_Interview with Books and Authors and Page One

Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

I grew up in Germany. Reading was always a part of my life, writing was not. But storytelling was. My mother was an excellent storyteller. Recalling mostly the rites and rituals and pranks of her childhood and adolescence, she would draw us children into her world with such realistic detail and with such emotional expression that we were spellbound. Not once, but several times in later years, I would argue heatedly with this or that relative about some incident and wouldn’t back down. Only their astonished looks and their air of utter frustration reminded me that I had not been there, in fact, I wasn’t even born when this or that happened. So this was rather amusing, but such is the power of great storytellers. And though I began writing things down when I was twelve or so (ripping everything into iddy biddy pieces then and flushing them down the toilet), it never occurred to me to write her stories, or mine, down. Writing was not an occupation the family would have approved of. Don’t ask me why or how I knew this. It was just in the air. The disapproval of it.

The attic room I describe in The Good American had, of course, no television set or toys and few books. But the lack of things to play with helped us to develop a tremendous imagination. We made up stories and enacted plays, and we got into our play acting so deeply and so thoroughly that to be called away from them by an adult was always a rude awakening. I can’t remember when I began inventing stories for my sister who was three years younger. I think I was six or seven. We shared a single bed in the attic room, and she insisted that I tell her a story before she fell asleep. And so I did. She wanted only stories of princes and princesses, and she always protested loudly when I dared tell her a story that didn’t have a happy ending.

As for reading, our neighbors had an armoire full of books. I will never know how they got them through the war. For some reason, they gave me access to that armoire, and there I was, on the floor of their meager room, gone into the world of books—first, into these wonderful, colorful pictures that accompanied the stories, and then, once I could read, totally lost to the rest of the world.

Why did you write The Good American? Where did this story come from?

The Good American was, well, the good American. He came to the door one day with a bag full of food which made him extremely good as far as we, the children, were concerned. And he played the most beautiful tunes on his ukulele. Diamonds were nothing compared to the Hershey’s Kisses he brought one day and that we had never tasted before. And a marshmallow Easter bunny was a delicacy so profound, one could eat it only in the tiniest of bites so it would last forever. But the story of the good American itself was born after years of arguing with my mother who was long dead. These inner battles left little of her as a person but a lot of me in terms of anger. I don’t remember when, once again recalling an incident when she should have said something other than what she did say, the persistent image of her on a train with a child came to me and went and came again. I concentrated on that image, and then I remembered: she had gone into the Russian occupied sector some time after WWII to get her sister’s child out, because her sister would have been arrested if she went. This memory changed everything. Almost in a flash, I saw my mother not as my mother, but as the tremendously courageous human being. Destitute as she was herself was, she had nonetheless enough compassion and certainly just plain guts to do such a foolhardy thing as to travel on her own through the Iron Curtain and beyond. If you like stories about the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, this is your story.

How much of The Good American is fiction and how much is true? You describe this book as “A Novel Based on True Events.” Please explain.

Too much in the book is true—too much in the sense that I wish it weren’t, hadn’t happened—the devastation of war, the living in the aftermath of that, without food and proper clothing, or heat in the winter time. No, it shouldn’t have happened to a single human being whenever or wherever. But if you want specifics, I shall cite a few:

Is The Good American a real person?

Yes.

Did he bring something as delicious and wholly unknown to the children as pink marshmallow bunnies?

Yes.

Is the story with the bananas true?

Yes.

Did he love “Ruth”?

Yes.

Are the skeletal remains of cities bombed beyond recognition true?

Yes.

Did people live there?

Yes.

Is the hunger true?

Yes.

Did a gutsy young widow, destitute as she was, go behind enemy lines to save her sister’s child?

Yes.

Did she live in an attic room much like the one described in the book?

Actually, it’s exactly as described in the book.

Did she make a journey from east to west on foot?

Yes.

You have said, “I began writing the story (The Good American) as a short story. But it was not enough.” -- Please explain.

The short story told the journey of a courageous young woman who went to a dangerous place to rescue a child. But the more I wrote, the more I realized that her journey was also Whitman’s journey, and Hannah’s, and that of the children, and of every character in the book. Most importantly, however, her journey was the symbolic journey of a whole populace that had, somehow, survived the ravages of war and lived now in the aftermath of a catastrophe—displaced from home; scrambling for whatever meager food was available; living in the ruins of bombed buildings; relying on some relief center for clothes for their children; without medical care. And still they did whatever it took to live—to raise their children on a shoestring; to scrounge and barter for food; to preserve their dignity; to help others less fortunate wherever they could. They laughed. They fought to barely survive. They cried. But they were determined to move forward somehow, and I don’t know how. And all this, I could not tell in a short story. I’ve put some pictures of that time, of the time around Ruth’s journey, on my website www.ursulmandel.com.

Tell us about Memories of VMI.

Imagine a small ballroom filled to the brim with people, some of whom are standing together in groups, laughing their heads off. I know why they’re laughing. They are telling stories—stories of when they were young, when they were cadets at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. They are telling, say, stories of that first innocent, hopeful, confident step of matriculating at a revered institution, unaware that their very next step would lead them directly into the hell of a Ratline. They tell stories of pranks and of small crimes and of their consequences. Listening, I wonder whether anyone is writing these stories down. I ask around. No one is. And so I vowed to do it. If I didn’t, these wonderful, hilarious, moving stories would be entirely lost to posterity. Too many cadets have already taken their stories to their graves with them, among them Secretary of State General George C. Marshall, a 1901 graduate of VMI.

Who are your favorite writers and why?

I love satire, so Gogol, Twain, Beerbohm. The Russians for their wonderful drama—Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekov—the Modernists, Andrei Bely, Yuri Olesha, Virginia Woolf. Books I keep picking up again and again are the philosophers, Camus, Sartre, and for poetry, William Carlos Williams, Ginsburg, Ferlinghetti, and then. Beryl Markham’s West With the Night and Kate Braverman—I wish I could write like these writers; then Annie Dillard, particularly Holy the Firm.

Any advice to writers working on their first book?

Barbara Sher cites some Buddhist wisdom in her book I Could Do Anything If Only I Knew What It Was: that there is honor in being an apprentice. You find something similar in the poet Kabir whose poetry was transcribed by Robert Bly: that the teacher bows to the student. The teacher honors the apprentice. Apprentices are, by definition, imperfect, unfinished, ignorant of the crafts they are about to give their lives to, but they have entered the sphere, because they are willing to learn. They know that they know nothing.

The more you compare yourself to others and to far more accomplished and successful writers, the less you will be able to look at your own work objectively. But if look at yourself as an honored apprentice who knows that she knows nothing and so has made herself free to try out something of her own, something new, something different, to play with words and sentences, to try out this voice and that, to bring this character on stage and to take this one off, you will lose your fear of measuring up to some illusory standard. It’s the only way your writing will become your own. Considering myself an apprentice of the craft, I began to play. I tried out. I whittled away. I threw things away. I rewrote sentences fifty times. Or not at all when I thought they were perfect. What I would advice beginning writers to do is this: Know that there is honor in being an apprentice. The Good American was my apprentice work, and I do not claim that it is perfect. So read it at your own peril. But I love, adored, writing it. I love this book.

8. What's next?

Next are two novels I keep working on simultaneously, as the mood strikes me. They too are apprentice works, because I don’t think I will ever get out of that state, learning something with every sentence I write. What are they about? Don’t want to say, because until they go out into the world, they’re mine.

9. What was the last book you read?

The last book I read was E=mc2 by David Bodanis. The book tells the story of the becoming of the formula itself. Of necessity connected to the question of just what constitutes Energy, what Mass, and how the two are related, the formula journeyed from its birth in Greek philosophy and mathematics to the experiments of the Alchemists on to the observations of the Renaissance and on to the advances of the Age of Technology until they finally met Einstein and knew they was home.

10. Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

I have many passions—writing, reading, beautiful paper and pens and colorful pencils, music, particle physics—but no hobbies. Unless sitting somewhere lovely with a fresh cup of coffee and a cigarette and thinking and dreaming out at some middle distance were a hobby. Does doing absolutely nothing enhance my writing? Tremendously! More of my writing has resolved itself just by sitting still somewhere, with my feet propped up on some ottoman, looking out at that illusive middle distance.

11. What has been your feedback from readers? What do they say to you about their interpretations of your books?

I shall let them speak for themselves: (with all the “sic’s” in tact)

To buy from Amazon: The Good American: A Novel Based On True Events

Gunta Krasts-Voutyras, Former Displaced Person, Present Senior Citizen

Ursula Mandel's novel is a painting done with words. Since I was a child of ten in 1945 when WWII ended and played in the rubble of destroyed buildings, begged for food for my family and myself, was dressed in rags and never lost my will to live, this novel is very close to my heart. Uncannily Ursula Mandel tells this story as if she herself experienced the courage of Ruth, the old landlady's stern on the outside and devastated on the inside personality. Ruth's pride, her shyness to take food from Captain Whitman. This kind of pride comes of good breeding. Ruth's show of backbone to the Russian soldiers. Her description of the Russian brutality, which those of us who were there will never forget.

I shed tears while reading and devoured it in one sitting allowing all else to slide until I had read this novel. Thank you Ursula. Have bought two copies for my 44 and 46 year old children who have no clue and never will. Thank God. My note to them was: REQUIRED READING. I am sure I will buy many more copies to give as gifts. You are a very talented lady Ursula and you care about your family and your roots and your Mom, you have been unafraid to unravel the "knitting" to see where this leads you to. When I finished your novel I felt emotionally shook up for several hours and that is good. I must never forget! This will help me do my small part in not allowing any other madman to destroy a whole generation. Thank you again Ursula. Am awaiting your next book.

Davina at BookBrowse.com,

Set in post war Germany just as the iron curtain is falling, and in 1990s America, this book within a book tells the story of a young woman's desperate attempt to rescue her niece from Berlin, just before the Russian blockade is completed. She is helped by the 'Good American' - an army officer who falls in love with her. Based in large part on Mandel's own mother, this book is an inspirational and poignant read. I find myself replaying many of the scenes again and again - the children playing in the burnt out buildings with chalk from the ruined chandeliers, the old man and his books and many others. This book deserves a wide audience - I highly recommend it to all readers.

A. C. Gray, Massanutten, VA:

All whose lives have been touched by the ravages of war bear in their memory forever the grief, losses, and struggles to grasp some meaning for living out the balance of their days. The post-war adjustments for many perhaps never end. Time has a way of mending broken hearts but the wounds and scars of war heal very slowly. We meet people every day whose lives have been changed immeasurably by conflict and many of their stories never get into print. The several life stories that are woven so ingeniously in The Good American are reminders of many who have coped courageously with adversity and found a way not only to survive, but also to use their limited resources and native talents for remaking of an orderly world. Ursula Mandel, who grew up in postwar Germany, weaves a tale of ordinary people who did extraordinary things. The warm German hospitality I found as an American officer stationed in Wiesbaden three decades after World War II had ended grew out of a mutual respect Americans and Germans had one for another. Americans I knew immensely admired the German work ethic and ingenuity, their clean streets and homes, their delicious strudels, their superb automobiles, but most of all their determination to rebuild their cities and lives. Ursula Mandel's book is a benediction and compliment to those Americans and Germans who loved and cared enough to forge a lasting friendship for our two countries. The book has the essentials for a powerful cinema and I hope to see the story come alive on the big screen.

Nicole Hayes, Columbia, MO, December 14, 2001:

Thoroughly enjoyable, riveting and enlightening. For a person who was born of a generation who's biggest conflict (until recently) was the Gulf War, this book provided a touchingly personal view of a kind of life I could never imagine. And it does so from widely varying points of view: that of a shattered and vanquished nation, of a prosperous occupying force working towards putting the pieces back together, and of a generation whose lives are still deeply affected by the history of their parents. I truly enjoyed reading this book. It has all the elements of a great story: romance, mystery, adventure, intrigue... and, possibly the most important, authenticity. I highly recommend it.

Charles Hal Dayhuff, September 4, 2001

I had the pleasure of meeting Ursula at the Virginia Military Institute on Saturday 25 August. After a short visit I thought I had known her forever. On my way back to Atlanta I had the pleasure to read THE GOOD AMERICAN. If you have even read a book on World war II or looked at the pictures. and the efforts in Europe the book will be something. If you have ever ridden the train from West Berlin through East Germany to East Berlin you will have cold flash backs. If you have ever helped a family in need you will have flash backs. If any of you have served in Viet Nam, Korea, Germany, Panama, and the other places where our military is now this book will tie it all together. You will walk in the foot prints and be able to relate to the people. The best thing about his book is that it is TRUE, Real, Sincere and the Author is one who can be a true friend. Ursula has written a book that will become a BEST SELLER and the TOP rung on the critics ladder. THE GOOD AMERICAN is for all who want to witness the other victims of a war torn country, experience their lives and how in time of need they will give the other person the chance with out thinking of their own safety. If you want to read a book that cannot be put down this is it. Thank you for sharing this with all of us. We are better for it.

Joni Britt, Palmdale, CA, August 5, 2001

Ursula Maria Mandel's novel, The Good American, is a story of real people, and how the circumstances surrounding their lives determined the decisions they made. It is also a story of understanding, and ultimately, forgiveness; not only for others, but for oneself. A good read.

A Reader from Virginia, June 21, 2001

A compelling, captivating story - once you start reading this book, you cannot put it down. THE GOOD AMERICAN portrays life in post-war Germany through two storylines - a woman's quest to rescue her sister's child out of Berlin before the Russian blockade, and her falling in love with an American officer. Short chapters are used as a literary tool to increase the reader's suspense. The author goes back and forth between 1948 and 1992, the year in which one of the woman's daughters meets with the American's son to reveal the true story. This is one of the most visually written books I have ever read - filled with all the five senses on every page: the reader can literally see the children play in the rubble of the bombed cities, taste the lollipop the little girl is longing for, and smell the coffee from the American that the women treasure. Scenes of women and children looking for berries in the woods, trading anything they own for food, trying to sell the precious silverware for a child's doll remind me of the stories my own grandparents - who were German - had told me. Every American should read this book to understand what life is like after a war in one's own country. Then read it again and again, and you may feel that you have been there yourself. A masterpiece of literature! Bravo, Dr. Mandel. We are eagerly awaiting your next book!

Karen Self, Mathias, WV, June 9, 2001

do not find myself reading books very often but I was referred this book by a friend and thought I would give it a read. I found myself reading at the lunch table at work and was so engrossed that I didn’t know when my lunch hour was up. What a wonderful story. I only hope that Ursula will pen a sequel if possible so that we might find out if the knot ever gets tied. Thank you Ursula.....you tell a great story.

Cindy, Leesburg, VA—May 16, 2001, Fascinating Story.

With all the conveniences of today's world it is hard to imagine one in which just finding a loaf of bread to sustain you and your family is of constant concern. This is a riveting tale of perseverance and triumph of the human spirit. It also shows that love can surprise us when we least expect it and when we need it most. A truly inspirational story all will enjoy.

Carolyn, Harrisonburg, VA, May 11, 2001

Courageous. I started reading The Good American and could not put it down. This is one of the beset books I have ever read. I hope Ms. Mandel continues to write for us for years to come. Am awaiting her next book with much anticipation.

A Reader from Keezletown, VA, April 27, 2001

This truly is the best book I have read in a very long time. I read it in two days, because I simply could not put it down. It almost seemed like it was two stories in one. I was anxious to find out what would happen with Penelope and Alex, but also wanted to know the whole story of Ruth and Alex's father. The book was so well written, I felt like I was right there, watching everything happen. The book also gives us a different look at the war and how it affected people that is not written in any history book. I have already bought two more books to give as gifts and will definitely recommend "The Good American" to anyone who enjoys reading.

Justin Ballard, Charleston, WV, April 7, 2001

Wonderful Novel! Love, Adventure, Struggle, and War! I hardly ever read for leisure, it is always a text book or some manual. When I do read for leisure, it takes me weeks to get through it. Not this book! I read it in 3 days, I could not put it down! I lived in Germany for 4 years, and never did I 'see' Germany as I did in this book. A wonderful story, with a story-line that everyone can follow and feel a connection with. Men, Women, Young and Old can truly enjoy this book. If you haven't read a really good book in a while, I suggest this one! It will remind you why it's good to be alive!

A Reader from Wayne PA, March 30, 2001

A must read! This book is wonderful. I too was unable to put it down once I started. It shows the genuine spirit of mothers, sisters and family. You will be amazed at the lengths a loyal sister will go to free her niece from Berlin after WWII. It is a must have for your collection.

Fred Hauser, USA, March 6, 2001

I could not put this book down once I began reading. It begins innocently enough when two people meet. One tells a gripping story of how her own Mother returned a child to its parent under harrowing circumstances after the Second World War. The other learns to hold his father in high esteem for the first time since childhood. A book that is well worth reading.

To buy from Amazon: The Good American: A Novel Based On True Events

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