In conversation with Alice Sebold, Birmingham REP - review

In conversation events provide real insight into the people who create work for public consumption, whether its a film, documentary or book, understanding their thought processes and the experience is incredibly interesting. Hearing Alice’s story so far was enlightening.

Set in a small, intimate theatre room at the Birmingham Rep, the warm, wise and thoughtful manner of Alice Sebold discussed her career in a special In Conversation event that tied in with the recent production of The Lovely Bones, commissioned by the theatre.

The analysing everything that led the author to the point in her life she finds herself in. This included Alice’s college rape that inspired her first piece of a work, a memoir titled Lucky which followed the aftermath of her attack.

Alice’s honest manner was inspiring as she openly discussed her own mental health issues and insecurities stating that there’s no point ignoring how you feel, that you have to own up to it and roll with it.

With her sensational first novel, The Lovely Bones, perhaps being the most famous in her back catalogue of work she discussed her methodology when creating it, as she returned to the draft on numerous occasions.

Though she didn’t initially realise the success the novel had become, she mentioned that the play affected her in the same emotional manner as the book had done in 2002 and in her eyes the play captured the essence of what she had created.

The political atmosphere in America makes Alice’s work all the more relevant, after the election of Trump to the White House her motivation in life changed. Taking a break from writing she began holding talks and Q&A’s in various parts of America to understand the opinions of people today.

Demonstrating her hardworking and caring nature, Alice emphasised that there’s a dangerous culture of judgement if someone uses politically incorrect language or holds a less left-wing opinion than the majority. In an effort to combat this she creates a closed space for these talks so that rational discussion can dominate.

With a short Q&A at the end the evening had a more informal feel that the writer thrived in.

Informing everyone that her mentality is that you can only do as much as you can she recommended books that she herself loves such as Rage Becomes Her. Finishing the sessions by stating that writing is something she feels she needs to do, we can certainly expect more from this very intelligent woman.

By Eleanor Forrest