Penny Farley

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!

Helen Simonson Happy 4th to you too, Penny. My second as a citizen. Having dual passports allows me the luxury of being thoroughly a New Yorker and Brooklynite while remaining so very connected to the Rye and England of my youth and family. We are both rich in countries Penny!

More Answered Questions

Anne

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?

Janis

Janis asked Helen Simonson:

I am am English Lit buff (love that your influences are my faves) but just started to read "The Summer Before the War" because the title attracted me. I almost never read contemporary authors, (my cutoff is the Second World War), because your wonderful style takes me right back to the writers of the early twentieth century, I am thoroughly enjoying the experience... How do you manage to stay so true to the times?

Sarwat Jahan

Sarwat Jahan asked Helen Simonson:

Hi Helen.I pursued my graduation in communicative english with media studies,post that i did B.Ed in english and currently pursuing masters in english from one of the colleges of PATNA,BIHAR,INDIA.Though my major was not english i have made a mind to enrich my knowledge in literature field.Could you please give some suggestions to help to pursue my masters in a better way as i have to begin from 'A' level?

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