Interview with Sara Faring for The Tenth Girl
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Horror, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Synopsis:
Simmering in Patagonian myth, The Tenth Girl is a gothic psychological thriller with a haunting twist.
At the very southern tip of South America looms an isolated finishing school. Legend has it that the land will curse those who settle there. But for Mavi—a bold Buenos Aires native fleeing the military regime that took her mother—it offers an escape to a new life as a young teacher to Argentina’s elite girls.
Mavi tries to embrace the strangeness of the imposing house—despite warnings not to roam at night, threats from an enigmatic young man, and rumors of mysterious Others. But one of Mavi’s ten students is missing, and when students and teachers alike begin to behave as if possessed, the forces haunting this unholy cliff will no longer be ignored.
One of these spirits holds a secret that could unravel Mavi's existence. In order to survive she must solve a cosmic mystery—and then fight for her life.
Can you briefly describe THE TENTH GIRL and its characters?
Buenos Aires native Mavi tricks her way into a teaching role at an infamous Patagonian finishing school—and lives to regret it, as her fellow teachers begin to act suspiciously and one of her ten students goes missing.
Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?
This changes depending on my mood—today, it’s Angel, who uses dark humor & extravagant acts of kindness to cope with anxiety and pain.
How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?
My grandmother’s fantastical Argentine legends and stories inspired me—she spent many late nights weaving these magical, bizarre tales for me as I fell asleep, and I hope I can do the same for a grandchild one day…
If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?
I listened to this song thousands of times while writing The Tenth Girl. https://open.spotify.com/track/0P5bg4JX1fUplClPC0nkUS?si=4e9rf8upS9Sdd-DHB_-3jg
If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?
My grandmother convinced me that the astonishing half-Argentine actress Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch/Thoroughbreds) could handle Mavi, with her moon eyes.
Fall is here, and we love to go out and find the perfect cosy spot. What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?
A steaming mug of mate cocido in an overgrown garden, where the leaves are beginning to crisp and turn fire-orange.
Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish THE TENTH GIRL?
Read all of Shirley Jackson’s books (existentially chilling)! NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro. NEVERWORLD WAKE by Marisha Pessl. IMAGINARY GIRLS by Nova Ren Suma.
What’s next for you?
I’m writing a book about two estranged sisters returning home to a mysterious island, a decade after their mother disappeared.
Born in Los Angeles, Sara Faring is a
multi-lingual Argentine-American fascinated by literary puzzles. After
working in investment banking at J.P. Morgan, she worked at Penguin Random
House. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in International
Studies and from the Wharton School in Business. She currently resides in New
York City.
Her first novel, The Tenth Girl, will be released by Macmillan/Imprint on
September 24, 2019. Sara is represented by Sarah Bedingfield at Levine
Greenberg Rostan Agency.
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