One of my friends said (the story) came from anger, which is so interesting. Sometimes we think of anger as negative and not productive. But, for me, the story came from a sense of anger that we were watching our amazing planet suffer to a degree that is just unbelievable. Then we have people talking about moving to Mars and turning Mars into a habitable planet. To me, it seems like such a bizarre mindset. ― Deborah Willis, Interview, Calgary Herald
What booksellers are saying about Girlfriend on Mars
- The concept of this book grabbed me right away! Amber is competing to be on a reality show about the first people to colonize Mars – without telling her boyfriend. While she’s filming, Kevin sinks further into depression and a cloud of weed smoke. Added complications are the feelings Amber is having for her co-star and the ulterior motives of the shady millionaire funding the whole ordeal. This is fresh, funny, and contemplative. I haven’t read anything else like it and I love it!
― Andrea Richardson from Fountain Books in Richmond, VA | Buy from Fountain Bookstore
- After Amber gets cast on MarsNow – a satirical take on Elon Musk’s SpaceX by way of The Bachelor – her boyfriend Kevin withdraws into a weed-fueled hibernation at home. Kevin wants to escape his life. Amber wants to escape the whole planet–and maybe also just escape Kevin?? What starts as a punchy, laugh-out-loud romp through the land of reality tv gradually evolves into a stirring hit of climate fiction you’ll feel deep in the pit of your stomach.
― Talia Smart from Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC | Buy from Flyleaf Books
- What a fun concept for a novel. I loved how many layers there are to this story. It can be a funny read about a stoner boyfriend and his reality TV star girlfriend, and it can be a deeper contemplation on finding purpose and meaning in life, and how relationships can inhibit and/or promote personal growth.
― Daniel Jordan from Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, AR | Buy from Pearl’s Books
About Deborah Willis
Deborah Willisis the author of Girlfriend on Mars and two acclaimed collections of short stories, including The Dark and Other Love Stories. Her work has appeared in the Virginia Quarterly Review, the Walrus, and Zoetrope, among other publications. She lives in Calgary, Canada.
