaire after he leaves office?

Well, that's why I loved on page 253 where Grazina is talking and she says... To be alive and try to be a decent person and not turn it into anything big or grand, that's the hardest thing of all. You think being president is hard? Ha. Didn't you notice that every president becomes a millionaire after he leaves office?

Well, that's why I loved on page 253 where Grazina is talking and she says... To be alive and try to be a decent person and not turn it into anything big or grand, that's the hardest thing of all. You think being president is hard? Ha. Didn't you notice that every president becomes a millionaire after he leaves office?

If you can be nobody and stand on your own two feet for as long as I have, that's enough. People don't know what's enough, LaBosse. That's their problem. They think they suffer, but they're actually just bored. They don't eat enough carrots. I love that. But I love that because she's so, that is so right.

If you can be nobody and stand on your own two feet for as long as I have, that's enough. People don't know what's enough, LaBosse. That's their problem. They think they suffer, but they're actually just bored. They don't eat enough carrots. I love that. But I love that because she's so, that is so right.

If you can be nobody and stand on your own two feet for as long as I have, that's enough. People don't know what's enough, LaBosse. That's their problem. They think they suffer, but they're actually just bored. They don't eat enough carrots. I love that. But I love that because she's so, that is so right.

I mean, to be able to stand on your own and to continue to be kind in a world that's often very unkind to you, that's the real hard work. Yeah. Thank you for choosing the Oprah podcast and for listening to my conversation with celebrated writer Ocean Vaughn. His extraordinary novel, The Emperor of Gladness, is my 114th Oprah's Book Club pick. And let me just say, I just think it's a must read.