Josh Malerman (birdbox) talks to Yannis Sachanidis (popcode) May 30, 2019 – Posted in: Books, Interview – Tags: , ,

A few years ago I heard word of a book that was already loved by the community of horror-loving readers. A book that moves on post-Apocalyptic paths with eyes closed in front of indescribable horrors. Literally.

It is written by Josh Malerman, a musician from Michigan and member of the band The High Strung. This is his first book, a work he wrote and rewrote several times during his band's tours across America, before it was sold and published.

In the summer of 2017, the sale of the rights to the film adaptation of 'Bird Box' to Netflix was announced. With Sandra Bullock, Sarah Paulson, Lil Rel Howery, John Malkovich, Jacki Weaver, Trevante Rhodes in the cast and Susanne Bier in the direction, the film immediately caught the attention of the audience and brought even more readers to the cult book.

The film started streaming on Netflix last December, a few days before Christmas. After breaking records with 80,000,000 views in its first month, 'Bird Box' gained a large number of new readers. A few weeks ago Oxy Publications even brought the novel into Greek, offering Greek readers the opportunity to get lost in Malorie's story and her attempt to raise her children despite the invisible threat that is in her world.

I had the opportunity to speak with Josh Malerman, the author of 'Bird Box' about his book, his characters, the Netflix movie. But also for some very important news that he announced recently for all the fans of his story.

Let's start with the big news: There is a sequel to 'Bird Box' called 'Malorie' and it will be in bookstores on October 1st. What can you tell us about the new book?

I can't say much, just because I want it to be fresh for the readers, but I will say that the title says a lot. 'Malorie' is the continuation of Malorie's story. I guess the whole world of 'Bird Box' is Malorie's story and always will be.

We are very happy to now read 'Bird Box' in Greek as well, since the fans of the book have multiplied due to the Netflix transfer. What's it like to see your book turned into a movie that's available in 190 countries worldwide?

It is incredible. It's important to note that I wrote the draft of the book in 2006. I rewrote it with major changes in 2010. So, for me, seeing these characters come to life in pop culture in 2018/2019? It was as wonderful as you can imagine. When I saw the first scene, Malorie turning the boat around telling the kids to get in, I started to cry. It was amazing to see real people performing the acts these three had performed so many times in my imagination.

Were you involved in any way in the process of making the film? Did you talk to Sandra Bullock and the rest of the cast about your characters?

I had absolutely no involvement in the film and was/am completely fine with that. I realized when I sold the rights that it would be someone else's vision. From there I just hoped it would be a great vision. And as it turned out, it was. So, even though I had no say in its creation, I couldn't be happier with the film itself. And yes, I met Sandra Bullock but we didn't talk about the character or anything like that. She was funny, smart, strong. I loved her.

The 'Bird Box' is definitely one of the most meme-worthy pieces of pop culture in the first few months of 2019, and the fabric covering the eyes is now directly linked to the film. Have you had any notable fan interactions since the movie came out on Netflix?

Well this Bird Box Challenge thing kind of freaked me out. At first I loved it, you know, I thought it was hilarious. But then I saw that it was starting to get a little dangerous. I see it this way, it's exciting enough to make a sandwich with your eyes closed, we don't even have to drive like that!

I was browsing your Goodreads shelves the other day and came across your five-star review of some of Stephen King's books. Are there any writers of horror (or any genre) that you consider a big influence? Is there a recent story that impressed you?

My biggest influences are writers and artists who put out a piece of art every year, regularly, for their careers. Stephen King is like that, but so is Hitchcock and others. I love watching an artist develop, album by album like the Who or film by film like Mario Bava. Bob Pollard of Guided By Voices is like that and it's amazing for us to watch this artist literally evolve. I think I'm always more impressed by the entirety of someone's career than specific works of art. But of course countless books have left me speechless. Recently Andrew Michael Hurley's 'The Loney' really did something for me.

Sight, hearing and touch play a big role in 'Bird Box'. Did you decide from the beginning that your book would deal so significantly with the senses?

At first it felt more like a rule. Like a figure of speech? I'm not sure how to phrase this. I didn't think of it as "sensory" until it was basically complete and I was trying to explain it to others. Then they'd ask me if I walked around the block with my eyes closed, things like that, and that's how big a role the senses played in 'Bird Box'. I realize this seems like an obvious point to make but really, when I sat down to write, it felt more like I was writing an episode of the 'Twilight Zone'. I was thinking more of an episode of 'The Monsters are Due on Maple Street' than a sensory deprivation thriller. But that's how it goes sometimes, right? If you write a book, there's a good chance it's going to end up a little different than what you set out to do. And I love that. The difference between intention and effect. Just finish the book.

I've seen readers react critically to what they perceive to be "ambiguity" in the 'Bird Box' setting. The use of over-explanation at plot points is an ongoing debate for audiences in literature, film and television. Was that something that played into your choice to leave some things out of your book?

At some point, as I was writing the book, I asked myself, "Are you going to show these creatures?" And I remembered that the rule I'd like to follow, the rule I've chosen, is to know as much as Malorie knows. Once I accepted that, it was an easy decision from there.

In the book and the movie we never learn the origin of the creatures. We don't know why they are here or what they want from us. But did you think about their story as you wrote the book?

I've seen a few slice of life dramas before I wrote 'Bird Box' And I thought that almost all slice of life movies are romantic or family dramas, something like that. I started thinking, what if there was a "slice of life" horror story? When the book begins, the problem is already there. And it's not necessarily resolved in the end either. So you kind of have this "slice" of the 'Bird Box' world. That seemed scarier to me than knowing the details, the origin, and any solution.

You'll be attending StokerCon this year, right? Do you enjoy events like this?

Yes! I love it. I am one of the few Honorees this year. I'm excited. It's the only time of the year when I'm surrounded by people who love the same things as me. It's amazing. It feels like a family reunion.

Being a writer and a musician, let's combine the two: Which of the High Strung songs would make a great short story?

Haha. Good question. 'Gravedigger' for sure. About a bored gravedigger who begins to carve his own imaginary names on the tombstones, creating his own fantasy cemetery.

If you could make a soundtrack that readers could listen to while reading 'Bird Box', what song would you include?

I think most of the 'Under the Skin' soundtrack fits great. Some of the darkest moments of Clint Eastwood's 'Unforgiven'. I write a lot with the 'Creepshow' soundtrack. So that would be perfect too.

Let me pitch you an idea that I'm sure you've already thought of: A 'Bird Box' musical, written by you of course, with Hugh Jackman in the role of Tom. Tell me;

Haha, I love it! A huge YES. Can we turn a blind eye to the public? That way I won't have to factor costumes and props into the budget.

republished from pop code