Press- The Writing University Podcast (2019) - Episode 116: Transforming Life Into Writing - Eric Goodman
- Eleventh Hour Talk - The Power and Place of Place (2016) - Summer Writers Festival, Iowa City, Iowa - Write the Book (2012) Interview with Shelagh Shapiro, Burlington Vermont - Place, Race & History - Writing About Subjects that Terrify Us - (2012) Summer Writers Festival radio interview, Iowa City, Iowa - Faculty Spotlight (2014), Miami University, Miami Ohio - Live from Prairie Lights (2005), Live reading and interview from Child of My Right Hand, Iowa City, Iowa |
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https://booklife.com/project/cuppy-and-stew-46768
Cuppy & Stew Press
Book Life: June 12, 2020:
https://booklife.com/project/cuppy-and-stew-46768
Real People, Real Tragedy — A Story Told the Way it Must Have Happened — Grabs Readers in Eric Goodman’s New Can’t-Put-it-Down Novel, Cuppy and Stew... Over the years, novelist Eric Goodman’s books have been described in many ways – readable, fascinating, raw, honest. He describes his latest work a little differently -- part historical novel, part memoir, part love story. Goodman might be a little too modest when referring to Cuppy and Stew (IF SF Publishing, San Francisco), as this book also deserves such superlatives as riveting, touching, powerful. Cuppy and Stew tells the story of a real-life tragedy, the bombing of United Flight 629, the first example of American air piracy in 1955 that exploded the aircraft twelve minutes after taking off, killing everyone aboard. Knowing what is to come engages the reader totally at the very outset by going back to where and how this incredible couple met and became parents of two daughters, Sherry and Susan, who were so very young when their parents were taken from them on that ill-fated United airplane. The story, narrated by the younger daughter Susan, takes these girls from childhood into young adulthood, through all the very real as well as imagined struggles of youngsters forced to grow up too soon, too fast. Perhaps the most fascinating fact is that Susan, in real life, is married to author Eric Goodman. Cuppy and Stew were her own parents, featured in a work of fiction, yes, but in a story so eloquently told, they will no doubt join the ranks of Goodman’s most unforgettable characters.
Reviews
Creative writing professor Goodman (Twelfth and Race) merges memoir and historical fiction in this engrossing tale of love, tragedy, and perseverance. In Vancouver, during the spring of 1937, Suzanne “Anne” Kerr meets Stewart “Stew” Morgan and flirtation eventually leads to love. Stew’s wife and father refuse to let him leave his unhappy marriage, so Stew moves to South Africa with Anne to live as a couple. Their daughters, Sharon and Susan, are born there. They return to Canada in 1945 only to discover that scandal still hangs over their heads. A move to the U.S proves fortuitous, and the family thrives until the 1955 bombing of United flight 629 kills Anne and Stew, leaving Sharon and Susan at the dubious mercy of their estranged extended family.
Stew and Anne’s younger daughter—whose character is based in part on the diaries of Susan Morgan, the author’s wife—provides an engaging narrative voice for this seamless crossover of memoir and historical fiction. Descriptions of Anne and Stew’s more intimate moments are tasteful, though odd to hear about from their child’s perspective. Although the Great Depression and WWII both affect the narrative, historical events mostly fade into the background of the family’s personal struggles. Social norms of the period play a stronger influence on the story. Minor discrepancies arise during the time spent in South Africa.
An overriding sense of overcoming the odds unites the romance of part one with the more tragic circumstances of part two. Clear descriptions coupled with entertaining internal dialogue and concise, expressive characterization make the pages fly by. A marvelous narrator and eventful plot make for an entertaining and moving tale that’s sure to please readers seeking inspirational narratives about hard times in history.
Takeaway: Goodman’s unconventional blend of fact and fiction will be a hit with historical readers who like stories about overcoming adversity.
Great for fans of Edward Rohs and Judith Estrine’s Raised by the Church, Lindsey Jane Ashford’s Whisper of the Moon Moth.
SF Chronicle Review, June 10, 2020: https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/books/review-husband-retells-wifes-tragic-family-story-but-novel-is-undermined-by-confused-point-of-view
. Highlights of the review include: "Tender book with memorable characters" and "thrilling and romantic can also be used to describe the arc of this book" . There's also a large author photo! Overall, the review is mixed, even a tad schoolmarmish about point-of-view. Still glad to have it.
Twelfth & Race Press
- Live reading and interview on Live from Prairie Lights on radio WSUI, Iowa City, Iowa (2012)
- Review in the The Philadelphia Inquirer (2012)
- Review in the Deseret News (2012)
- Review and interview in Cincinnati Enquirer (2012)
Cuppy & Stew Press
Book Life: June 12, 2020:
https://booklife.com/project/cuppy-and-stew-46768
Real People, Real Tragedy — A Story Told the Way it Must Have Happened — Grabs Readers in Eric Goodman’s New Can’t-Put-it-Down Novel, Cuppy and Stew... Over the years, novelist Eric Goodman’s books have been described in many ways – readable, fascinating, raw, honest. He describes his latest work a little differently -- part historical novel, part memoir, part love story. Goodman might be a little too modest when referring to Cuppy and Stew (IF SF Publishing, San Francisco), as this book also deserves such superlatives as riveting, touching, powerful. Cuppy and Stew tells the story of a real-life tragedy, the bombing of United Flight 629, the first example of American air piracy in 1955 that exploded the aircraft twelve minutes after taking off, killing everyone aboard. Knowing what is to come engages the reader totally at the very outset by going back to where and how this incredible couple met and became parents of two daughters, Sherry and Susan, who were so very young when their parents were taken from them on that ill-fated United airplane. The story, narrated by the younger daughter Susan, takes these girls from childhood into young adulthood, through all the very real as well as imagined struggles of youngsters forced to grow up too soon, too fast. Perhaps the most fascinating fact is that Susan, in real life, is married to author Eric Goodman. Cuppy and Stew were her own parents, featured in a work of fiction, yes, but in a story so eloquently told, they will no doubt join the ranks of Goodman’s most unforgettable characters.
Reviews
Creative writing professor Goodman (Twelfth and Race) merges memoir and historical fiction in this engrossing tale of love, tragedy, and perseverance. In Vancouver, during the spring of 1937, Suzanne “Anne” Kerr meets Stewart “Stew” Morgan and flirtation eventually leads to love. Stew’s wife and father refuse to let him leave his unhappy marriage, so Stew moves to South Africa with Anne to live as a couple. Their daughters, Sharon and Susan, are born there. They return to Canada in 1945 only to discover that scandal still hangs over their heads. A move to the U.S proves fortuitous, and the family thrives until the 1955 bombing of United flight 629 kills Anne and Stew, leaving Sharon and Susan at the dubious mercy of their estranged extended family.
Stew and Anne’s younger daughter—whose character is based in part on the diaries of Susan Morgan, the author’s wife—provides an engaging narrative voice for this seamless crossover of memoir and historical fiction. Descriptions of Anne and Stew’s more intimate moments are tasteful, though odd to hear about from their child’s perspective. Although the Great Depression and WWII both affect the narrative, historical events mostly fade into the background of the family’s personal struggles. Social norms of the period play a stronger influence on the story. Minor discrepancies arise during the time spent in South Africa.
An overriding sense of overcoming the odds unites the romance of part one with the more tragic circumstances of part two. Clear descriptions coupled with entertaining internal dialogue and concise, expressive characterization make the pages fly by. A marvelous narrator and eventful plot make for an entertaining and moving tale that’s sure to please readers seeking inspirational narratives about hard times in history.
Takeaway: Goodman’s unconventional blend of fact and fiction will be a hit with historical readers who like stories about overcoming adversity.
Great for fans of Edward Rohs and Judith Estrine’s Raised by the Church, Lindsey Jane Ashford’s Whisper of the Moon Moth.
SF Chronicle Review, June 10, 2020: https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/books/review-husband-retells-wifes-tragic-family-story-but-novel-is-undermined-by-confused-point-of-view
. Highlights of the review include: "Tender book with memorable characters" and "thrilling and romantic can also be used to describe the arc of this book" . There's also a large author photo! Overall, the review is mixed, even a tad schoolmarmish about point-of-view. Still glad to have it.
Twelfth & Race Press
- Live reading and interview on Live from Prairie Lights on radio WSUI, Iowa City, Iowa (2012)
- Review in the The Philadelphia Inquirer (2012)
- Review in the Deseret News (2012)
- Review and interview in Cincinnati Enquirer (2012)
Upcoming Events
Contact Eric about scheduling book tour events at goodmaek@miamioh.edu