Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Stephanie Kegan's "Golden State"

Stephanie Kegan is the author of Golden State, recently named by People Magazine as one of “The Best New Books” and Entertainment Weekly as one of “The Top 10 Things We Love This Week.”

Kegan's thoughts on her book as a movie:
Because a girl can dream, here is who I’d like to cast in the film of my novel Golden State:

The protagonist and narrator of my novel is Natalie Askedalh, a 48-year old wife, mother and third teacher. A tall red-head, Natalie leads an ordinary suburban life until she turns on the news one night and sees her brother arrested by the FBI for being a terrorist mastermind. Okay, this role is easy is to cast—my actress is redheaded, the right age and just won the academy award. In my dream, Julianne Moore plays Natalie.

Natalie’s husband Eric is an attorney and former college football player. He’s a quiet, steady man who doesn’t want his wife involved in trying to help her brother. I’m going to give the part to Alec Baldwin for his shot at the Oscar.

When she was young, Natalie adored her gentle, brilliant older brother. But Bobby changed when he grew up, withdrawing into himself, and eventually disappearing from her life. When he returns to her life, it is as a man accused of a string of terrorist bombings. The part would have to be played by an actor who can be convincing as someone who is brilliant, both kind and lethal, rational seeming and insane. I think Edward Norton would be perfect.

Natalie’s mother graduated first in her class from Berkeley. She is a committed idealist, slender and well-dressed, aloof, proud, and when it comes to her son, delusional. I would love to see Jane Fonda in the part.

Natalie’s describes her caustic older sister, Sara, as “an aging hippie on her plot of land miles from anywhere, rewashing her plastic baggies.” The two, who don’t much like each other, are thrown together in an effort to save their brother’s life. The part goes to (drum roll) Frances McDormand.
Visit Stephanie Kegan's website.

The Page 69 Test: Golden State.

--Marshal Zeringue