In 'The Catch,' estranged sisters confront a mystery surrounding their mother's death
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, author Yrsa Daley-Ward discusses her novel "The Catch," which follows twin sisters Clara and Dempsey who encounter an impossible sight: their deceased mother, appearing no older than themselves, on a London bus. The story explores the complex relationship between the twins—one a successful writer maintaining a perfect facade, the other facing life's challenges head-on—as they grapple with this mysterious sighting.
The episode delves into Daley-Ward's personal experience with loss and how it influenced the novel's themes of grief and longing. As the first book published under the Well-Read Black Girl imprint, "The Catch" represents a new chapter in publishing that aims to amplify the voices of Black women writers.
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1-Page Summary
"The Catch": A Novel of Twin Sisters and a Mother's Mystery
"The Catch" follows the story of twin sisters Clara and Dempsey, whose lives take an unexpected turn when Clara spots their presumably dead mother on a London bus on their 30th birthday. While Clara is convinced of the sighting, Dempsey remains skeptical, particularly because the woman appears to be their own age. This tension between belief and doubt drives the novel's central mystery.
The Complex Dynamic Between Twin Sisters
The novel delves into the contrasting lives of the twins, who were raised separately in London. Clara, a successful writer, maintains a carefully curated image of perfection while hiding her internal struggles. Meanwhile, Dempsey is portrayed as having had a more challenging start in life. Their relationship, once nearly estranged, reveals how appearances can be deceiving as both sisters grapple with their own difficulties.
Author's Personal Connection to Loss
Yrsa Daley-Ward's own experience of losing her mother in her early twenties deeply influenced the novel's themes. She explains that this loss heightened her empathy and led her to contemplate what it would be like to meet her mother again at her current age. These personal reflections shape the novel's exploration of grief, longing, and the powerful desire for reconnection.
Well-Read Black Girl Imprint
"The Catch" holds the distinction of being the first book published under the "Well-Read Black Girl" imprint, a platform created by Glory Adams to amplify Black women writers' voices. Daley-Ward expresses honor and excitement at being part of this significant initiative celebrating Black women's literature.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- Explore the theme of belief versus skepticism by journaling your own experiences where you've encountered something unbelievable. Write down the event, how you reacted, and what beliefs or doubts arose. This practice can help you understand your personal balance between skepticism and belief, similar to Clara and Dempsey's differing perspectives on seeing their mother.
- Reflect on your relationships with siblings or close friends by writing a letter to them that you don't necessarily have to send. In the letter, address past strains in your relationship and express your current feelings and hopes for the future. This mirrors the evolving relationship between Clara and Dempsey and can be a therapeutic way to process your own relationships.
- Support diverse voices in literature by seeking out and reading books from imprints like "Well-Read Black Girl" or similar initiatives. Make a commitment to read a certain number of books from underrepresented authors each year, which can broaden your perspective and support the amplification of these voices in the literary world.
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Premise and Plot of "The Catch"
"The Catch" is a narrative woven around the mysterious circumstances of a long-presumed dead mother and the lives of twin sisters, Clara and Dempsey, who were raised apart in separate London homes.
Twins Clara and Dempsey, Shocked When Clara Spots Their Mother, Presumed Dead 30 Years ago, On a Bus
Clara is convinced she has seen their mother—who was thought to have died when they were born—alive and well on a city bus. This shocking event occurs on the twins' 30th birthday, adding a haunting layer to the sighting.
Mother's Age Matches Twin Sisters, Raising Dempsey's Skepticism of Clara's Claim
However, Dempsey harbors serious doubts, particularly because the woman Clara has identified as their mother appears to be the same age as the twins themselves. Dempsey's skepticism casts a shadow over Clara's claim, intensifying the mystery of the woman's real identity.
Sisters' Reactions t ...
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Premise and Plot of "The Catch"
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Actionables
- Explore your family history by creating a visual timeline that includes photos, significant dates, and anecdotes to better understand your roots and any mysteries that may exist. This can be a bonding activity with relatives and may lead to discoveries about your family's past, similar to how the characters in the story delve into their family secrets.
- Start a journal to document your thoughts and feelings when encountering situations that challenge your beliefs, much like the differing reactions of the sisters in the narrative. Writing can provide clarity and help you process complex emotions, potentially leading to personal insights or resolutions. ...
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Clara and Dempsey: Twin Protagonists' Characterization and Backstories
The novel focuses on the dynamics between twins Clara and Dempsey, examining their contrasting lives and the complex relationship they share.
Clara, a Successful Writer, Struggles Beneath Her Perfect Life
Clara is portrayed as a writer who has earned acclaim with her debut novel. She carefully curates her life to appear flawless to the outside world. Despite her success, the narrative peels back the layers to reveal that Clara's perfect life is a struggle, suggesting that she harbors her own internal messes akin to her sister's more visible challenges.
Complex Dynamics Between Twin Sisters With a Complicated Relationship
As twins, Clara and Dempsey share a profound connection, yet their lives have diverged significantly. Once nearly estranged and raised apart, they experienced disparate life trajectories. Clara i ...
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Clara and Dempsey: Twin Protagonists' Characterization and Backstories
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Actionables
- Reflect on your own life narrative by journaling to uncover hidden struggles and strengths. Start by writing down your achievements and the image you present to the world, then delve deeper to explore the challenges you face internally. This can help you understand that, like Clara, your external successes may not always align with your internal experiences.
- Create a 'twin day' with a friend or family member where you spend the day experiencing each other's routines and responsibilities. This exercise can foster empathy and understanding, as you'll get a glimpse into someone else's life, much like Clara and Dempsey's contrasting lives. It's a chance to appreciate the complexities of different lifestyles and the unique challenges others face.
- Initiate a conversation with someone you've had a ...
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Author's Connection to Themes, Especially Losing a Parent
Yrsa Daley-Ward's deep personal experiences with loss have directly shaped the themes of empathy, reconnection, and longing in her recent work, as she explores the transformative effects of losing a parent.
For Readers Grieving a Parent, Inspired by Yrsa Daley-Ward's Loss
Daley-Ward: Loss of a Parent Can Evoke Empathy and a Desire to Reconnect
"The Catch" is a novel that resonates deeply with anyone who has undergone the painful experience of losing a parent. Daley-Ward draws inspiration from her own life, particularly the death of her mother which occurred when she was in her early 20s. This profound loss, she explains, softened her and greatly heightened her empathy. Through her writing, Daley-Ward expertly captures the myriad of emotions that surface when one is navigating through the grief of losing a loved one.
Author's Personal Loss Drove the Novel's Central Premise
The central premise of Daley-Ward's novel is driven by her personal journey of bereavement and contemplation. Haunted by the idea of encountering her mother again at her curr ...
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Author's Connection to Themes, Especially Losing a Parent
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Actionables
- You can write a letter to a lost loved one to explore your feelings of empathy and longing, similar to how a character might in a novel. By expressing your thoughts and emotions on paper, you create a personal space for contemplation and connection, even if it's one-sided. This can be a therapeutic exercise to acknowledge your loss and articulate your yearning for reconnection.
- Create a visual art piece that represents your journey through bereavement, using mixed media to symbolize different stages of grief and healing. This could be a collage, a painting, or a digital artwork that captures the essence of your emotions and experiences. The act of creating can serve as a cathartic process and a tangible representation of your personal growth.
- Start a book cl ...
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Significance of Publication Under "Well-Read Black Girl" Imprint
Yrsa Daley-Ward feels a deep sense of honor and excitement that her novel, "The Catch," is the inaugural book published under the new "Well-Read Black Girl" imprint. This initiative, created by Glory Adams, aims to amplify the voices of Black women writers. Daley-Ward e ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Significance of Publication Under "Well-Read Black Girl" Imprint
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can support the representation of Black women in literature by starting a book club focused on works from the "Well-Read Black Girl" imprint. Gather friends or use social media platforms to invite participants, and select a regular schedule to discuss each book. This not only amplifies the voices of Black women writers but also creates a community of readers who appreciate and learn from diverse narratives.
- Create a visual art piece inspired by themes or characters from "The Catch" or other books under the "Well-Read Black Girl" imprint. Use any medium you're comfortable with, such as painting, digital art, or collage, to express what the story means to you. Share your artwork online with a hashtag related to the book or imprint to engage with others and showcase the impact of these stories.
- Write a personal reflection or review ...
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