Molly Ringwald Debuts New Novel 'When It Happens To You;' Angry Reading 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Because of Anastasia Steele

Molly Ringwald recently wrote a new novel-in-stories "When It Happens to You," which published on Tuesday by It Books.

The book is described:

Molly Ringwald mines the complexities of modern relationships in this gripping and nuanced collection of linked stories, WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU. Writing with a deep compassion for human imperfection, Ringwald follows a Los Angeles family and their friends and neighbors as they negotiate the hazardous terrain of everyday life - revealing the deceptions, heartbreak, and vulnerability familiar to us all.

In "The Harvest Moon," a stay-at-home mom grapples with age, infertility and an increasingly distant husband. In "Ursa Minor," a former children's television star tries to rebuild his life after being hospitalized for "exhaustion." An elderly woman mourns the loss of her husband and her estranged relationship with her daughter in "The Little One." In "My Olivia," a single mother finds untapped reserves of strength to protect her flamboyant six-year-old son who wishes only to wear dresses and be addressed as "Olivia." And in the devastating title story, a betrayed wife chronicles her pain and alienation, leading to an eviscerating denouement.

As the lives of these characters converge and diverge in unexpected ways, Ringwald reveals a startling eye for the universality of loss, love, and the search for connection. An unflinching yet poignant examination of the intricacies of the human heart, WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU is an auspicious literary debut.

The book has also gotten rave reviews:

"When It Happens to You is absolutely lovely, a smart, emotionally sophisticated, intricately dovetailed novel of stories. World, I'm telling you now: Molly Ringwald is the real deal." - Lauren Groff, author of "Arcadia"

"Molly Ringwald's eight electric stories are alive with Joycean insight-piercing, epiphanic moments of terror, humor, and transcendence. Together they offer a deeply moving portrait of modern life." - Eleanor Henderson, author of "Ten Thousand Saints"

"Overall, Ringwald weaves an emotional narrative that avoids getting bogged down in melodrama. With an economy of language, she keeps the story moving, taking readers inside characters' heads without leaving them there too long. Ringwald's storytelling succeeds as much on the page as her acting has done on screen. I look forward to her next literary performance." - Lisa Bonos, Washington Post

Molly Ringwald, known for her role in 1960's "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club," and "Pretty in Pink, recently talked "Fifty Shades of Grey" in an interview with L.A. Times, and didn't seem too happy with it.

"I was sort of perplexed, really, by "50 Shades" .... Not everybody necessarily knows what good writing is, really," Ringwald said in the interview. "I can't say that I was the most studious reader, but I was really kind of interested; at a certain point when a book becomes that big, I feel like it's culturally relevant. And I want to understand why.

"The only thing I can think of is just that we're such a sexually repressed country, like it has something to do with sexual repression."

Ringwald also said that she was mad reading the book because of Anastasia Steele, a 22-year-old recent college grad, who enters the world of BDSM with 27-year-old sexy billionaire Christian Grey, 27, her needs, and how she depends on Christian for her needs Ringwald said she wants her daughters to work for themselves instead of depend on a man.

"I found myself getting angry as I was reading it. Because of how much she ["50 Shades'" Anastasia] wants to be taken care of by a man," Ringwald said.

"Having two daughters myself, I think about this a lot. I've always considered myself a feminist. Even though my mom was a stay-at-home mom, you know, I was always told you will always work, for yourself."

In an interview with Reuters, Ringwald toyed with the idea of making "When It Happens To You' into a movie.

"I think it's something I'd like to do, but I didn't think about it at all as I was writing it. But I think the characters are all really interesting and compelling, if I do say so myself ... I always put my own characters to the test and ask myself, 'Would this be someone I was interested to play?'"

What do you think Books & Reviewers? Would you read "When It Happens To You?" Comment below! 

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