Nationally acclaimed author Jennifer Egan, a 1985 College graduate, signed copies of her newest book Look At Me on Thursday night at the Penn Bookstore.
In front of a packed second-floor music section, Egan read the second chapter of her novel -- the story of Charlotte, an aging model recovering from a recent accident and multiple face-lifts.
Egan's book also broaches terrorism, and that element sparked the author to write an article for Slate online magazine.
In the article, Egan compares one of her characters, a terrorist, to today's real-life agents of terror.
Egan said that she was shocked to watch the World Trade Center collapse on television, but unlike most Americans, she already had a clear idea of what terrorism is about.
Research for her character "Z" led Egan to discover some characteristics attributed to terrorists. She said she consequently was not fazed to discover that terrorists live among us, leading normal lives.
Egan focused more on her new book, however.
Her other books, including The Invisible Circus, have characters like Charlotte, who is desperately trying to make some sense of the world while searching for her own identity.
Charlotte's view on life is tainted, with beauty being "the best disguise of all" and relationships being emotionless and empty. Egan presents her creation of "shadow faces," expressions we continuously use that eventually make a mark on our face.
As well as soul-searching, Egan's characters also indulge in controversial topics such as self- mutilation, gays in the military, obsession, dislocation and lost identity.
When asked how her writing of Look At Me would have differed had she known about the terrorists attacks prior to its release, Egan said, "All my imaginations had come closer than I imagined," adding, "I probably wouldn't have included the terrorist. I was just trying to make something up."
Egan does put considerable time and effort into her books. Look At Me took Egan two and a half years to complete, while she searched for "a voice to encompass all the voices." She focused on "how we look isn't always on the same time line of who we are" and strove to arrive at a clear idea of the characteristics her characters should encompass.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
