Review Fix chats with author Mitchell Kriegman, who discusses his new book, “Things I Can’t Explain.†Breaking down the inspiration for the book and his career in television Kriegman lets us know exactly what makes this work a special one.
About “Things I Can’t Explainâ€:
From Clarissa Explains It All creator Mitchell Kriegman comes a re-imagining of the beloved 90s Nickelodeon series and everyoneʼs favorite precocious teenage fashionista, Clarissa Darling. Things I Canʼt Explain answers the questions fans have been asking since the end of the series, as now grown-up Clarissa struggles to answer questions of her own and learns to cope with new relationships and responsibilities.
For more on the book, click here.
Review Fix: How did Being Audrey Hepburn get you to this point?
Mitchell Kriegman: I wouldn’t have thought of writing Clarissa in novel form, Things I Can’t Explain, if I hadn’t written Being Audrey Hepburn. It opened up lots of possibilities for me.
Review Fix: How will fans of your television work feel about Things I Can’t Explain?
Kriegman: Some will feel nostalgic and wish to preserve their memories, others will be curious about the potential future for their favorite characters. Everyone gets to own Clarissa in their own way. That’s always been the case. All responses are good and I don’t mind a little controversy. Interestingly, I found that people were most upset that Janet and Marshall weren’t getting along. It made me realized how much the parents meant to them and how incredible those two actors were. But if they’re upset about that, there’s even more to be upset about inside the rest of the book.
Review Fix: What authors inspire you? Why?
Kriegman: Every author inspires me – Susanna Clark who wrote Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is amazing. Murakami is incredible. Jeff VanderMeer, Neil Gaiman, John Green, Kate Atkinson just to name a few. All have an amazing command of language story and character. But it’s character that look for most. The only thing that surprises is character.
Review Fix: Who do you think would enjoy Things I Can’t Explain the most?
Kriegman: Everyone even if you haven’t seen the TV series. It’s mostly a comedy romance filled with lots of inside jokes on the old show – that you don’t have to know to enjoy. And the character has a strong voice that I think people will love and easily fall into her flow.
Review Fix: What have you learned about yourself through the writing of this book?
Kriegman: That I need to keep writing.
Review Fix: Bottom line, why should someone read Things I Can’t Explain?
Kriegman: It’s great. It’s ridiculous. It’s sad. And where else can you read about how Clarissa sexplains it all.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Kriegman: Something dark and disturbing I hope.
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