Q&A: Richard Russo

Elise Hartman Ford talked with author Richard Russo about his home town of Camden, Maine, the setting for next month's Maine Literary Festival.

Q. What would you tell a festival-goer about how to get the most out of Camden?

A. Once you get here, fan out and see a little bit of the coast, the restaurants -- there are lots of nice restaurants in the area. And at that time of year, you can actually get into them, unlike in July and August. And there's the possibility of boat rides and nice dinners, and beautiful countryside. The coast of Maine is, of course, just unparalleled in terms of its beauty, just about any season. So there'll be a lot to do.

Q. What can you tell me about the Maine literary tradition?

A. Well, you know, given the fact that the population until fairly recently has been largely moose [laughs]. . . . You know, there's been a great literary tradition here, from Edna St. Vincent Millay to Edwin Arlington Robinson -- certainly one of my favorite American poets -- to Sarah Orne Jewett. And more recently, of course, in my generation of writers, Stephen King may turn out to be the last man standing. . . .

There's a real sense in Maine right now of a place where the arts in general are flourishing. Lots of painters, lots of photographers, singers and songwriters, film people. It's a pretty vibrant place to be.

Q. What is one of your favorite things to do in the area?

A. Well, one of the main reasons that I live here is that it's quiet. . . . I love village life. I have certain haunts in town. . . . For me, Camden is extraordinarily beautiful, but it's also a place I can do on my feet, which is very important to me. I don't want to live a life where I have to drive to and from the places that I like the most.

Q. What's your favorite day trip from Camden?

A. When [my wife and I] take a day to go somewhere in the summer, we often end up on the peninsula that contains Blue Hill and Castine and Stonington. . . . Because the coast of Maine is very busy in the summer, by the time you get a little bit farther north than Camden . . . it's a lot less busy. In July and August, it's a particularly beautiful and idyllic place, with some breathtaking scenery.

Q. What about November, when the festival's taking place?

A. You know, I think you're gonna be right in the best place there is. . . . I think there's going to be more going on right here than any place that you're likely to be in, within two hours.