Sarah James is a graduate of the MFA Writing for Screen & Television program at USC and the BA Playwriting program at Fordham Lincoln Center. She currently works as a freelance writer. She is the author of The Woman With Two Shadows and Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen. Her latest novel is Last Stop Union Station, and she recently talked about it with Daryl Maxwell for the LAPL Blog.
What was your inspiration for Last Stop Union Station?
When I was researching Hollywood during World War II for my second book, Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen, I learned about the Hollywood Victory Caravan—a real train full of stars that travelled across the country in 1942 raising money for the war effort. Having a mystery take place on board a train of stars felt like a great way to get a bunch of big personalities in close quarters.
Are Alina, Fay, Eddie, Eleanor, Fred, Garrett, Grace, Jimmy, Maria, Martha, Peter, Ralph, Willa, or any of the other characters in the novel inspired by or based on specific individuals?
Almost every member of the Victory Caravan takes some inspiration from a real-life Old Hollywood star, if not in their personalities, then in their careers and backstory. Alina's figure skating background is obviously heavily inspired by Sonja Henie. Jimmy's history as a kid star turned awkward adolescent is inspired by Mickey Rooney. The pirate movies Ralph made are inspired by those of Errol Flynn. But I took many liberties.
Same question for Jacqueline Love (because I think there may be a story here)?
There is a story here, and those who have read the book and gotten to know Jackie's character will understand why I hesitate to tell it. I will say that a lot of Jackie's career difficulties were inspired by Joan Crawford.
How did the novel evolve and change as you wrote and revised it? Are there any characters, scenes, or stories that were lost in the process that you wish had made it to the published version?
The central mystery actually changed quite a lot in the drafting process, which was new for me. Even though both versions of the mystery were inspired by true events, the first version felt too cinematic and grandiose for a book that was ultimately becoming about the small ways fascistic thinking infiltrates democracy without our knowledge. So the change was for the better, I hope.
How familiar were you with Hollywood's endeavors to support the US war effort in World War II prior to writing your novel? Did you have to do a bit of research? How long did it take you to do the necessary research and then write Last Stop Union Station?
I had done a lot of research into Hollywood's response to the war effort for my second book, so for this one I focused on researching the rise of Nazi sympathizers and spies in the United States during the 30s and 40s. I spent about a year on the research and drafting.
What was the most interesting or surprising thing that you learned during your research?
The most surprising thing was how relevant it was. One of the books I read was Under Cover by Arthur Derounian, writing as John Roy Carlson. He embedded himself in underground Nazi movements, describing how they manipulated Americans into supporting their cause by using the language of patriotism. There were passages of this book, published in 1943, that struck me like they could have been written today.
You mention in your Author's Note that you researched Nazi sympathizers and spies in the US during World War II. What did you find most interesting or surprising when you investigated that?
I answered this above, but I'll be more literal. In the copy of Under Cover, I took out from the Los Angeles Public Library, someone had defaced the table of contents with a swastika and an address to write to for the "true facts." Based on the address, it seemed like this graffiti happened in the 1960s. It was an interesting thing to find.
Your two previous novels, The Woman With Two Shadows and Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen, are also set during World War II. What is it about this time that keeps drawing you to set your stories then?
World War II was obviously such a massive, globe-spanning event that it makes it an especially interesting time to explore the questions of morality and identity that interest me anyway.
Your biography says that you currently live in Los Angeles. Do you have any favorite places? A hidden gem that someone living in another part of the city should not miss?
Creature Comforts in the Fashion District. Great beer, great atmosphere.
If/when Last Stop Union Station is adapted to a film or series, who would your dream cast be?
Aubrey Plaza as Jackie.
What's currently on your nightstand?
The 1841 book Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay. Speaking of books that are shockingly relevant today, a chapter on NFTs would be right at home in this book.
Can you name your top five favorite or most influential authors?
Tana French and Taffy Brodesser-Akner are instant must-reads for me. I cherish Sarah Waters’ books. Sarah Vowell had a huge influence both on my sense of humor and my love for history. And last but not least, Noël Coward.
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
The Lord of the Rings. I read the trilogy when I was twelve and treated it like a sacred text, re-reading my favorite parts over and over, underlining and noting my copy.
Was there a book you felt you needed to hide from your parents?
No, my parents have always been very supportive, and I'm grateful. Make sure you print that so they can't tell me I never say it.
Is there a book you've faked reading?
Probably, but only because I do hate disrupting the music of conversation.
Can you name a book you've bought for the cover?
I bought a used book at The Last Bookstore called The Search for Amelia Earhart by Fred Goerner, published in 1966. I thought it might be interesting to see what they thought happened to Amelia Earhart in 1966. I haven't read it yet, but the cover promises it has 24 pages of photographs, so that's something to look forward to.
Is there a book that changed your life?
I moved to Chicago to study improv because Tina Fey made it sound fun in Bossypants. It was!
Can you name a book for which you are an evangelist (and you think everyone should read)?
The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs.
Is there a book you would most want to read again for the first time?
No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre. I remember reading it for the first time (in the cafe of a Barnes and Noble when I was in high school) and the giddy feeling coming over me that I was reading something unlike anything I'd ever read before.
What is the last piece of art (music, movies, TV, more traditional art forms) that you've experienced or that has impacted you?
The most recent movie I’ve watched is Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme. I love Wes Anderson. I hope we get a new Wes Anderson movie every year with a cast of thirty-five people and a cameo from Tom Hanks. I will watch everyone.
What is your idea of THE perfect day (where you could go anywhere/meet with anyone)?
A hike followed by coffee and a pastry. An hour or two in a thrift store. Then a picnic and a glass of wine at the Hollywood Bowl as the Los Angeles Philharmonic plays. And I guess maybe Sir Patrick Stewart is there.
What is the question that you're always hoping you'll be asked, but never have been?
"I'm a wealthy, handsome widower with dark eyes and a closed-off heart. Would you like to accompany me to Paris on an all-expenses-paid vacation?"
What is your answer?
"I'll have to check my calendar."
What are you working on now?
Trapping the feral cat outside my apartment to get her fixed before she has kittens again. Maybe another book after that.
