I wrote this introduction for the Junior Library Guild:
After I wrote Empress of the World, I knew that Battle Hall Davies needed her own voice. In Empress, we only see her through her girlfriend’s eyes – beautiful, compelling, ultimately inexplicable. But of course, that’s not how Battle sees herself.
I also knew that Battle’s brother meant a lot to her. I wanted to see how he compared to the vision of him she built up in his absence from her life.
I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and I was always fascinated by college students. I’d go to old movies on campus sponsored by the Student Film Society, and watch the audience as much as the screen. I eavesdropped on their conversations, I read their buttons and T-shirt slogans, and I tried to project myself forward in time.
At fourteen, I got my wish. I started hanging out with college students, and with people who were even older. Working for a summer theater festival gave me a multigenerational peer group. When I started writing The Rules for Hearts, I remembered how I felt then, like what I was really auditioning for was the role of myself, grown up.
Battle Hall Davies, 18-year-old high school graduate, accepted to Reed College Meryl Davenport, swimming instructor, 22, resident of Forest House Aurora Kneedler, 46, owner of Forest House and artistic director of Theater Borealis. Nicholas Davies Battle’s older brother, 22, a cab driver, resident of Forest House. Robert Cracknell, 50, resident of Forest House, set designer and builder, Aurora’s partner Charles Fahey, 27, gardener, bike messenger, designer, resident of Forest House Henry O’Brian, 55, donor to and actor in Theater Borealis Damian J. Wolff, 28, actor in Theater Borealis Annalisa Tannahill, 34, actor in Theater Borealis The Minions, Assorted genders, ages, Robert’s helpers in the Theater Borealis scene shop Lucky, 3, a dog
CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)