|
|
| photo: Gavin Green | |
Robyn Green was born and raised in Suffolk, England. After falling in love with theater at a young age, she spent time performing on stage before moving her focus behind the scenes where she now specializes in costume design and curation. Green's passion for the arts is the main source of inspiration for her writing. The Dramatic Life of Jonah Penrose (Harper Perennial, November 11, 2025) is her debut novel and her love letter to the theater in which a fake dating publicity stunt between rival co-stars results in romantic sparks neither of them expected.
Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less:
A dramatic and poignant romance set in the heart of London's dazzling West End.
On your nightstand now:
I'm currently making my way through Taylor Jenkins Reid's books. I just finished Malibu Rising and am now on to Carrie Soto Is Back. I adore her writing and the dynamics she creates between her characters. I also love how, now I've read quite a lot of her work, I can pick up on the little Easter eggs she leaves in her books. I really enjoy it when authors can add subtle references to their past work, and Reid does that so well.
Favorite book when you were a child:
This one is really hard because when I think back to being a child, a lot of my memories come from reading with my grandad, but I can't remember a particular book he used to read to me. I do remember when I was far enough in my reading at school that I was allowed to go and choose a book from any shelf in the library (trust me, this was a big deal!) and I picked up The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White, which was probably a little bit above my comprehension level, but I kept checking that book out for weeks until I finished it. I'm pretty sure it was the first chapter book I read alone, and for that reason I would have to say it was my favourite (apart from the Mog the Forgetful Cat books--they will forever have a place in my heart!).
Your top five authors:
As I said before, I am loving Taylor Jenkins Reid at the moment, so she would definitely have to be in there. An auto-read author for me now is also Kalynn Bayron; I fell in love with Cinderella Is Dead and have been fully invested in the worlds she creates ever since. Another I will always read is Mona Awad; Bunny was my first book of hers and I couldn't put it down. I then went on a slight "Awad mission" and read everything by her and am in awe of how she crafts her stories. Casey McQuiston is another author whose work I simply can't get enough of--I have always been an advocate for having more queer representation in books, so to have someone such as McQuiston putting out work with such richly diverse characters is a breath of fresh air. I am also a huge fan of Madeline Miller, and have far too many special editions of her books; she weaves such stunning tales, I always feel fully immersed in her work, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Book you've faked reading:
A lot of my friends used to talk about George Orwell's 1984, and a couple of times when asked if I'd read it, I said no and got very sceptical looks! So, for years I just said I'd read it to avoid the literary judgement! I am, however, pleased to say I listened to the audiobook last year and really enjoyed it. It was one of those books where I felt on the edge of my seat. I really should have read it earlier, but at least I can truthfully say I've read it now.
Book you're an evangelist for:
I would probably say Circe by Madeline Miller. However, I am one of those people who takes personal offence if someone doesn't like one of my favourite books, so I will shout about any of them all day if I have to just to encourage others to read and love them.
Book you've bought for the cover:
In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens--that cover is simply gorgeous. I am drawn to beautiful character art anyway, so to see a cover featuring such stunning work made me pick it up straight away. I think they can work really well especially in the fantasy genre.
Book you hid from your parents:
Honestly, I don't think I ever hid a book from my parents. They were great and encouraged me to read, read, read and never really questioned what it was I was reading. Saying that, I do have an apology to them in my acknowledgements for The Dramatic Life of Jonah Penrose for the swearing in it!
Book that changed your life:
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. That book broke my heart, and I still find my mind drifting off to that book; it really stuck with me, and not in some kind of profound way, but in a heart-wrenching way. I read a lot so to have a book stick with me for so long means it impacted me somehow. I don't know if I would say it changed my life. That title would have to go to Hamlet by Shakespeare, but it's the first book that came to mind for this question. I love books that make you think, even after finishing the last page.
Favorite line from a book:
Although a very difficult read given the themes, my favourite line from a book is: "And so I try to be kind in everything I see, and in everything I see, I see him." From A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. That line made me sob.
Five books you'll never part with:
Circe, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, Bunny, The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.
Book you most want to read again for the first time:
Circe or Shuggie Bain, both for very different reasons! Circe was magical, such a gorgeous story, and Shuggie Bain broke my heart, and I am definitely one of those readers who loves to have a good cry.