Feedback, Comments, Love Letters: 1999Subject: Re: Conference call re program and particulars for the June 25-27 James Jones Conference at Southampton College on Long Island Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1999 06:22:48 -0500 From: elliotra@cmi.k12.il.us >Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 21:27:22 -0500 (EST) >A couple hot items for the newsletter ... since TRL premieres >nationwide on January 15th ... > >1. The best Unofficial Web Site on the film: > Raging Bull's The Thin Red Line Unofficial Page > (http://members.xoom.com/thinredline/index.html) > This comprehensive site provides links to reviews > from critics across the country, articles on Terrence > Malick, the cast and the production, as well as stills > from the film. There's even a link to TNT's Rough Cut > site with pictures and interviews from the premiere. > >2. Sidebar for Tony's review: > Here's what other critics are saying about the movie, > the novel and its author, James Jones: > > Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle > " Inevitably, moviegoers will split into ``Saving Private > Ryan'' and ``Thin Red Line'' camps. I'd like to get my vote in > now for the latter." > >To be continued ... just crashed on the Web ... but you get the idea. >Save some room if it's not too late. > >Thanks, > >Kevin Subject:
Re: Conference call re program and particulars for the June 25-27 James Jones Conference at Southampton College on
Long Island >Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 22:22:33 -0500 (EST) >Here's a hyperlink from the Raging Bull website worth citing: > >"Guadalcanal Online" > >Excerpts from "But You Don't Look Like a Minister" by > Chaplain Gary Bousman, attached to the 25th Division, USA. > >"The next three days were days of action. [Footnote: James Jones, in his >novel, THE THIN RED LINE, describes this battle very much the way I >remember it. Lt. Burns appears in th novel as Lt. Brand. Capt. Davis and >Lt. Sims appear in the >novel as Capt. Gaff and Lt. Gray.] My notebook contains many of the >details. Here are a few: "Our medics were kept busy all day ... Captain >Davis, with the aid of four men from "G" Company, wiped our a strongly >fortified enemy position ... > >By the end of three days of fighting, the Galloping Horse was in our hands, >but twenty-seven of our men were buried on its slopes. > >To add vexation to these emotional wounds, I was later ordered to supervise >the disinterment,transportation, and reburial of the bodies in the large >island cemetery near Henderson Field. I did not want the job and when I >asked why a graves registration officer from the Quartermaster Corps was >not doing it,the answer came back, "You buried them and you are the only >one who knows where the graves are." > >The operation was so gruesome I asked that a different detail accompany me >each day. I did not think it wise to ask a man to go out on such depressing >work more than once. Often, upon opening the grave, the putrid odors forced >the diggers to step aside and vomit. Several times, I had to grab a >trenching tool and help roll what was left of the body onto one of the >pieces of canvas we had brought along. [Footnote: For a detailed >description of this assignment, see James Jones, WW II, p. 124. the author, >at that time, Corporal Jones, was sent ount on one of these details on >Guadalcanal. He tell it as it was--"A pretty awful scene."] > >(Ray, maybe we should get in touch with these guys and invite them > to attend the conference, consider joining the society, maybe setting > up a link to our JJLS website, providing content etc.) > Subject: 1999 Symposium Can you give me the date of the 1999 James Jones Literary Society symposium? Thank you, V1950phel@aol.com Subject: Jones site Hi!
I discovered your outstanding site while researching my review of the
film version of The Thin Red Line.
http://www.wpcmath.com/films/thinredline/thinredline.html
I thought the book was one of the great American novels, but found the
movie extremely disappointing. (An anecdote. The second time I saw the
movie, there was a man in front of me who evidently also loved the book
and hated the movie and was loudly sharing his opinion with a friend.
When the got to the end of the credits, the part about no animals being
harmed, he said, "To hell with the animals: what about my pain?")
I have placed a link to your site at the end of my review and would
appreciate it if you were moved to reciprocate.
Keep up the good work!
Bill Coleman
Subject: James Jones Continuing Characters Hi:
I have always admired the literature of James Jones. I recall
hearing once that his characters reappear with different names in his
trilogy (Eternity, Red Line, Whistle). For example, Warden becomes
Welsh becomes Winch. Prew, killed in From Here to Eternity, is
resurrected in the Thin Red Line as Prell. Is there any substance to
this? If so, could you provide a little detail?
Thanks for putting Jones on the Web.
Tom Chance Subject: Re: James Jones Continuing Characters Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 20:11:35 -0500 From: Tom Chance I received a reply from Mr. Michael Mullen which filled in the details.
Thank you again so very much for your help. I see you are the Internet
voice of the James Jones Society. Perhaps you could send me some detail
about your organization.
I am originally from Richmond, Indiana. I'll never forget reading
Prewitt's recollection of jail time in my old hometown. I was hooked --
still am. What a great writer he was.
Thanks again,
Tom Chance
"Richard L. King" wrote:
> Yes, Tom, this has been acknowledged by scholars. You are right on
> target. I've read this somewhere but can't remember where, and I know
> I've heard it discussed at the annual Jones's symposiums. I'll ask a
> Jones scholar friend of mine if he remembers something about sources.
>
> Best wishes, and thanks for your comments, Subject:
Whistle, where to find it? Dear Sir or madam,
Would like to purchase a copy of Jones' last book, "Whistle," and would
appreciate any feedback/guidance in that regard.
Condition of no importance, only wish to read the words.
Very interesting site you've built, I might add!
Thanks for your time,
Mike Kelley Subject:
Origin of Red Line Dear Mr King,
My name is Keith Mullins and I am writing from Australia. Here, there
has been much interest and debate about Terence Malick's film of James
Jones's "The Thin Red Line". One point, however, and one which I believe
is vital to understanding the Jones/Malick stories, is to do with the
derivation of the title of both the film and the book. I have read, for
instance, in a number of websites and publications, that "Malick has
inherited his title from Jones, who in turn inherited it from and old
Midwestern saying `There's only a thin red line between the sane and the
mad'" (Film Comment magazine). And, further, these comments are
epigraphed in the novel. However, I feel that there is definitely more
to this. First, "the thin red line" and "from here to eternity" are both
comments from Kipling. And in the Kipling poem citing the latter he
refers to a "thin red line of 'eroes" which, given Kipling's background
as a supporter of British imperialism in the 19th century, sounds very
much like a direct reference to the Battle of Balaklava in the Crimean
War in 1854. The event concerned the gallant and exceptionally
disciplined defence of the road to the allied (British, French, and
Turkish) base of Balaklava on the Black Sea in which a line of Highland
infantry (93rd Argyll and Sutherland Regiment) comprising only 500 men
resisted and defeated a Russian Heavy cavalry charge of 3000. The phrase
derives from the words of a "Times" war correspondent W H Russell who
witnessed the attack from the surrounding hills and who telegraphed
London that the only thing between the Russians and the fate of the base
at Balaklava was "a thin line of red tipped with steel". This was almost
immediately paraphrased by the press as the phrase we know today "the
thin red line" and which has come to symbolise discipline and courage.
My question to you and to any one else who might be able to help is
this: Is there any hard evidence to suggest that Jones had Balaklava in
mind when he titled his novel? The midwestern saying, I suspect, is not
the intellectual or historical source of the book (and the film). I
would deeply appreciate it if anyone can help with this small but
important detail. To my knowledge this issue has been overlooked
critically.
Yours sincerely,
Keith Mullins
email: keith.mullins@celts.monash.edu.au Subject: Asking for interview from Mexico. To Juanita Martin (The JJ Literary Society):
I'm a reporter of a daily newspaper in Mexico City in wich I write about
movies in the entertainment and culture sections.
Because in Mexico the film THE THIN RED LINE by James Jones is going to
open next march 5, I'm reading the book and preparing a big article about
the text and the movie.
I will like to make an interview with one specialist of the JJ LITERARY
SOCIETY, by phone or by E-Mail.
Please answer me and tell me if this is possible and when can it happen.
I'm living town this Saturday to Monday to travel to New York. I don't know
if you have an office there.
Thank you in advance,
Mario P. Székely Pd.- I catch your E-Mail address in your Internet's page.
Subject: Origin of Red Line Dear Mr King,
My name is Keith Mullins and I am writing from Australia. Here, there
has been much interest and debate about Terence Malick's film of James
Jones's "The Thin Red Line". One point, however, and one which I believe
is vital to understanding the Jones/Malick stories, is to do with the
derivation of the title of both the film and the book. I have read, for
instance, in a number of websites and publications, that "Malick has
inherited his title from Jones, who in turn inherited it from and old
Midwestern saying `There's only a thin red line between the sane and the
mad'" (Film Comment magazine). And, further, these comments are
epigraphed in the novel. However, I feel that there is definitely more
to this. First, "the thin red line" and "from here to eternity" are both
comments from Kipling. And in the Kipling poem citing the latter he
refers to a "thin red line of 'eroes" which, given Kipling's background
as a supporter of British imperialism in the 19th century, sounds very
much like a direct reference to the Battle of Balaklava in the Crimean
War in 1854. The event concerned the gallant and exceptionally
disciplined defence of the road to the allied (British, French, and
Turkish) base of Balaklava on the Black Sea in which a line of Highland
infantry (93rd Argyll and Sutherland Regiment) comprising only 500 men
resisted and defeated a Russian Heavy cavalry charge of 3000. The phrase
derives from the words of a "Times" war correspondent W H Russell who
witnessed the attack from the surrounding hills and who telegraphed
London that the only thing between the Russians and the fate of the base
at Balaklava was "a thin line of red tipped with steel". This was almost
immediately paraphrased by the press as the phrase we know today "the
thin red line" and which has come to symbolise discipline and courage.
My question to you and to any one else who might be able to help is
this: Is there any hard evidence to suggest that Jones had Balaklava in
mind when he titled his novel? The midwestern saying, I suspect, is not
the intellectual or historical source of the book (and the film). I
would deeply appreciate it if anyone can help with this small but
important detail. To my knowledge this issue has been overlooked
critically.
Yours sincerely,
Keith Mullins
email: keith.mullins@celts.monash.edu.au Subject: who produced From Here to Eternity Could you please tell me:
Who produced from Here to Eternity?
Is there a website for this movie?
Thank you
Nathan Riley
Dear Richard,
Here is some more information for those Jones enthusiasts who are
curious about the origin of the title of "The Thin Red Line". First,
however, I must apologise for a mistake in my earlier communication. The
correct quotation from the Times war correspondent W H Russell who
witnessed the Balaklava incident was that the only thing between the
Russian cavalry and the British supply base was a "thin red streak
tipped with a line of steel". I was quoting from memory when I last
emailed. Fascinating information about the 93rd Highland regiment can be
found at http://www.aboutscotland.co.uk/argylls/93bala.html and at "Clan
Sutherland on the Internet" at
http://www.intrepid.net/~crossbow/s93rd.htm. This last includes the
following which is unfortunately unsourced but which may be the official
regimental poem:
Ye can talk about your Gordons Best wishes,
Keith Mullins Subject: Books by James Jones Congratulations on your wonderful Web Page.
My husband is a great fan of James Jones and had a collection of some of
his novels. When we moved house these were misplaced and I am trying to
replace them for him. The only ones I have been able to locate are From
Here to Eternity and The Thin Red Line. I was hoping that you may know
some place that stocks James Jones novels.As most of them are currently out
of print, it is almost an impossible task to locate them in Australia.
I hope you can shed some light on my search.
Amanda Waller Subject:
biography of Jones Does anybody know of a good biographical site for material on Jones? I'm
specifically looking for information on his wife, Gloria Mosolino Jones,
who
is from Pottsville, PA.
Subject: Query from Roger Ebert Hello! I write a column called "The Movie Answer Man," and a reader
asks me for the meaning of the title "The Thin Red Line." What does it
refer to?
If you can reply, please also supply your name, title and town, and I
will mention the James Jones Literary Society.
Thanks!
Roger Ebert
can reply to this address, or, preferably (I am not at my home computer
right now) to
rebert@compuserve.com
Subject: RE: Regarding James Jones Dear Mr. King,
Thanks for your note. The problem you have noticed stems from the search
engine used on the Britannica Internet Guide. We recently licensed a new
search engine and have been extremely disappointed with the suboptimal
results. Our tech team is in the process of investigating ways of improving
the search engine or replacing it. We hope to implement an improved version
or a completely new search engine between July and September.
Best regards,
Afrodite Mantzavrakos -----Original Message----- Dear Editor:
I am the Web Manager for The James Jones Literary Society
at
http://rking.vinu.edu/j.htm and I want to comment on your
Internet Links
to the "Jones, James" article in Encyclopaedia Britannica
Online. It is
a fine article, but when you click on Internet Links the
search pulls up
numerous sites that have nothing to do with Jones. Our site
is the main
(perhaps only) site on the Web for Jones, and would be
appropriate as an
Internet Link. If the Internet Link could search for the
phrase "James
Jones Literary Society" in quotes it would probably take
care of the
matter, or at least narrow it down to a relevant number of
results.
I tell my students that a major reason they should use your
reference
tool is because you list *quality* web sites that separate
the wheat
from the chaff. One or two *quality* web sites are better
than 100
irrelevant ones, and using Encyclopaedia Britannica Online
is a major
step toward helping researchers retrieve important Web
material.
I realize it may not be possible to achieve a different
type
of search
under Internet Links, but I wanted to bring this to your
attention.
Thank you.
Richard L. King
Reference Librarian Subject:
Newsletter/Paul Clayton Hello, I was just reading one of the articles entitled Getting to Know
James Jones, and I found an oversight...Paul Clayton, mentions reading
Eternity and that one of his favorite scenes was Prewitt setting up the 50
cal. machine gun on the roof of the barracks to battle Zeros...well yes
indeed that scene is powerful, but Prewitt was asleep during the whole
Pearl
Harbor attack, AWOL, after killing Fatso Judson. I'm sure Mr. Clayton made
a
simple oversight. I just thought you would like to know.
James Cicman
Subject:
Email correction Richard,
My note to James Cicman FYI.
Ray
>Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 09:13:48 -0500 > Dear James Cicman:
>
>Richard King, who maintains our web site for the James Jones Literary
>Society, forwarded me your message. Thanks for pointing out the oversight
>in Paul Clayton's article that appeared in a recent JJLS newsletter. I'm
>the current president of the society and one of the newsletter editors.
>Unfortunately, we missed the reference to Prewitt setting up the 50 cal.
>on the barracks roof.
>
>We'll run the correction in the next newsletter. Richard will make the
>correction on the web site and run your note about the error. I regret it
>and hope to watch for those errors more closely in the future.
>
>One another note, do you have any comments or recollections about James
>Jones and his work that we maight run in the next newsletter and on the
>web site? I'm always looking for those kinds of pieces. If you have,
>please send them to me by e-mail and tell me a little about yourself. And
>are you a member of the JJLS? If not, I invite you to join. We're
>considering holding the next Jones symposium in Paris at the American
>University there and visiting Jones' haunts while he lived there in the
>'60s and '70s. Hope toi hear from you.
>
>Best regards,
>
>Ray Elliott
>
Ray Elliott 217 337-6510 Subject:
Re: Clayon/Newsletter Richard, I visit the JJLS site quite often, and I'm glad that I was able to
be of service. I believe if memory serves, it was Pete Karelsen who set up
the machine gun over a barrack chimney during the Pearl Harbor attack.
Subject:
Re: Prewitt in JJLS Dear Richard,
I'll have to go back to Eternity and read that again. Some Point OF View
character goes up on the roof and sets up the 50 cal. Anyway, I'm sure
he's
right. It's been about twenty years since I read Eternity.. One of the
amazing things about powerful fiction is that you are still moved by the
story years later, still remember the mood, what you were doing when you
read
it, your mood when you read it, but you may get some of the details wrong.
I
still remember the feeling I got from reading a young adult novel titled,
The
Red Dory, when I was about fourteen. I remember almost nothing about
except
that it was about a kid spending his summer in a New England seaside
village.
I smell the lobster and crab traps, hear the gulls, get blisters as he
rows
the dory out past the breakers, but damn if I remember the plot or anything
else. Well, and so it goes. Thanks for all your efforts on behalf of
"Where
The Shadows Run From Themselves." And thanks in advance for posting my
piece on the symposium.
Paul
Subject:
on the roof Richard,
Yeah, he's right. I went to my copy of From Here To Eternity. It was Milt
Warden and a bunch of guys from companies F and G that went up onto the
barracks roof. And they were all armed with "BARs, rifles, pistols, and
here
and there a single MG." Hell, they may not even have had fifty caliber
machine guns during WW II, for all I know. But we did have them in Nam,
and
I obviously got things mixed up. One fella on the barracks is described as
having a water-cooled .30 caliber MC, with no tripod. This is the scene
in
which Warden accidentally shoots down an American fighter plane.
Well, I'll be in touch.
Bye,
Paul
Subject:
Question Hi Richard, James Cicman again. This time I have a question that you may be
able to answer. An excellent war novel entitled "Never so Few" was
published
in 1957 by Tom T. Chamales. I would like some more information on this
author, but so far have found nothing. Aparently Mr. Chamales was a friend
of
James Jones and was inspired to write his novel after reading "From Here To
Enternity", as indicated in his acknowlegements. Chamales was a 2nd Lt in
the
American Kachin Rangers in Burma. Perhaps you have something in your
archives?
Thanks-Jim
Subject:
Thanks Hi Richard, I contacted Thomas Wood and he was able to give me the info I
wanted on Tom Chamales...thanks for directing me to him...Jim Cicman
Subject:
The National D-Day Museum Dear Sir or Madam:
I discovered the James Jones Literary Society website and found it quite
informative.
I am the Assistant for Development at The National D-Day Museum, currently
being built in New Orleans, and scheduled to open on June 6, 2000. This
Museum will be of exquisite caliber, approximately 70,000 square feet, and
located in the city that not only our founder, author Stephen Ambrose,
calls
home, but also the "home of the Higgins boat".
It is the Mission of The National D-Day Museum to both honor those who
fought in the war, and educate future generations about the most climactic
amphibious invasions known to America.
As we are progressing with the construction of our Pacific Wing, the
portion
of the Museum dedicated to the invasions at Guadalcanal, I would like to
get in contact with those members of Jones' family, who I'm sure would be
interested to hear of the Museum.
If an address or email address is available for Gloria Jones or her
daughter, I would be most appreciative.
Subject: D-Day Museum request - Good one! Richard,
I understand that the D-Day Museum folks in New Orleans contacted you! I
have your site and theirs highlighted on my website.
It would be a wonderful way of building recognition for the society and the
Jones history if some relationship could develop.
James Bradley (see www.iwojima.com) has already been down to visit with
Stephen Ambrose and talk about the Pacific Representation. Ambrose's next
works will probably deal with the Pacific.
Best to all, I am a "Canadian" who loves James Jones and his style of writing!! I am
trying to get a hold of his "older" books from the 1950',60,'s !! I am
readin' The Thin Red Line,and I just bought Whistle-1978.
I want to read more about him and your website has done "wonders" about
him,..and me(I am getting to know him) I wish to god I'd met him in real
life,..however he died a young "soldier" in my books,and I hope that
God has made him,... a "soldier" of God- to watch over soldiers in
War&Peace!!
His writing has certinly made a Huge impression on me!!
keep up the site and excellent work!!
Sincerely Subject:
membership I would like to be a member of the James Jones
literary society> what do I have to do. I believe it was one of the great
books of WWII. I was stationed at Pearl Harbor during the attack and later
in the war I was stationed just north of Schofield Brks and we used to go
over and watrch the fights. I happened to be up at Schofield when they
filmed the movie and many of the Japanese planes were flown by fellows that
I worked in the FAA.
James E. Sinnott
Subject:
Your inquiry forwarded Dear Mr. Sinnott:
Thank you for your recent inquiry about becoming a member of the James
Jones Literary Society and your service in Hawaii at the time of the attack
on Pearl Harbor. We'd be honored to have you as a member of the Society.
Annual individual membership is $15; $50 for a 4-year membership; $25
annually for a couple; and $250 for life per individual. You may send your
check, payable to the James Jones Literary Society, and mail it to the
Society at P.O. Box 68, Robinson, IL, 62454.
For more information, please check out The James Jones Literary Society Web
Site at rking.vinu.edu/j.htm . Members receive the newsletter four times a
year and have at least one James Jones symposium a year to celebrate and
study his work. A movement is underway at this time to have a commemorative
stamp issued for the novelist that would recall the service of millions of
servicemen in World War II. The Soceity also awards the James Jones First
Novel Fellowship each year to promising young writers of fiction.
Contributions to the Society's fund that support these awards and other
functions are tax-deductible.
I hope soon to hear from you about your membership.
But I'm also interested in hearing about your experiences and thoughts
about what you saw during the attack on Pearl Harbor and afterwards. I'm
sure Soceity members would find what you have to share of great interest.
I'd like to talk with you about the possibility of you sharing some of
those experiences with our readers who would undoubtedly agree with you
assessemnt that "From Here To Eternity" was "one of the great books WW II."
Thanks and best regards,
Ray Elliott Subject:
SOME CAME RUNNING Dear Sir,
I'm new to James Jones and have just bought a second hand copy of SOME
CAME RUNNING. To my dismay, I found it was an abridged version, released
after his death. What is the difference between this and the unabridged
version and is it worth reading it, or should I seek out the original?
Thanking you in advance for your help,
Sean Egan
Hi Sean:
The abridged version is a drastic melt down of the unabridged novel. I
have been told by several different people that James Jones did not like
the abridged version. I encourage you to tackle the unabridged novel.
You might want to contact a Society Board Member, Dwight Connelly, who
is a book collector. He, I am sure, could locate you a copy of the
unabridged novel.
bookdc@ccipost.net
Best wishes,
Jerry Bayne
Subject:
Footnote: Special Abridged Edition Sean:
I have copies of the abridged version that was released and copyrighted
in 1958. There were several subsequent printings of the abridged
version. Jones died in 1977.
JLB
Subject:
The Thin Red Line Grows Thinner. Dear Mr. King,
I was just banging around in MS Encarta encyclopedia for the first time
and,
lacking any predetermined destination, typed in "James Jones."
That was two hours ago. !
Fifty years ago Jim and Lowney and their Spartan trailer were my next door
neighbors in Leany's Trailer court on Summer Avenue in Memphis, TN.
Jim had a crazy routine. He arose, made a pot of "hobo" coffee, sat down at
the typewriter and stayed there until noon. Sometimes a chapter,
occasionally only a few lines emerged.
Each week he made 7 1lb. Jars of beef stew, 7 1lb jars of jello. Each day
of the week he consumed one of each for his noon meal.
I was a G.I. student, in school until I:00 pm. After school we'd pool our
resources and split a bottle of beer or go out to the golf course and
practice yoga. At 4 o-clock we returned to the trailer park, mixed a large
pitcher of martinis, made a large salad, and Jim would read the product of
his days efforts to Lowney and me while the martinis disappeared.
I took him to the airport for his trip to NY to pick up the check for the
first eight chapters. When the book was published the picture on the dust
cover bore my credit line, as did the pictures in Life, Time, Saturday
Review, and Editor and Publisher. Although the name is actually spelled
with
two "T's no editor was ever prone to accept that fact so the credits are in
the name of Pat Meará .
By the time it hit the book stores I was the staff photographer for the
Santa Fe New Mexican. Jim and a gentleman from Scribner's drove out to
Santa Fe, spent a few days with me and presented me with a copy of the
presentation edition with the inscription, "Patt, Memories of Memphis,
Shades of Santa Fe, Jim" on the fly leaf.
The last time I talked to him he said, "you crazy son of a bitch, wherever
you go, or I go, whatever I write, look for yourself. You'll be in there
someplace."
I retired from the Department of Communications Arts at the University of
Wisconsin at the age of 42, moved to the Caribbean, worked for the St.
Thomas Daily News for about six months, taught SCUBA for a year and a half
on shore, obtained my captain's papers and ended twenty three years in the
islands as Captain of the 63 foot schooner Victorius. We took divers, and
others, for one week or longer charters through the Caribbean.
Jim became the renowned writer, I lived out his dreams.
At 76 and living in Florida, I heard that Gloria is still alive and living
in the Miami area. Could this be true?
I'm looking for nothing, just thought someone besides me, might find all of
this a bit interesting.
Captain Patt Meará
P.S I was in Memphis this winter, Leahy's is still there.
Subject:
The Merry Month of May Hi there - I was wondering if you knew of any synopis of The Merry Month of
May. I was apparently named after one of the characters in the book
"McKenna" and I have been looking for some informaiton on the book and
character. I am currently searching for a used copy through Amazon.
Thanks,
McKenna LaVoie
Subject:
"McKenna" Dear Ms. LaVoie,
There is no synopsis that I know of for "The Merry Month of May," however,
I can tell you where the name comes from and who the character is. McKenna
is the eight-year-old daughter of the Gallaghers in the novel. The novel is
told in the first person by the Gallaghers' close friend, Jack, who is a
divorced magazine editor living in Paris. TThe G's are based on a very rich
couple my parents knew who lived down the street. They had no daughter, but
my father felt that the dissolution of their marriage had a much stronger
impact in the novel if they had a child who is left pretty much orphaned at
the end. "McKenna" is an old Scottish family name, I believe, which runs in
the Gallagher family. That is how they named the daughter. The backdrop of
the novel is the May 1968 riots that almost brought down the French
government.
The child, McKenna, was based on me.
Yours,
Kaylie Jones
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