Come and chat to Maria Semple, author of the Women's Prize for Fiction-shortlisted WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE, Tues 24 Sept, 9-10pm

[TillyBookClub]

Our September Book of the Month is wonderfully eccentric, both for the way it is written (a jigsaw of emails, letters, official documents, police reports, and many other sources) and for the heroine, whose take on the world is highly unusual.

Shortlisted for the 2013 Women's Fiction Prize, WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE is a suspense story, as clever teenager Bee tries to track down her missing mother, the notorious Bernadette. Bernadette's dry humour and unorthodox methods create drama wherever she goes, as does her unconcern about being disliked.

The novel's wit and refreshing comedy (the author is regular writer for Saturday Night Live and other hit US shows) make it a perfect piece of intelligent escapism. As Jonathan Franzen put it, 'I tore through this book with heedless pleasure'. A caustic satire on modern life, parenting, social interaction and the American Dream.

Orion have 50 copies to give to Mumsnetters - to claim yours please go to the book of the month page. We'll post on the thread when all the copies have gone. If you're not lucky enough to bag one of the free books, you can always get your paperback or Kindle version here.

We are thrilled that Maria will be joining us and answering questions about WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE, her writing career and her creative inspiration on Tuesday 24 September. So please feel free to discuss the book throughout the month, pop up any advance questions and we will see you all here, Tue 24 September, 9-10pm.

[MariaSemple]

@Gargamella

What fun (as Miranda's mum would say). Really enjoyed this.

So, Maria, if you feel you can answer this without getting into too much bother, how many real life gnats did you draw inspiration from to come up with the Galer crew? Was that some form of therapy to get you through school gate sessions? After the summer break, I need to re-learn a bit of tolerance but unfortunately I'm now thinking that if Bernadette got away with her stance then maybe not....

Hello, Gargamella. (Hey, I'm starting to think you're all using fake names.)
So the Galer Street gnats was a part of the book that was entirely made up. I realized I needed Bernadette to have an enemy, for dramatic purposes. I went through my options and I realized I didn’t have many, mainly because Bernadette was a shut-in who had no job and didn’t come into contact with many people. So the logical place for her to come into contact with people (or not!) was school. I still find myself challenged by the amount of volunteering they expect me to do! So I just ran with it. If you’re interested, all the mothers at my daughter’s school love the book. They’re very proud one of the moms wrote it.

[MariaSemple]

@Hullygully

I love the dad. And the mum. And I love their relationship. I want to be their friend and go to Alaska with them.

I'm glad. I was worried most of you hated Elgie. I love him, too!

[MariaSemple]

@ktlq

I got such a kick when I saw my copy of Where'd You Go Bernadette on the doormat - thanks so much!

I thought Bernadette totally embodied the identity crisis which mums can face upon having a baby - the whole work v home life split. The idea that becoming a mum will stunt your career & bring your creativity to a halt really resonated with me unfortunately! I like the way this is resolved however as it gives hope to those still in early years of parenthood...!

I particularly liked the school gate clashes, the Antartica scenes and the cruise ship, yet it felt the last part of the book had even more to offer. Email/epistolry text is hard to digest but something different and actually enjoyable once you get into it. Maria Semple quotes English Passengers as a favourite novel for this and she's right, it's a marvellous book and laugh-out-loud from what I remember. Look forward to the book discussion online!

Thanks again :-))

Yay! Let's all read ENGLISH PASSENGERS. It's fabulous.

[MariaSemple]

@ktlq

My question for Maria: Like Bernadette, did you feel challenged creatively when you became a mother or did you find it easy to switch from work to being mum?
Also, how did the inspiration for the lead character's name come about? Have you visited Lourdes? Many thanks :-)

I was really unprepared for motherhood, I must say. I had no idea how challenging it would be. I suffered from post-partum depression. Its what my first book, THIS ONE IS MINE, is really about, deep-down. The idea that you finally have this thing you wanted so badly, yet it destroys you (to put it harshly!) But in some weird way, I dont think I could have become a novelist if I wasnt a mother. When I was away from my baby, my time was so precious that I made the most of it. I think thats why Im such a fast writer, and why my concentration is so fierce.

And no, Ive never been to Lourdes. Id love to. The name just popped into my head. I wanted a messy name with a lot of syllables, for a messy woman!

[MariaSemple]

@isleangel

Finally got the book read. I must say that it wasn't a book I would normally pick, and it didn't really hold my interest at the start, but I decided to give it a chance and really got into it around after 100 pages.

I really liked the way it was written and my question to Maria would be 'Did she have a set pattern when writing ie. did she write all the characters emails individually and then split them up, or did the order just develop as she wrote the book?'

Hi Isleangel. I love hearing that I won over a skeptic! I wrote the book chronologically. With each story point, I had to figure out who was telling the story, who they were telling it to, and why they were telling it. It was a challenge, but hugely fun, like three dimensional chess. Which would imply that I’ve played three dimensional chess. Or one dimensional chess for that matter. Nope, neither.
But thanks for the question!

[MariaSemple]

@Clawdy

I loved the title before I read the book - then I loved the book! Funny,different and characters I grew to like so much. It would make an interesting,quirky film,and my question to Maria is: Who would you like to see as Bernadette? I thought maybe Annette Bening.....

I can see so many different actresses in the part. In fact, I’m writing the screenplay now. And I don’t picture any one actress. But wow, do I love Annette Bening! Great idea, Clawdy.

[MariaSemple]

@Picturesinthefirelight

I borrowed this book from the library and really enjoyed it. I found it easy to read. Some books that jump about from character to character can be confusing but the different writing styles of the characters came through very well and it all slotted together so well.

I did get a bit exasperated with Bernadette though. Was the reader meant to?

@Picturesinthefirelight

I borrowed this book from the library and really enjoyed it. I found it easy to read. Some books that jump about from character to character can be confusing but the different writing styles of the characters came through very well and it all slotted together so well.

I did get a bit exasperated with Bernadette though. Was the reader meant to?

As I mentioned earlier, even thought Bernadette was based on me, even I couldn't take her at times. She's a really strong, crazy, self-pitying, semi-delusional, irresponsible person!

I wanted to push her and the reader right to the edge. I think it’s a thrilling experience as a reader to keep shifting my opinions of a character. So I try to do that with my writing. In some cases, I push it too far and someone (you!) doesn’t like a character.

[MariaSemple]

@Cantdothisagain

I wouldn't have picked this book up because the title sounds too slangy somehow. But I really enjoyed it- thank you! I admit I find many modern epistolary novels have a jerky or fake style yet this one struck a raw note through the humour. Thank you Maria. I think I'm probably too late to ask a question but I will anyway - you cite Laclos as an inspiration, but you are much less critical and more generous in your characterisations. Will your next work be written in a similar form, or would you revert to a first person or third person narrative? Much of the charm here lies in the multiple voices, I thought, and I would love to read more- have you considered a sequel, or would that ruin the neatness of the ending?

Hi Cantdothisagain. (I hope that doesn't refer to reading my book.) No, I don't think I'll write a sequel. Although in the screenplay for the book I just finished, I do go into the future a bit, to show what's become of everyone.

As for the next book. This book, Bernadette, became an epistolary novel after an attempt at first person, then third person. So, really, the book dictated the form and point of view. It was a tough nut to crack, but when I did, I was really happy to have found it. I’m not sure about the next book. I’m thinking more traditional third person, but it could be anything. I’ll figure it out once I start writing.

[MariaSemple]

@Thisisaeuphemism

I loved this book. I loved the whole family. I found it amusing, sweet and true.

Aww, thank you!

[BetsyBidwell]

I agree title almost put me off - and the cover. but loved

[MariaSemple]

@BishBashBoshBoo

I absolutely loved this book. It's the best thing I've read this year.

Are the consequences of life overwhelming Bernadette to prevent her creativity something you have experienced?

The book helped me to identify that this may be one of the causes of my (physical) illness,

Thank you so much. Yes! When I was in the grip of feeling like a failure, I could barely get through my day and I was to full of self-pity to write. But I bounced back and wrote a book about it. I feel so humbled that so many people can relate to this type of pain, and that they're able to laugh with me.

[MariaSemple]

@KikkiK

I loved this book! I'm a big fan of epistolary novels in general and this is one of the best I've read. It prompted me to download Abbey Road too!
Can we still post questions for Maria? If so, I'd like to know if you decided Bernadette should go to Antarctica before you took a trip there yourself, or if you set part of the novel there because you'd been there?
And, what are you working on now? Very much looking forward to the next book. Thanks for coming on and chatting to us.

Thank you, KikiK. I had just started the book—I knew I had a character in Bernadette and was starting to build her family. We’d had a long-planned trip to Antarctica and were leaving in a month. So I thought I’d point my family in the direction of Antarctica and go there and see if I could think of some way to work it in. At the very least, it would be original, right, because how many people get to go there? Like Bernadette, I fell in love with the place.

I’m currently writing the screenplay for the Bernadette movie. I’ve got some terrific producers (who produces The Hunger Games) and a wonderful studio (Zero Dark Thirty, The Master) and hopefully if this script is goo, we can hire a director and actress and get this baby made!

[MabelMay]

Which do you prefer now: Seattle or LA? (I am a Londoner currently living in LA and feel like it's an incredibly dysfunctional city!)

[MabelMay]

By the way, I thought the book was great!

[MariaSemple]

@twinteresting

Ooh Am I allowed a second question?
Was being a comedy writer in LA anything like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip at all?!?!

I loved that show-- it only lasted one season, right? Yes, it's pretty much like that. It's a huge amount of fun, craziness, long hours and camaraderie. I much prefer writing novels because my time is my own. But I miss driving into work and having my main objective be trying to make other people laugh.

[TillyBookClub]

I'm going to sneak another question in (only answer if there's time).

Which contemporary writers do you rate highly?

[Gargamella]

Just had to jump in to say I also adored Harriet the Spy. Must have read it dozens of times. And haven't heard it mentioned by anyone else for so long.

[MariaSemple]

@twinteresting

Hello Maria
I loved this book - couldn't stop reading it - thank you. I enjoyed the changes in narrative and the differing ways of telling the story (though I think confess to raising a cynical eyebrow at the Microsoft SuperGuy Elgie allowing his laptop battery to run out on a plane
The one thing that really stuck with me is Bernadette's words to Bee about being bored and that only boring people get bored.

"You think its boring now? Well, it only gets more boring. THe sooner you learn it's ON YOU to make life interesting, the better off you'll be."

My children are young-ish (5 and a half and nearly 3) so as yet I haven't had that "mummeeeee I'm bored!" moment but I will v much be planning to quote that back at them when they do.

Did someone say that to you when you were younger?

Nobody said that to me, but when I was in a mother-baby class, a teacher said something to that effect: that as mothers we always feel like we need to entertain our babies and toddlers. She asked, what's the endgame? At some point you won't be able to entertain them and then they won't be able to entertain themselves. The greatest gift you can give your child, she said, was the ability to tolerate boredom. That really clicked with me and I've said it many times.

[MariaSemple]

@Gargamella

Just had to jump in to say I also adored Harriet the Spy. Must have read it dozens of times. And haven't heard it mentioned by anyone else for so long.

I'm so glad! I wasn't sure if anyone in the UK knows about it. But most people here, of a certain age, have read it.

[MariaSemple]

@MabelMay

Which do you prefer now: Seattle or LA? (I am a Londoner currently living in LA and feel like it's an incredibly dysfunctional city!)

MayMay, I must prefer Seattle now. LA is tough. I feel for you!

[twinteresting]

I love love love Harriet the Spy
Must send to my god daughter actually - I only have 2 boys and not sure theyd be into it.

[MariaSemple]

@BetsyBidwell

I agree title almost put me off - and the cover. but loved

Betsy, Isn't that funny about the cover. I love the cover, and think we get a lot of readers because of the fabulous cover. I'm glad you were able to look past it!

[twinteresting]

Wow Maria
Thanks for answering my question - DH and I both agree that it sounds like a great job.

[jongleuse]

So sorry I'm late to the party, but wondered if Maria saw all the plaudits and her Women's Prize for Fiction shortlisting as a riposte to that 'women writers get pigeonholed as mommyfic if they write domestic while Franzen and his ilk get ALL the prizes' stuff.
Not very clear as a question, more of a whaddya think?
BTW loved the book and recommended to many.

[Gargamella]

any inkling yet of when the movie is likely to come out?