Mumsnet Talk

June's Book of the Month is the latest Number One bestseller from a much-requested Mumsnet favourite, Kate Atkinson. STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG is the fourth novel to feature former private detective Jackson Brodie. The story also introduces security chief Tracy Waterhouse, whose one moment of madness turns her steady world into a nightmare of fear and panic. As the plot dovetails and twists and weaves together, Jackson (who has spent a lifetime looking for missing people) now begins to learn those people don't always wish to be found.

Transworld are offering 50 copies of STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG to Mumsnetters. To bag your copy before they run out, email your name and address to k.green@transworld-publishers.co.uk, and put Mumsnet in the Subject bar.

We're delighted that Kate will be joining us on Wednesday 22 June, 8-9pm, so don't forget to join us to ask Kate about all her books, how she writes, her experiences of motherhood, what inspires her... See you then.

Wow! I was just wishing for Kate Atkinson after the Maggie O'Farrell bookchat and here is Tilly like a fairy godmother. Shall look forward to this. Loads to discuss. Remarkable book.

Is that Fountains Abbey on the cover of "Started Early ..."? It looks like it. That is a beautiful set of ruins, and funnily enough it is a great place to take your dog.

This book was the read for our gossip over a glass of wine bookclub last month. A great read leading to some of us going back to read the earlier Brodie books.

I've read a couple of Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books and have quite enjoyed them. Not a patch on her Behind the Scenes at a Museum, though.

They strike me as novels that have completely internalised the structure of police television dramas. Odd for one form to take on the mores of another form so completely. It is a bit like the robotic style of streetdancing -- real humans trying to approximate the non-fluidity of machines that are trying to approximate to the fluidity of real human movement.

That is a very entertaining and clever way of dancing, though, I suppose, and her books are enjoyable. I never like her novel's climaxes, though: they can never live up to their build-up, and they seem deliberately silly. Her characters seem worth more than her stories give us.

I had the same feeling with the later books in JKRowling's Harry Potter series -- that at some point a switch was turned, and she was writing her image of the films, rather than writing books for their own sake. It is bad enough as a reader having the film adaptation in your head: it must be like an intestinal parasite for the writer. Of course Atkinson is a way way better writer than Rowling though, so the similarity ends there.

The loose threads regarding the child do come across as 'wait for the next instalment'.

Thumbs up to Behind the Scenes definitely.

Am a huge Kate Atkinson, love the Bordie Jackson series.agree they do seem a bit obviously 'made for TV'

Read her earlier detective; looking forward to this one.

are you all only saying that because its recently been announced that they are going to be made into a tv series?

I read the first three and loved them but, I was put off opening the last one after what some people on here had said about it. That it wasnt as good as the first three.

Oh I am so excited

Maggie O'Farrell last night and now Kate Atkinson, you are spoiling us Tilly.

Am going to reread Started Early..

I found it just as good as the first 3 kitkatya, and possibly even sadder. I felt the urge to reread it as soon as I'd finished it.

I dont feel at all that the books are written for TV. For me, its not really about the plots in her books, its the characters and the language. And I think if someone was writing a thriller for TV, plot would be their main consideration. I think a lot of the subtleties of her plots and characters will get lost in translation to TV (but there will be enough left to keep them enjoyable to watch).

Kate Atkinson is fantastic with language, and that facet of her books really sets them apart. If anyone really enjoys her style, and the humour she engages in with her word choices and sentence structuring, "Emotionally Wierd" is a very funny read. Its nothing like the Jackson Brodies or Behind The Scenes in any other way though, not plot-driven, just multi-layered humour in the way she writes the story.

Wow what a treat to have Kate Atkinson on here!! I would love to know which writers have inspired/influenced Kate. I've often thought that Angela carter may be an influence, especially in kate's earlier books? Would she agree with this?

Yay! And yay again! Will come up with some questions pronto.

I didn't know they were being made into TV series. Who will play Brodie? Neil morrissey please?

Very much looking forward to webchat but, but ... nooooooooo! Not Neil Morrissey!

<quickly gags SixtyFootDoll and bundles her into a van>
<drives away to release her beyond the sphere of influence>

This book is very special to me as I read it at a real crisis moment in my life - and it touched so many nerves, I felt Kate was looking over my shoulder... One adorable aspect was the rucksack with list of contents - my daughter does exactly the same thing

This book is very special to me as I read it at a real crisis moment in my life - and it touched so many nerves, I felt Kate was looking over my shoulder... One adorable aspect was the rucksack with list of contents - my daughter does exactly the same thing

I am so happy to see Kate Atkinson here <waves>
hours of fun, and making me laugh like an idiot on public transport, thank you

I love the way you write mothers, unflinching and humane and very funny
BTW I am very happy happy with the choice for telly Brodie, he is fantastic

I will read the book and return for chat

Can anyone let me know whether it matters if you haven't read all the previous Brodie books. I've read the first, have the next 2 but not sure I'll be able to get through 3 books of the same ilk by 22 June. Can it be a stand alone book or should I get reading ?

oh, I have loved all the Jackson Brodie books (although Case Histories will always be my favourite, if only for the sisters. Oh, and Theo, whose story always leaves me in tears.

I adore your books Kate, have been hooked since Behind the scenes, which is one of my go-to books in any times of distress

I will re-read Started early, and try to be here for the web chat!

<excited>

Jason Isaacs is playing Brodie, what do you think to that Kate?
In my minds eye Brodie is much rougher round the edges.

I also like the fact that there are lots of strong female roles .

TV series starts next week, Jason Isaacs as JB. Yum!

I luurve Kate Atkinson, vague claim to fame re her is that she at one time lived in Whibty and I was working on the newspaper there when she won th Whitbread with Behind the Scenes...

Anyway, excited re TV series which I had missed. Case Histories in partic is one of her best. I think you need to read them all tho as there are refs to solutions of earlier ones in later ones if that makes sense.

Meant to say I really want to know if Jackson is ever going to find happiness with someone, anyone?

Binky

here

Brilliant. I bought this last week when I was in England. I will read it and post a question.
By the by, I did love behind the scenes at the museum.

I just love the way Kate writes. The plot is always secondary for me- I so enjoy her characters' interior monologues.

It was years ago that I read Behind the Scenes, but when I am unfairly bad-tempered with my children, unavailable to them and not paying attention to their frustrations, I often think of one particular scene in that book. I forget the details, but the little girl has insisted on taking her toy bike or some such on an outing and she is getting on badly with it. Her mother is very withholding of concern. Too irritable and stressed to be able to care. It sticks in my mind as a symbol of 'not being good enough', and ironically it makes me feel a bit like the little girl as well as the mother: I chose to bring the bike/have children and now I am struggling to keep up.

i liked all the other books. I lost this one and tbh i dont miss it. got halfway through.
just thought the whole THING had got too drawn out. New characters please

I love all KA's books, especially Behind The Scenes, Human Croquet, and Not The End Of The World.... but I do, pettily, get a bit annoyed with the dodgy topography of York in Behind the Scenes!

SFXmum - noooooo! Julia is all wrong! The rest of the cast look how I imagine them though. Bit scared to watch it, I love the books so much.

Started Early kept me sane at the weekend when all the East Coast train services were cancelled and it took me 5 hours to get home! Few loose ends that I am intrigued/frustrated by.

I will think of a question by and by...

Julia should be blousier than that!
And Theo is meant to be massively overweight surely?

I'm not sure I really want to join this Q&A? I've been a fan of Kate since she won the Whitbread for BtSotM. Every book she has ever written has scarily uncanny connections to me. My OH laughs his head off at me freaking out.

For the latest book I'm about a third through and have 7 strong connections, I am getting more paranoid with every book! They are always set in a city I have lived in with people of an age and disposition similar to me or a close family member and same names in some cases. Lovell Park in this latest book features in the first chapter, well I did reading to the blind in a block of flats at Lovell Park on a high floor and I had to walk up the same stairs described. How the hell is she doing this!!!!! One connection is a coincidence 7 is sending me to medication

I love KA's books especially the Jackson Brodies. I just wish she would write more quickly.

Just finished started early, a fantastic reasd with brilliant characterisation. What I love about Kates writing is that it is so descriptive, it is visual. I can picture all these people as I read them.
So sad for the children that went 'missing' and no one noticed.

"Just finished started early" is a confusing thing to say. I'll be starting late with starting early, even though I have my free copy now. I'll take my dog.

Yy I could do with some grammar there!

Yy I could do with some grammar there!

wheelybug, i've done the same as you - read Case Histories, haven't managed to read the other two yet, but am enjoying this one just as much. I don't feel I've missed anything, or that you have to have read the middle ones.

And quick reminder that anyone can ask Kate about any of her books, not just the crime ones. (Behind the Scenes one of my all-time favourites, so I'm attempting to edit down my questions down to a reasonable number...)

Behind the scenes was such a massive success. How did you cope with the pressure of following it up?
I love all of your books btw.

Thanks Tilly - I am reading hte second one at the moment as I am enjoying the tv adaptation so trying to get through them in book form before seeing them on TV. I might get through them all by 22nd, but otherwise I'll ask questions based on waht I've read so far.

I want to ask Kate if Jackson and Louise will ever get together. Properly. Please.

Only watched part of the TV series so far (recorded the rest), but I think the casting is superb. Jason Isaacs is a very broody Brodie (broody/Brodie - I'm sure that's no coincidence), and the rest of the cast are just as I imagined them, especially Sylvia Simms as Binky.

Not sure what my question is yet - will have a ponder....

am loving the TV series- in particular the wee girl playing Marley is just perfect and so funny. Not sure that natasha Little is right tho- Julis was always much more of a dippy hippy in my head - more helena Bonham Carter I think.
Jason Isaacs is a good choice as Jackson.

My question: am I being thick or did lots of hinges regarding the child not get explained? Only read once so not sure. And if not, will they be on a later book BECAUSE I REALLY REALLY WANT TO KNOW and also, did anyone else feel that Left Early was channeling Our Friends In The North?

Ooh, got my free copy, just read Case Histories then watched it on tv. I quite liked the adaptation, although I preferred the detail of the book. They had to cut out too much for tv.
Looking forward to my new read and thinking of some questions!

Just got my free copy so thanks to Transworld! Have read Case Histories and One Good Turn and started When will there be Good News? and have enjoyed them and recommended to a couple of friends.

I would like to ask if Kate has a border terrier? Her descriptions of the dog are spot on. My lovely girl is JUST like the first description we have of The Ambassador in the park. Border terriers are so clever and funny - they rock!

I absolutely adore Kate Atkinson's books, have read them all except Human Croquet which is on my wish list.

I would like to know, as the plots of her crime novels are generally so complex, to what extent she plans and plots them in advance or to what extent they evolve naturally.

Cathfin, I thought the point about the child was that lots of children in the novel disappear and no one really cares? That was my interpretation.

Started Early was the first Kate Atkinson book I had read.
The title attracted me. It still does, I don't quite know why but I just love that title.
I hadn't read any of her earlier books because I was put off by the fact that Behind the Scenes won an award. I suspected it would be too literary and worthy for my shallow tastes.

Anyway I loved this book. I found myself re-reading some little passages as they were so well constructed, for example there was one sentence involving Pandora's box, Schrödinger's cat and a can of worms.
I didn't like or get the Tilly character.
I rushed off to get the earlier books and was disappointed with one Good Turn as it was just the same formula but less witty.

I thought Tilly was a little bit indulgent too inthesticks. I thought it seemed like she was just there as a device, so that she could be at the train station at the end and help to round up all the different threads of the plot iyswim.

I loved One Good Turn (maybe because I love Edinburgh and I thought she captured the atmosphere of the city during the festival beautifully) - although I watched the tv adaptation the other night and I didn't think it did it justice - I think her plots were too complicated to be condensed into 2 hours of tv.

<averting eyes from thread for spoilers as 60% through but marking place for next week>

I'm getting a bit confused with the Tilly refs - not used to characters sharing my name...

Any more advance questions for Kate please put them here... I'll be sending to her on Monday.

See you all Weds, looking forward to it

My question has been asked already. I also wanted to know if Kate had a Border terrier or knew one well - she writes the dog so accurately

I guessed from the first scene that it must be a Border.

It sounds daft, but my favourite thing about the latest book is Jackson's relationship with the dog.

I'm normally a bit of a skim reader but I have taken more care than usual and I wondered if Kate has made Jackson more of a misogynist in Started Early. I thought his one night stand really put him in a poor light. Bath time, will come back to my question later as I havn't finished!

I've been struggling to come up with a coherant, interesting question for weeks now. I'd be a crap interviewer. All I want to do is fawn - I'm a huge fan. I love the Brodie books, I loved Behind the Scenes and I loved Human Croquet - must dig it out and re-read.

Are you happy with the dramatisations? I must say I thought Reggie was spot on; such a good actress - I hope she does well. Was it hard to see the changes that the BBC made? I'd have thought it must be difficult to see your baby relocated and tweaked and have bits abridged etc.

Kate, I wondered if you ever think about Daniel Deronda when you are writing Jackson Brodie. Maybe that's daft, but they do remind me of one another. They both seem to draw other people's sadness and need onto themselves in a striking way.

Also: thanks for writing to many strong and warm lovely women. It is nice to see a crime drama on TV in which the female parts aren't all either corpses or female police officers battered into maleness by a male police force (Prime Suspect).

Even Jackson Brodie seems female -- very masculine, but with a whole woman inside him too. Do you think of him as having feminine qualities?

Threadie - that is exactly the sort of interesting, coherant question I was trying to come up with. Damn you to hell and back.

<Wikis Daniel Deronda>

Kate, your characters are often very 'damaged' people with Jackson Brodie being no exception. He's more than a bit battered by life as are all the people he wants to help yet Jackson never seems to get the redemption he wants, despite the 'good' he does. Obviously this is why he is an interesting character but are you ever tempted to give him a 'happy' ending despite the fact that life doesn't work like that?!

Hello Kate Atkinson! I am going to be fawning like a fool here, but every word is heartfelt...
You are my favourite writer of all time. I am an avid reader and I read many different styles and writers from many different periods, but I am yet to find a writer who gets to the root of people like you do. THANK YOU for writing... It really makes a marked difference in people's lives if they're reading a good book.

My question: Did you make a concious effort, after your first three novels, to change the direction and setting of your writing? Did you feel as if you couldn't win, in a way- Write another in the same style and you'd be branded a one-trick-pony, do something different and risk alienating the people who enjoyed your existing work?
I will admit to having been really disappointed when I heard you were writing about a copper... Your writing, however, won me over, and I love your books equally.

<<removes head from Kate's bum>>

Oh yes and I'd also like to say what a bloody brilliant writer you are. I will be reading all of your books over and over again until the end of my days. Well, if you can't brown-nose your favourite author when you get the chance .....

What BellEnd said.

Thank you so much kate. Love your books. My fave is Human Croquet.
Your clever, funny, quirky, beautiful, brave writing was the perfect escapism at times in my life when I've really needed it.

Are you secretly a little bit in love with Jackson?

I am also a huge fan. Can't be here tomorrow night so am posting a question now in the hope that Kate will answer it.

Kate, I have to echo lots of others on here and say you are my absolute favourite writer. Behind the Scenes is my Desert Island Book - I have read and reread it over and over, and love it more every time. I'm also a slave to Jackson Brodie, and was nicely surprised by the tv adaptations, which I was sort of dreading but they were beautifully true to the essence of the books.

My question is a bit nerdy. Do you think Behind the Scenes is filmable? I heard someone was doing an adaptation but then nothing came of it, though that information might be out of date. I think it works brilliantly as a novel, and that the novel is the perfect medium for that story, its many layers and distinctive voice. Would you like to see it on screen?

<tries to stop self saying 'I love you, Kate!'>

<fails>

PS Do you like the West Wing?

Have so enjoyed reading your latest novel, can you tell us Kate is Courtney a boy?? Will all be revealed?

That sounds a bit mad, just thought Courtney might be a boy, was Kelly about to say, "she's not... a girl", then guessed she was one of the missing children
Jackson had seen files on.

Loved the star theme in the book, Courtney singing Twinkle,Twinkle and the title of book, i love Emily Dickinson.

I am here to fawn a bit too! I love your writing and all your books, although my question is - are you stalking me?
I was living in York when Behind the Scenes at the Museum came out. Then moved to Cambourne near Cambridge (where Jackson's ex lives for a bit) and now in Cambridge itself. I am from West Yorkshire originally so know Leeds really well too. The only place I can't really lay any claim to is Edinburgh (although I do have very close friends there so know it quite well)

Knowing the places well has made the books all the more enjoyable!

Oh, Oh, oh - I'm at a preschool commitee meeting tonight from 8 Maybe I'll pull a sicky?
I love the characters - they are so well drawn. i waas a little suspicious of case histories as it was a new style but I lvoe and re-read them all.

I'm reading this book as my first Jackson Brodie and intend to read the previous. The first book of yours I read was Behind the Scenes at the Museum which was a fantastic read. Since the last few books seem to have been Jackson Brodie based, are you intending at any point to go back to the stand-alone novels?

Will Jackson ever be involved in a normal, functional relationship and be happy with it? I get the impression that he's too much of a Romantic to cope with the mundane realities of relationship and living with some one.

I was so cross at the end of Started Early that it wasn't all resolved, can't bear to leave them in limbo, when is the next book? Don't know about Kate being in love with Jackson, I certainly am. Also loved the dog.

The theme of lost girl children recurs and grows in each book. I wonder where we are going? Can you tell us?

Never done this before. Do we just hang about on this thread and wait for Kate to be here?
So excited!

Have failed to put children to bed yet.

But have to say how much I love Kate Atkinson's books and really enjoyed the talk at York library recently

Evening everyone

I'm thrilled to introduce our immensely talented June Author of the Month, Kate Atkinson. Ever since Bookclub first started, three years ago, armies of Mumsnetters have clamoured for a webchat with Kate, as well as recommending and raving about her consistently excellent novels.

So without further ado (and with much, much pleasure)...

Kate, firstly, thank you very much indeed to taking the time to join us. And congratulations on another bestseller, and on such a gripping, addictive series of books. Perhaps we could kick off with the advance questions from further up the thread? And then we'll aim to get through as many as possible over the next hour.

I'd also like to add two questions:

Which childhood book most inspired you?

What would be the first piece of advice you would give anyone attempting to write fiction?

Just got a message from Kate's publicist to say they are in a hotel room and finding it difficult to get a connection - hopefully we'll have Kate here very soon but there might be a bit of a delay...

hi kate (hopefully you make it on). i've just recently discovered you as an author - i make the mistake of watching the tv adaptions of the books - i got a bit annoyed when they weren't exactly true to the story. do you have much input to the televised versions? though i do like places i know/travel to every day being used in TV programmes - the back road at bo'ness (where Brodie's car broke down) and all the edinburgh sights.

Hello, just wanted to say Behind the Scenes at the Museum is one of the nest books I have ever read - I am always recommending it to people. Particularly resonant for parents, I think.

Love the Jackson Brodie books although I have not read them all yet. Am very intrigued by Tracy Waterhouse - will we see her again?

best, sorry!

Have you met Jason Isaacs, Kate - and is he a dish or, as I suspect, maybe a bit too fond of himself?

Hello Kate (and publicist). Were you happy with Case Histories on TV? Were you consulted about the casting?
Thanks

Can I also ask why you switched to writing crime (do you consider yourself a crime writer)? Which other crime writers do you enjoy reading?

Hi Kate, are we going to read more about Tracy Waterhouse? in the future.? She's such a strong female character I became more interested in her story than in Jackson and I've been a big fan of his since the first book.

Just flagging up the questions from threadworm8, peggoty, BelleEnd, Thatlldopig and CJ Cregg further up thread (starting 20 June) - apologies if you're already onto them...

Sorry Kate, just read previous posts and realised you had answered that one!
Please would you tell us how you discipline yourself to write? I keep reading that many writers have set hours in the day when they knuckle down to work but it must be difficult to be creative to order?

Hi Kate. I keep trying to have a go at writing "for fun", I find it quite easy once I start to keep on writing for a while, but all my ideas run out of steam too quickly so I'm struggling to come up with a basic plot to keep me going - any tips?! From what you've said up-thread I'm guessing you tend to allow the plot to lead you, rather than planning it all out in advance?

Does your writing generally flow or is it frustrating? How disciplined are you with it?
Have you been on MN before?

Hello Kate - I have literally just finished Started Early Took My Dog (5 minutes ago) googled you, got your website, saw you were on Mumsnet and here I am, a british ex pat, recently moved to New Jersey, USA to tell you immediately what an extraordinary book it is, (I love all your stuff) how it's the best yet, how, I couldn't put it down, how I wanted to cheer for Tracy and "KID" all the way through, how your themes of loss and hope are ever present and exquisitely told through such a gripping story and how that Emily Dickinson poem at the end had me in tears (I lost my 15 month old daughter 3 years ago to a cot death and that poem is my talisman of light) Keep up the outstanding work. Come to the USA soon please and in the meantime I am hoping one of my friends will send me the Case Histories DVD! Eleanor xxxx

Ha! I liked Reggie and I liked Jackson (I had thought of Jackson as older when I read the books but it worked). I didn't like Martin so much.

Hello Kate, I like your books, that is all

Oh go on then, a question - who else (female) writes like you or is someone you'd recommend to read?

Is there another Javkson Brodie novel bing written? I do hope so

Hi Kate, I love your writing!

I was wondering if you feel that male writers, in general, are taken more seriously. And if you've ever been tempted to write under another name!

Yes, THe Bloody Chamber is one of Carters books that I can return to, along with Wise Children - I thought there was definately a whiff of magic realism in your Not THe End of the World short stories. ( I have a signed copy of that! <proud>)

Just to say there's still time for more questions: Kate has v kindly said she'll carry on till 9.15 to make up for our delayed start...

And if there is time, just another quick reminder that there are a few questions further up the board that would love to be answered..

Just wanted to say that I love, love, love your books, I'm totally in love with Jackson Brodie, and I think it is marvellous that there are so many wonderful, strong female characters in your books.

Q: When will there be good news seemed to me on reading and definitely in the tv adaptation to be much darker and less humorous than the other 3. Were you getting a little bored of being stuck in genre?

Can you give us a little hint about what the book you are currently writing is like (I'm guessing you might not want to but I have to ask!) Or even when it may be finished?

Will Started early, Took My Dog be on TV sometime?

OMG KATE ATKINSON answered my question! How bloody brilliant is that!

Kate, if we've got time, would love answer to this one:

CJ Cregg: My question is a bit nerdy. Do you think Behind the Scenes is filmable? I heard someone was doing an adaptation but then nothing came of it, though that information might be out of date. I think it works brilliantly as a novel, and that the novel is the perfect medium for that story, its many layers and distinctive voice. Would you like to see it on screen?

and to my two (sorry, elbowing in there, but we're trying to research best children's books recommended by authors and also a creative writing tips-list...)

What childhood book most inspired you

What woudl be your first bit of advice to anyoen attempting to write fiction?

Do you feel that, having seen your work on tv, this will influence your future writing?

Sorry, crossed posts there. Thanks for answering. I can't wait to read Just William to my three boys.

Tilly says you'll tell us of your experiences of motherhood! Has it changed your writing?

aw, bye and thank you!

I think we'll have to draw to a close there, although I know many of us could easily keep chatting all night. Thanks to everyone for all the questions and many apologies to anyone who wasn't answered.

Kate, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us this evening. It has been such an honour and pleasure to have you here. And thank you too for all the glorious books.

Good luck with the War one, and please come again when it's published... can't wait to read it.

Many thanks again.

<weeps, tears clothes>

Kate didn't answer my question . Thanks, Tilly, for trying to push it though .

Maybe next time ...

wow, really in depth answers from kate there