Welcome to this special interview with the talented author David Ebenbach. Today, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to discuss his newest novel, Possible Happiness, and explore the themes woven throughout his writing. As we chat, we’ll dive into David's insights on creativity, the complexities of happiness, and how personal experiences and philosophical inquiries shape his stories.
David is no stranger to the literary world, having published a remarkable ten books that span poetry and fiction. He brings a unique perspective to his writing, often blending his life experiences with broader social themes, making his work both relatable and profound. In our conversation, we'll reflect on his journey as a writer, his experiences as a parent, and the inspiration behind the characters and settings in Possible Happiness.
Tony Huang: Hi David!
David Ebenbach: Tony, it's so good to see you.
Tony Huang: How are you doing?
David Ebenbach: It's been a long time, and you're up early on a Sunday morning just to talk. It's lovely.
Tony Huang: Yeah, it's great. The thing is that this is actually a working day for me before the Chinese New Year. So we have this interview in two locations: one is in my home office, and the other is in the office. We're now relocating from Tianjin to Xiamen and Hong Kong.
David Ebenbach: Yeah, that's what you told me.
Tony Huang: So how's everything?
David Ebenbach: Oh, great. I should tell you I'm a little bit sick today, so my voice may be a little off, but it's just a cold.
Tony Huang: I'm sorry to hear that.
David Ebenbach: No, but I'm very happy to talk. Things are good on this end. Our boy is in college now, and he's doing well and enjoying it. We miss him very much.
Tony Huang: Wow! That’s impressive. Which university does he go to?
David Ebenbach: Do you know Brandeis University?
Tony Huang: Yes, that is a good one.
David Ebenbach: Yeah, it seems like it's a great fit for him. He’s enjoying his classes and doing extracurricular activities; he's making friends, all of those good things.
Tony Huang: That’s quite impressive. My son is also here and insists that he is going to join us.
David Ebenbach: Hey? I’ve heard so much about him.
Tony Huang: He also brings with him a lot of his friends, insect friends—mantises.
David Ebenbach: Oh, nice! I’m glad you were going to be up anyway because I know Sunday might be a day to sleep in.
Tony Huang: It's a special day today because it’s Chinese New Year's Eve. For a lot of people, this is a working day. They need to go to the office, and then after that, they’re going to have about a week off.
David Ebenbach: I hope you have a great New Year. It’s such an exciting holiday, full of joy, opportunity, and prosperity. Wishing all of that for you.
Tony Huang: Thank you! I haven't been home for the Chinese New Year for about 20 years, and this will be the first time in 20 years for me to stay at home in my hometown.
David Ebenbach: That’s going to be special.
Tony Huang: Yes, very special. During this interview, a couple of people may join us in the middle.
David Ebenbach: Sure, everybody's welcome.
Tony Huang: I was checking out the new books you've published, and I found your novel Possible Happiness. I was quite impressed because I remember you just published a collection of poetry not too long ago.
David Ebenbach: I've been really fortunate that the publications have come year after year, although it takes a while for them to show up in print.
Tony Huang: So, it’s quite amazing to find that this is a full-length novel.
David Ebenbach: And it's my 10th book.
Tony Huang: That’s great! Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind Possible Happiness? What prompted you to write this novel? Is it related to your experience as a parent?
David Ebenbach: Yes, it's all of those things. It's a sort of a weird origin story. For some years, I had been noticing that when I was in the car listening to the radio, I would hear songs from my childhood that made me feel sad, even though they were happy songs. I began to wonder what it was about that time of my life that clings to me.
This book is set a little later than the time period I was initially interested in; it really focuses on my high school experience. I read all my old journals and reflected a lot on what it was like to be me at that time. The book isn't autobiographical in the traditional sense. Most of the characters didn't exist in the exact ways presented, but the raw material is from my life. It's like putting my life into a food processor—adding and chopping things up, which is what produced the book.
Tony Huang: That’s amazing. It must be quite different from writing poetry, right?
David Ebenbach: Yes, writing a novel is so different from writing poetry or a short story collection. When writing a collection, you can pull from various experiences, but a novel is focused, where you work your way through something from beginning to end.
I have a friend who paints murals, and writing a novel is like painting murals; every day you progress a little more.
Tony Huang: How do you manage time for novels along with poetry, short stories, and teaching?
David Ebenbach: It can be challenging. I find summers are quieter, allowing more time to work. I've also found a trick: my only job when I sit down at the desk is to get to the next page without the pressure of writing ten pages. Sometimes that energy carries me to do more, but it keeps the pressure low.
Tony Huang: That sounds like a helpful strategy.
David Ebenbach: It helps me produce writing without feeling overwhelmed, and I can lower my standards to complete a first draft. It all comes out bit by bit that way.
Tony Huang: When I started reading Possible Happiness, especially the title, I found it attractive. It suggests a focus on joy and fulfillment. How do those themes play out in the lives of your characters?
David Ebenbach: The main character, Jacob, struggles with depression but lacks the language for it. He comes from a working-class background where such topics aren’t discussed. He doesn't know what his problem is, but he struggles to find happiness and contentment.
Jacob envisions happiness as perfection—he expects everything to be perfect, but that’s unattainable. In this book, I explore a more realistic happiness that’s accessible to him and to us, emphasizing that true contentment comes from acknowledging the good things around us rather than seeking perfection.
Tony Huang: That’s interesting. It sounds like a valuable exploration of themes we can all relate to. In your previous works, you often blend elements of fiction with philosophical inquiries. How does your new novel Possible Happiness continue to evolve this theme?
David Ebenbach: A lot of it happens in that “possible happiness” zone, figuring out what kind of happiness is realistic. It's a philosophical question: What does it mean to be happy? Do you have to change who you are to be happy, or do you just accept yourself? These are philosophical and psychological questions. There are also themes of race, class, and power dynamics that the main character, Jacob, begins to notice.
Tony Huang: It's true that many characters grapple with complicated feelings, especially Jacob. How do you develop the characters in this novel? What do you hope readers will take away from their journey?
David Ebenbach: It varies from novel to novel. Some characters develop out of scenarios I create. In this case, I started from my own life, thinking about people I knew. I changed everyone’s names to free myself from their real-life identities, allowing me to alter their traits, combine characters, and build a narrative that works. Life doesn’t always make good fiction, and sometimes you have to rearrange events for dramatic effect.
Tony Huang: That makes sense. The setting of the novel is also notable. You’re from Philadelphia, and the story takes place in various parts of the city. Is it different to write about a place you know so well?
David Ebenbach: For beginning writers, setting can often feel added on—a detail included after the story and characters are developed. However, in my experience, setting cannot be an afterthought. It shapes characters and influences what’s possible. For instance, in a place like Venice, taking a boat is sometimes necessary, whereas the challenges of being in Machu Picchu come from the environment itself. Philadelphia, particularly, was a struggling city economically at the time the story is set. Jacob’s family struggles financially, which fits the city's narrative. He also attends a magnet school that draws students from diverse neighborhoods, introducing him to different social dynamics and economic realities.
Tony Huang: It sounds like setting plays a critical role in shaping the characters and their experiences.
David Ebenbach: Absolutely. As Jacob navigates the city, his world expands, and in turn, so do his possibilities and friendships. I’ve seen this with my own son as he explores Washington, DC, realizing it’s much larger than he thought when he was little.
Tony Huang: If Jacob were in a different city, like Washington, DC, how would his experience differ?
David Ebenbach: It would be different because every city has its unique identity. There’s nothing generic about them. For example, Philadelphia has its loud and passionate culture, which would not translate the same in a quieter Midwestern city.
Tony Huang: It’s fascinating how that shapes the narrative.
David Ebenbach: Exactly. Everything about a city—the economy, culture, and geographical features—shapes who characters are and what happens to them. Jacob goes to Chicago at one point in the novel, and it feels very different from his familiar Philadelphia.
Tony Huang: Many readers enjoy discovering how an author's personal life influences their work. While you say this novel isn't strictly autobiographical, can you share any personal experiences that informed its writing?
David Ebenbach: Although it's not strictly autobiographical, it is the most personal book I’ve written. Everything you write is personal because it reflects your concerns and interests. Even if the events didn’t happen in real life, they capture the essence of what it felt like to be me in high school. It was challenging to revisit that younger version of myself who struggled, but it felt good to provide him a way forward through the narrative.
Tony Huang: Did your son read the novel?
David Ebenbach: He asked for a copy, but I didn’t want to pressure him to read it. He used to read my work when he was too young to fully grasp it, but now that he's older, he reads less. I gave him the book but decided my job as a father is not to bring it up and let him approach it in his own time.
Tony Huang: That must be a unique experience for him, having a writer as a father.
David Ebenbach: Definitely. It’s up to him how he engages with it.
Tony Huang: My son is very curious about the works we include in The Hong Kong Review. He’s gone through all the issues, from the first one to the latest.
David Ebenbach: That’s wonderful! It’s a great magazine.
Tony Huang: Thank you! So, let’s move on to a couple of more questions about Possible Happiness. Many characters, especially Jacob, deal with tensions between their ambitions and the sometimes harsh reality. How do you explore that?
David Ebenbach: That part is relatively easy because teenagers often want things that aren’t realistic. They desire so much more than they can have at that point, and they face natural obstacles that enhance the plot. Jacob dates a girl early in the novel, thinking she will solve all his problems, but she’s a human being with her flaws, and no one is perfect.
Teenagers are great characters because they constantly confront reality, and so are younger kids. Anyone without full control over their lives can run into trouble, which is beneficial for storytelling.
Tony Huang: So, when readers engage with your novel, many of them are likely teenagers or older individuals reflecting on their teenage years. Do you aim to convey a message to these audiences, perhaps one of consolation?
David Ebenbach: Yes, actually, this novel was published under Regal House with its Fitzroy Books imprint, which focuses on young adult fiction. While I didn’t write it specifically as a young adult novel, it naturally fits that category. It resonates with both adults looking back and teenagers navigating similar experiences. For adults, it might help them appreciate their younger selves, who were trying hard and making mistakes.
For teenagers, I hope it conveys that if they’re facing tough feelings, they are not alone and that there are ways for things to improve. One of the main things I want to express in my writing is that people are not isolated. I explore themes that many experience but are often hesitant to discuss due to embarrassment or fear of judgment.
Tony Huang: That's important.
David Ebenbach: Yes, there isn't a moral per se in the novel, but if there is a message, it’s simply that you’re not alone.
Tony Huang: Recently, I spoke with a parent who’s not able to join us today, but she wanted to share her thoughts. She was deeply moved by the characters in your novel, especially as she has a son with whom she's been having some struggles.
David Ebenbach: Sure.
Tony Huang: She expressed that reading your novel helped her rediscover her son. He’s been having challenges and had been unwilling to communicate with her about them. After reading, she felt a new perspective and realized her son might be experiencing something similar, which significantly changed their relationship. She plans to introduce the book to him, as long as he’s able to read in English.
David Ebenbach: Wow! I am really moved by that. Thank you for sharing. That’s exactly what I mean—she's not alone in her situation.
Tony Huang: Right.
David Ebenbach: It also doesn’t mean it's the end of things. I think back on my childhood with my mother, a single parent, who worked long hours to provide for us. During my teenage years, I was irritable, and we had our fights. But writing this book allowed me to appreciate how she did her best, just like all of us. So, I believe her son will also come around in time.
Tony Huang: It's great to know that your work resonates like that.
David Ebenbach: Thank you for sharing that with me.
Tony Huang: I felt it was important to tell you directly.
David Ebenbach: I appreciate that. You sent some questions in advance, but it’s nice to have this surprise conversation.
Tony Huang: Exactly.
David Ebenbach: No author sells as many copies as they hope. Everyone wishes for more recognition, even famous historical figures like Shakespeare would want more fame. The true impact comes when I hear stories like the one you just shared—how someone was affected by my work, even if it doesn’t reflect in sales numbers.
Tony Huang: That’s a meaningful sentiment.
David Ebenbach: You know, my goal is to connect with readers and remind them they aren’t the only ones facing struggles. It’s crucial for individuals to know that many others share similar experiences. It’s often better to shine a light on those issues rather than hide them away.
Tony Huang: I think that openness is essential.
David Ebenbach: Yes. And while there’s not a moral in the novel, if there’s a message, it’s simply: you're not alone.
Tony Huang: So, before we wrap up, you mentioned you’re working on a new book. What can you share about it? Is it a collection of poetry, short stories, or another novel?
David Ebenbach: It’s a bit complicated. I have one finished novel currently looking for a publisher, and I have a short story collection ready to be sent out soon. There’s also another novel I’m still revising, but I don’t want to reveal too much about it just yet.
The new novel centers on parenting, particularly reflecting on my own experiences as my son prepared to go off to college. It’s made me think a lot about the journey from infancy to adulthood.
Tony Huang: That sounds exciting!
David Ebenbach: It really is. The chapters are organized by the child's ages, starting from zero and progressing through various stages of development, exploring what it’s like to invest so much in someone and then release them into the world.
Tony Huang: I can’t wait to hear more about it.
David Ebenbach: I hope to finish it soon.
David Ebenbach is a US writer of fiction, non-fiction and poetry and a professor at Georgetown University. He is the author of ten books, and he is the recipient of the Drue Heinz Literature Prize, the Juniper Prize, and the Patricia Bibby Award. His latest novel is Possible Happiness.
Tony Huang is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Hong Kong Review. He is also the founder of Metacircle Fellowship, Metacircle (Hong Kong) Culture and Education Co., Ltd. and Metaeducation. He works as a guest-editor for SmokeLong Quarterly. His poems and translations have appeared in Mad Swirl, The Hong Kong Review, The Best Small Fictions Anthology Selections 2020, Tianjin Daily, Binhai Times, SmokeLong Quarterly, Nankai Journal, Large Ocean Poetry Quarterly, Yangcheng Evening News and other places.
Copy editor: Nancy He