Celebrating Debutantes 2016: Doreen by Ilana Manaster (Character Interview + Giveaway)

Hey Everyone!

The second wave of CelebratingDebutantes2016 blog event is still on going! Today I am absolutely thrilled to share to all of you my interview with the main character of Doreen by Ilana Manaster. This newly released novel is a retelling of a classic story, Dorian Gray with a gender-swapped role. Isn’t that interesting? Dorian Gray as a girl in modern day setting?

If you haven’t read the book yet or for some reason aren’t familiar, today is your chance to meet the main character, Doreen Gray.

And if you’d like to know a bit more about the book, the descriptions and places to find copies online are below. Also, if you’d like to know more about the author, Ilana Manaster’s bio and links to find her online are just after mt interview with Doreen.

Don’t forget to check the giveaways below for a chance to win a copy of the Doreen.

Have fun reading the interview!

Character Interview with Doreen Gray

To start things off, can you please introduce yourself so everyone will know more about you?

My name is Doreen Gray. I was born at Lenox Hill Hospital on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. My father, Roland Gibbons IV, comes from an old East Coast family, but he and my mother divorced when I was little, so my Mom went back to the Midwest to raise me. It wasn’t great there. I was a victim of vicious bullies at my school so, even though they hadn’t spoken for ages, my Mom demanded that my father pay for me to go to his fancy alma mater, Chandler Academy, in New Hampshire. My cousin, Biz Gibbons-Brown is a star student there. And she happens to be roommates with the prettiest, most popular girl in school, Heidi Whelan. Amazingly, we become friends. Even more amazingly, after Biz takes my picture, a miraculous transformation comes over me. I become beautiful!

Let’s say you meet Dorian Gray today, what are the things you want to tell or ask him?

First of all, I would suggest that we go shopping. That guy has amazing taste! Then I would ask if he had advice for coping with jealous people. Lastly, I would ask him: was it all worth it? I have a feeling I know what he would say about that.

How about your Dad, is there anything you want to tell or ask him?

My Dad? Why do you bring him up? Uh, I don’t know. I guess, I mean, he took care of himself when I was growing up, and at the time I was mad about it, but now I kind of understand. Or, I don’t understand? But I forgive him. Or, I don’t forgive him, but I’m careful about bringing that stuff up. I really don’t want to blow it with him. So I would ask him something benign, maybe about art. He’s really into art. Not making it, like Biz, but buying and selling it.

If you could change one thing about yourself aside from your physical appearance, what would it be and why?

I sometimes wish I could just be comfortable. Like, that I wasn’t so paranoid that people are making fun of me, or that they are after something of mine.

If money won’t be an issue and you have a few days free of responsibilities, where would you go and what would you do?

I’d love to do it up in London. Everyone says I look like a young Elizabeth Taylor, and she’s from there. And Kate Middleton is my obsession.

Lastly, share to us your top five (5) favorite things you own.

Here you go:

I own a certain picture, a gift from my cousin Biz. It is my prized possession and my secret.
A single dirty green glove that was given to me by my first love, Simon Vale, as a way to talk to me.
A pair of electric blue Roger Vivier heels that I “borrowed” from a store during my first shopping trip to New York with Heidi.
A pair of killer diamond earrings that had belonged to a distant relative.
A perfect white Balenciaga City bag. The very first thing my father bought me for my new, um, look.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ilana Manaster has an MFA in fiction and translation from Columbia University. She volunteered as a mentor to young writers through Girls Write Now and has performed her own writing in a one-woman show in the Fringe Festival as a stand-up comedian. Doreen is her debut novel.

Find Ilana

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Tumblr

ABOUT THE BOOK

Book Details:

Title: Doreen
Author: Ilana Manaster
Publisher: Running Press
Publication Date: June 07, 2016
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover

When Doreen Gray walks in the vaulted doorway of elite Chandler Academy, she is a sad, disastrous mess of acne, frizzy hair, and low self-esteem. Heidi Whelan, social-climber turned queen bee, takes one look and knows she has found her new protégé…and the key to making her ultimate vengeful move. Heidi gets her old-monied bookworm roommate Biz Gibbons-Brown to stage a photo shoot and work her Photoshop magic to give Doreen a true society debut.The result? A stunning profile pic that looks nothing like the real Doreen.

What none of the girls expect is to see Doreen wake up the next morning the embodiment of the glossy, digital makeover. Now, in order to maintain her sleek façade, Doreen has to hide her real self and the only hardcopy of the original photo, which begins to rapidly and disturbingly deteriorate. What will the secret do to her soul? As Heidi loses control of her grand creation, the rest of her master plan must morph into a different shape.

Out with nineteenth century London and in with twenty-first century New England. Featuring a triangle of teen girls instead of a trio of gentlemen, Doreen is a sleek and scandal-filled YA retelling of Oscar Wilde’s classic The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Goodreads

Giveaway:

What’s up for Grab?

copies of Doreen by Ilana Manaster

The Rules:

Open to US/CA and PH
There will be two (2) winners. One for US/CA and 1 for PH readers
Winner will be chosen and announced by rafflecopter
Winner will be contacted thru email & should response within 48 hours
Ends September 10th, 2016
Prizes will be sent by the publicist for US/CA while PH will be from me

To enter fill out the rafflecopter form

Good Luck!!!

Treat yourself to a complete #CelebratingDebutantes2016 experience. Click the image below for the full list of schedule and links to each second wave feature post!