Author Biography | Interview | Books by this Author | Readalikes
How to pronounce Libba Bray: First syllable rhymes with rib. Libba is a nickname for Elizabeth. Her full name is Martha Elizabeth Bray
Libba Bray is an author of young adult novels, including A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing and Going Bovine.
Her first novel, A Great and Terrible Beauty, was a New York Times bestseller. In November 2006, a video promoting the book was a part of The Book Standard's Teen Book Video Awards.
Libba Bray lives in New York City with her husband and son.
About This Biography
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A Conversation with Libba Bray about A Great and Terrible Beauty
Q: From the beginning, you envisioned Gemma as a heroine who kicks butt and
takes names–all in a corset and crinoline. What changed about the character
after you began writing the book? What stayed the same?
A: It's hard to believe, but I actually envisioned Gemma and the book as
being much lighter and funnier. Yeah, right, because dealing with supernatural
visions, secret societies, and lots of not-quite-dead people is always a real
laugh riot, right? Okey-dokey. Moving on . . . I did always see Gemma as
sardonic, a social commentator in the vein of a Jane Austen character, and I
think that stayed the same. But as often happens in the course of the writing,
the character took over, and I discovered that Gemma was much more vulnerable
and conflicted and infuriating and all those yummy things that make people into
people. And for that, I am glad.
Q: Gemma is accepted into the most powerful and mean-spirited clique at
Spence only because of blackmail–she keeps a secret that could destroy
Felicity's future. But as her friendships with Felicity, Pippa, and Ann develop,
she begins to love and trust them. And she is offered, in...
Ann Brashares grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland with her three brothers and attended a Quaker school in the DC area called Sidwell Friends. She studied Philosophy at Barnard College, part of Columbia University in New ... (more)
If you enjoyed:
Rebel Angels
Try:
Forever in Blue
by Ann Brashares
Siobhan Dowd (pronouced Sh-vawn) was named one of the "top 100 Irish-Americans" for her global anti-censorship work with the writers' organization PEN America. Dowd also co-founded the English PEN's readers and writers ... (more)
If you enjoyed:
A Great and Terrible Beauty
Try:
Solace of the Road
by Siobhan Dowd
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