Helen Simonson
Dear Sarah, Five years of constant research have made me almost swear never to try a historical setting again. How does Hilary Mantel do it? Of the history books I waded through, I'll mention David Fromkin's "Europe's Last Summer and Richard Van Eden "Boy Soldiers of The Great War". Many memoirs and biographies ranged from Agatha Christie's Autobiography to "Henry James at Work" by the wonderful Theodora Bosanquet. I also used primary sources. I spent many hours in the British Library reading newspapers and magazines of 1914 in an attempt to feel the war approach just as Agatha Kent might have done. But every aspect of the novel, from Triumph motorcycles, and the culture of British Romanies, to fashion and food, all required me to burrow far into interesting subjects. Then came the hardest part...putting my research firmly in the back of my brain and writing the story unweighted by all my newfound expertise. Nothing kills a novel faster than the author showing off research and I was still paring away fascinating true details well into copy editing. If only you knew how much I know about the history of Rye's waterworks and sewer systems!! Thanks for writing and Happy New Year 2016.
More Answered Questions
Anne
asked
Helen Simonson:
I was interested to see that you do not list E. F. Benson as one of your influences, as he is one of my favorite authors. I love the Lucia series. I was a bit concerned when I started reading "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" for fear that your book would come up short, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I found it to be sort of like an updated E. F. Benson novel. Do you feel that is an apt comparison?
Penny Farley
asked
Helen Simonson:
Helen, I have, like previous letters to you have revealed, loved both your books and am already looking forward to your third, whenever that might be! But mainly I am writing to you because of a remark you made in an earlier interview....."I have an ever present longing for England." Yes?? I am an ex-pat of many years and I couldn't have said it better myself! Thank you! Happy Independence Day America!
John Witsey
asked
Helen Simonson:
I have just read The Summer Before the War, attracted by the title & subject matter as I have a fetish for the period the book is set in. One of my favourite novels is Ford Madox Ford's Parade's End & I couldn't help but notice a number of parallels: Rye, period of setting, intelligent daughter of professor left in perilous pecuniary circumstances by his death, etc. Was this novel an influence for yours?
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