the truth about delilah blue tish cohen

Why is there little celebration in this book? The author explains.

This question was presented to Tish Cohen, author of The Truth About Delilah Blue, upon reading her book for the Harper Collin’s Book Blog Tour.

Britty Books asks:

I noticed even though there was a length of time that passed, holidays weren’t mentioned.  Especially because the heightened stresses for Delilah were happening in between Canadian and U.S. Thanksgivings, I was wondering if it was purposeful that nothing is mentioned about them? Is this part of the displaced Canadian feelings?  Is the passage of time a blur because of some suppressed memories? Is there significance to her mother’s birthday being the only marker of ‘traditional’ celebration in the book?


TISH COHEN responds:

The absence of holiday celebrations in the book was deliberate. Victor scooped Delilah up and out of her life and really created a rather rudimentary existence for her in the Hollywood Hills. They have no family they can contact, and Victor had no skills to celebrate a holiday such as Thanksgiving with his young child. He loves his daughter to a fault but is also something of a preener and sees the world his way. Just as he ignores Delilah’s desire to go to art school, he is somewhat blind to the real needs of a child.

Delilah grew up aggrandizing her mother so the decision to mark Elisabeth’s birthday only is meant to reveal that. Also, Elisabeth’s childish and narcissistic ways demand that she be noticed. The people around her, no matter what else might be happening, would never be permitted to ignore her day.

With regards to the passage of time being something of a blur for Delilah, I think this is something that happens after trauma. When a person cannot handle what has happened to them, the mind can respond by creating something of a fog. The things that do break through that fog and make it into Delilah’s memory, tend to be centered around her mother, her confusion, or her isolation.

Thank you to Tish Cohen!  All the best with your book, The Truth About Delilah Blue!

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