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June 15, 2005
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| Author Michael Cunningham has a new book, "Specimen Days," following up on his huge bestseller, "The Hours." (MPR Photo/Jeff Jones) |
St. Paul, Minn. — Author Michael Cunningham is following up his huge bestseller, "The Hours," with a new novel called "Specimen Days."
In some ways the two books are quite similar. In "The Hours," Cunningham improvised on Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf's masterpiece. In "Specimen Days," Cunningham turns to poet Walt Whitman as an overarching element.
Both books also tell the stories of three characters in different times and places. In "Specimen Days," Cunningham sets all three stories in New York City.
"The Hours" was a surprising success, and it put Cunningham's work in the spotlight like never before. "The Hours" won the Pulitzer Prize, and inspired the 2002 film of the same name. The movie garnered nine Academy Award nominations.
Michael Cunningham told MPR's Tom Crann he truly enjoyed the big-screen version of his book, "The Hours," despite the fact that the movie couldn't possibly contain all the details of the novel.
To listen to their interview, choose the audio link in the right column.
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