American novelist Ann Patchett reflects on Frank, Mike and Darrell, the men who made her, going a year without shopping and her power to make herself invisible (R)

Ann Patchett is an acclaimed American novelist and the owner of an independent bookstore in Nashville.

Ann has had three fathers — Frank, Mike and Darrell, who have each provided her with material or motivation for her writing.

In 1974 Frank signed up for a subscription to the “100 Greatest Books of All Time” from the Franklin Library, every page complete with gilded edges, and a sewn-in satin-ribbon bookmark.

Once all three fathers had died, Ann could finally see what they had given her throughout her life — strength, adoration and acceptance.

In her new book, Ann weaves the stories of her fathers into a book of essays about going a year without shopping and becoming dear friends with Tom Hanks’ assistant.

Further information

These Precious Days is published by Bloomsbury.

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This episode of Conversations explores fatherhood, fathers and daughters, male role models, writing, Tennessee, growing up, origin stories, personal stories, parenting, life story, family dynamics, America, United States, grief, death, loss of a parent, writing, books, bookstores.