The Cure is a true story about a father’s race to produce a medicine to save the lives of his two children—truly an American story, isn’t it?
The Pulitzer prize-winning <i >Wall Street Journal</i> reporter on her book, <i >The Cure</i>, which inspired the Hollywood film, Extraordinary Measures
The Cure is a true story about a father’s race to produce a medicine to save the lives of his two children—truly an American story, isn’t it?
Yes, because Americans generally think they can do something to change their fate and tap into resources to do so. They have an optimism.
A story like that wouldn’t happen in India?
For the most part, Indians deal with such catastrophic events by finding a way to accept instead of change things.
You stumble upon a story, an agent grabs it, sells film options—sounds like a dream run.
It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done—I had my job as a reporter, was raising two daughters and the subject I’d picked was very complex.
Did winning the Pulitzer make it easier to sell this book?
The prize was for a series on corporate corruption in the biotech industry, but it certainly helps to win the highest journalism award.
Do US publishers pay enough advance to fund research for non-fiction books?
They pay more than here, but you can’t afford to give up your day job. I mostly worked on the book before and after work, and on weekends.
Is it tough to be a layman science reporter?
On the contrary, it enabled me to write about science in simple language.
Is it very different, now that you’re doing medical stories from India?
I really enjoy writing about the huge challenges and the different solutions.
Such as...
A Bangalore hospital, Narayana Hrudayalaya, which does heart surgeries with outcomes comparable to the US at one-tenth the price.
What’s the best part about returning home?
The warmth of my family and friends and feeling connected to my childhood.
And the worst?
The hassle of everyday life and the challenge of getting small things done.