Alex and Elizahits shelves April 11, 2017.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You were inspired to writeAlex and Elizaafter seeingHamilton.What in particular about their love story inspired you?
I just swooned to their love story.
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You are Filipino-American what was the experience of seeing American history depicted by people of color like for you?
After we sawHamilton, I sobbed for a good 10 minutes.
The story of America is also our story.
I had neverfeltentitled to that before.
I had never felt soembracedby American history.
What years does your book cover?
What kind of research did you do to write it?
I thought of my book as very much a Jane Austen retelling of Alex and Elizas story.
What was the most surprising thing you found in your research?
She wore it until she died.
She was so in love with him, such a romantic.
He was a man in love, totally smitten.
Does Angelica Schuyler figure into your story?
She was very much a worldly and sophisticated older sister.
Im very much a staunch Eliza loyalist.
Eliza to me, is Jo March, or maybe a combination of Jo and Meg.
Angelica is more of an older Amy March throw in.
She was meant for nice things and a very rich husband.
And most importantly what is your favorite song fromHamilton?
I have so many!
My Shot, Helpless, Satisfied and Non-Stop.
