In Episode 182, author Chelsea Bieker discusss her new novel, Madwoman, with Sarah. Chelsea shares how her own childhood inspired the fictional characters in her book and what parts of the book differ from her own experience. They talk about the trajectory of this intense and personal novel that began as a “funny little book about motherhood” and morphed into a story about trauma and abuse. Plus, Chelsea shares her book recommendations.
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Highlights
- Books by Chelsea Bieker: Madwoman (2024), Heartbroke (2022), and Godshot (2020)
- A spoiler-free overview of Madwoman.
- How this story transformed from a “funny little book about motherhood” to an intense story about trauma and abuse.
- The ways Chelsea’s childhood experiences and memories shaped her story of Clove.
- The parts of Madwoman that were pulled directly from her own life and those that weren’t.
- Exploring the publisher’s statement that Madwoman would be Chelsea’s breakout.
- Conversations with her mom and dad about the book’s story.
- The relationship between Madwoman, Godshot, and Chelsea’s current work in progress.
Chelsea’s Book Recommendations [46:01]
Two OLD Books She Loves
- Animal by Lisa Taddeo (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:23]
- Hot Springs Drive by Lindsay Hunter (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:04]
Two NEW Books She Loves
- We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:09]
- Solider Sailor by Claire Kilroy (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:09]
One Book She DIDN’T Love
- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:48]
One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About
- The Motherload by Sarah Hoover (Jan 14, 2025) | Amazon
| Bookshop.org [01:01:49]
Last 5-Star Book Chelsea Read
- How to Love Your Daughter by Hila Blum (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [01:03:42]
- Other Books Mentioned:
- I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin (2023) [01:04:04]
About Chelsea Bieker
Website | Instagram | X | Facebook | Substack
Chelsea Bieker is the author of three books, most recently the nationally bestselling novel, Madwoman, a Book of the Month club pick the New York Times calls “brilliant in its depiction of the long shadows cast by domestic violence.” Her first novel, Godshot, was long-listed for The Center For Fiction’s First Novel Prize and named a Barnes & Noble Pick of the Month. Her story collection, Heartbroke, won the California Book Award and was a New York Times “Best California Book of 2022.” Her writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Marie Claire UK, People, The Cut, Wall Street Journal, No Tokens, and others. She is the recipient of a Rona Jaffe Writers’ Award, as well as residencies from MacDowell and Tin House. Raised in Hawai’i and California, she now lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two children.
Next Episode
In two weeks (November 27), Susie and Sarah will start wrapping up the year of reading with Best Books of 2024 Superlatives.
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