You are a human animal.

You are a very special breed.

Or you are the only animal.

Who can think, who can reason, who can read.

Hi, this is Michael Sulfroblatt, and welcome to Bookworm.

My guest today is Judith Freeman, author of Set for Life, her new book, recently published by Norton,

as well as her novel, The Chinchilla Farm and her book of stories, family attractions.

You know, Judith is a friend who has become a friend through her work,

which I was introduced to when I read the Chinchilla Farm.

And so this is a book that I've had a happy experience with.

I read it in manuscript, and I received it in galleys and then I got a copy of the

hardcover and you know it sort of allows this bookworm feeling of you know like incrementally

being with a book until it may you know if I my way, I think I would sit on your shoulder

and watch you write if I could be like Jiminy Cricket.

I think I might like the company once in a while.

Is it a very lonely myth process?

Sometimes it feels that way to me.

Because in this book, Set for Life,

I did feel very much

that the loneliness

of its hero, Phil,

Doucett. Is that how you say it?

...