Curtis Sittenfeld, author of the best-selling novel "Prep," read from her latest work, "The Man of My Dreams," Wednesday evening at the Brown Bookstore. After eliciting laughter and praise from a supportive crowd, Sittenfeld took questions and signed books for a group of about 20.
"Prep," Sittenfeld's first book, earned a fan base ranging from young adolescents to adults upon its publication in 2005 and quickly rose to the top of best-seller lists. Named one of the "Best Books of 2005" by the New York Times, "Prep" recounts the experiences of a teenage girl from small-town Indiana at a privileged Massachusetts boarding school. Paramount recently optioned the film rights for the book.
"The Man of My Dreams," released in paperback Tuesday, follows the life of a young woman over the span of 16 years.
After an introduction by the bookstore's event coordinator, Susan Schlesinger, an interim supervisor for cashiering, Sittenfeld read two selections from her new book. "Her name is Hannah, and basically, she's socially awkward," Sittenfeld said in introducing the excerpts. The description of Hannah's anxieties over college social life while at Tufts University drew compassionate laughter from listeners.
Before the reading, Sittenfeld told The Herald that she felt drawn to portray the loneliness and unhappiness frequently overlooked in media portrayals and social myths of college life. "I do think that college students are a significant portion of my readers," she said.
Sittenfeld, whose sister attends the Rhode Island School of Design, said she was eager to visit Providence on her book tour. Lee, the main character in "Prep," chose Brown as her top choice when applying to college.
Sittenfeld, who attended the Massachusetts preparatory academy Groton School, said she applied regular decision to Brown and was rejected. She later reapplied and was accepted as a transfer student from Vassar but opted to attend Stanford instead.
"Brown held this sort of mystique" for both her and Lee, Sittenfeld said, describing her initial impression of Brown as having an "aura of coolness."
"Now I get to come read here. It's as good as a degree," Sittenfeld joked.
After the reading, Sittenfeld took several questions from the audience. When asked about her next book, she replied that though she has begun writing, she prefers not to discuss its details. "It's like a delicate orchid or something that can't be exposed to air or light," she said with a laugh.
Sittenfeld's lighthearted commentary on her writing - such as her remark that "obviously I think neurotic young women are just fascinating" - was met with warm laughter from audience members. The author jokingly professed worry over whether she was "doing a good job selling (The Man of My Dreams)."
"I haven't gotten my banter down yet," Sittenfeld laughed.
While waiting for Sittenfeld to sign her books after the question-and-answer period, Lizzie Baron '10 said she had enjoyed both novels. "I think it makes everyone who reads them feel a little less neurotic," she said.
Schlesinger noted that Sittenfeld's visit drew an enthusiastic crowd and was a success. "It's great to have that kind of support for the author," she said.
