Come and meet HELEN MACDONALD, author of Costa Book of the Year H IS FOR HAWK, on Thurs 30 April, 9-10pm

[TillyMumsnetBookClub]

Our April choice is a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable book. H IS FOR HAWK has won the Samuel Johnson Prize, the overall Costa prize and has had many Mumsnetters in rhapsodies: ‘This is quite an extraordinary book. Even if you don't know anything about hawks, or think that you wouldn't like a book about them, still read this - it is so good’ (DuchessofMalfi); ‘Really one of its own… So unique and powerful’ (mytartanscarf). A hybrid of memoir, nature-writing and biography, it is written in the most beautiful and moving prose. Helen MacDonald fell in love with hawks as a little girl and trained them throughout her life. Following the sudden death of her beloved father, she decides to train a goshawk, famous for its tricky nature. MacDonald’s honesty, fierce intelligence and raw emotion make her subject completely captivating. A truly remarkable book about death, love, memory, landscape and human frailty.

You can find out more on our book of the month page, and follow Helen on her excellent and very funny Twitter feed

Vintage have 50 copies of H IS FOR HAWK to give to Mumsnetters: to claim your copy please go to the book of the month page before 9am on Monday 23 March. If you’re not lucky enough to bag one of those, you can always get a Kindle version here or paperback here

We are delighted that Helen will be joining us on Thursday 30th April, 9-10pm to discuss H IS FOR HAWK, her writing career plus much more. Please feel free to discuss the book here throughout the month and then come and meet Helen on the night, and ask her a question or simply tell her what you thought of the book. Look forward to seeing you on the 30th.

@whatwoulddexterdo

Hi Helen, Thanks so much for coming to Mumsnet to talk about your book. One of the great things about this book club is that it takes me out of my comfort zone and challenges me to read and finish books that I would never have chosen myself. I am an avid reader but never non fiction and I must admit that I didn't realise this was a true story until I had finished it and read the reviews. Your writing is gorgeous, I am in awe of your talent. Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy T H Whites story. I found it difficult to relate to and it seemed more like a textbook. However, your description of your grief and desire to channel your energy into Mabel was inspiring. My question to you is will you write another book or concentrate on your poetry? Good luck with whatever you choose. Ps I hadn't realised that Mabel had died. I have had a few tears!

Another book, certainly. Probably not poetry for a while. Maybe at some point! Thank you for your input, I do understand why the White story didn't appeal to you, and yes, Mabel's passing was a real blow.

Thank you for answering my question - it makes perfect sense. It is an extraordinarily brave and truthful voice. I'm still staggered by it. I think that is why your book is so powerful: it maintains that intense honesty.

Only 5 minutes left, it is going far too quickly...

@CoddledAsAMommet

Your obsession with falconry at such a young age is fascinating. I have four children so have been around many young people and have never seen anything like it, for any subject! Do you feel you have an addictive personality generally, and do you have an explanation for why you were so obsessed? ( I think it's the obsession I find interesting, not that it was for falconry specifically.)

Hmm. Maybe! My dad was obsessed with aircraft and aviation. Maybe I picked it up from him, only translated into birds. Or maybe there was some weird genetic quirk that we both shared that made us quiet obsessives? I don't know. I'm tempted to think it's the former. I don't think I have an addictive personality, although there was a bit of an incident with Candy Crush a couple of years ago....

@MairzyDoats

No questions here - although am enjoying reading everyone else's (and your answers) but I just wanted to add my voice to all the others and say how wonderful I found your book and how it has enriched my year. It's the best thing I have read in a very, very long time.

Thank you so much x

@barricade

Really interesting reading your replies to all the questions. I've got another one. But since I asked a 'deep' question earlier, I think I'll go for a 'light and frothy' one this time ...

QUESTION:- Congratulations on receiving the 'Costa Book Of The Year' award (as well as the Samuel Johnson prize). The question is: Are you an avid coffee drinker?

Oh god yes. I just said I didn't have an addictive personality. OK strike that. Coffee. Huge black americanos, every morning. Necessary writer food.

Just wanted to say thank you for all of your great responses. Reading this book has made me look at perception & how we interact with nature and out surroundings. I will save this book for my son to read, as I feel he will really appreciate it in a few years time - it is the sort of book that I could envisage being on an A level reading list. Well done and I look forward to reading the next one!!

@paulasmith

I can tell from the way you write about Mabel, how much you cared for her and your passion. Do you still train birds of prey?

I will do. I've been a falconer on and off since I was very young. It's the most marvellous and enlightened relationship with an animal, very ancient, very extraordinary, and I love that the birds fly completely free - there's no coercion or cages in falconry (though they're tethered to perches at home, I have ornaments around the house and goshawks are very messy!)

Really enjoying this session although I could ask questions all night. Must sit on my hands.

Thank you Helen.

Sadly our time is up...It has been such a rewarding evening, thank you everyone for your perceptive comments and questions.

Helen, you have been so generous and thoughtful with your answers, and - as with your book - written with wit and honesty and insight. Thank you so much for giving us your time and energy. Good luck with the next project - we will be waiting avidly to see what you do next.

(And one let cheeky question: is there is a H is for Hawk film in the wings? Any idea who might play you? I'm thinking Cumberbatch for the TH White bits)

Many thanks again on your remarkable, beautiful book.

@yUMMYmUMMYb

Helen, so sorry for the loss of your Dad. I can't ever imagine writing so openly about something so personal. I felt really connected to this book in a way that i find difficult to explain. It is beautifully written and engaging in a subtle way. At first i thought it would be so far removed from my own personal experiences that i wouldnt read it all, but from the first page it draws you in and keeps you there without feeling like you are intruding.

Can i ask about your process of writing - are you an early morning / late night writer. Do you use pen and paper or computer.

Thank you Helen, a great testament to your Father and his influence on you

Thank you so much! I'm very glad you liked the book. I am a morning and evening writer - have a bit of a lull between 2 and 5 (yes, I do take naps if I can!). I use a macbook computer. I used to write longhand, and sometimes if things are not working on screen I'll go and sit down with a notebook and write with a pen. I'm sure the kinds of thoughts you have are different when you write longhand, and sometimes that can bring all sorts of new things to bear on what you're writing. Main writer's prop: coffee. I write a lot in cafes. I like the noise and life around me. It can get lonely at home.

@TillyMumsnetBookClub

Sadly our time is up...It has been such a rewarding evening, thank you everyone for your perceptive comments and questions.

Helen, you have been so generous and thoughtful with your answers, and - as with your book - written with wit and honesty and insight. Thank you so much for giving us your time and energy. Good luck with the next project - we will be waiting avidly to see what you do next.

(And one let cheeky question: is there is a H is for Hawk film in the wings? Any idea who might play you? I'm thinking Cumberbatch for the TH White bits)

Many thanks again on your remarkable, beautiful book.

Ohhhh I am so sorry, that went past very quickly. I'm really sorry that I didn't get to answer everyone's questions. Thank you so much for asking them, you are an amazing bunch of people. I hope I can come back another time!

As for that question: YES THERE IS! I am happy to announce that Lena Headey, from Game of Thrones, has just optioned the book for a film. The thought that I might be played by the evil queen from Game of Thrones is completely brilliant! She is an amazing actor and really, really gets the book on a deep level. So happy about this.

WELL... goodnight folks, thank you so much. Hugs x

Thank you for the answers this evening and for such a beautiful book. I look forward to your next one.

Ha, ha! Thank you for your quirky answer to my last question, Helen.

A FINAL QUESTION (not sure you'll have time, but here goes):- Reading all the questions tonight, it's dawned on me how much you must be bombarded with similar questions about your tragic double loss throughout your book tour. You mentioned above how "it's safe", and you did say "I'd learned some things about life and death that year. That we are only on the world for a while and then we are gone. I think I'd reconciled myself to that" ..... but are old wounds just being opened up again? Do you go home emotionally drained these days?

It has been a pleasure reading your thoughtful answers. Thank you

Thank you, Mumsnet, for the opportunity to join this discussion tonight. And, of course, sincere thanks, Helen, for your gracious replies to our questions. Wish you the very best of luck with your future 'productions'.

Barricade

Whoah, I didn't expect that.. But actually rather fitting, Game of Thrones actress with goshawk on her arm...Delighted that it'll be on screen and looking forward to seeing adaptation.

Goodnight and many thanks x

Thank you Helen for your answers - and fantastic news about the possible film! Best of luck with it and with your future writing.

I missed last night, sadly, but just read this through, and it was clearly a fantastic web chat. Thank you, Helen (if you come back)! Sad to hear about Mabel, though.

Thank you so much for the copy of "H is for Hawk", and sorry it's taken so long to post a review. Once I had the chance to get started, I really enjoyed this book and have been recommending it right, left and centre. Way back when I first saw reviews, I was wary about the combination of training a goshawk, coping with bereavement and tracing the life of TH White. In practice I found the details about training Mabel fascinating, loved the detail, and really appreciated the beautifully written prose (and I'm not usually one for lyrical descriptions of landscapes). I'm struggling to find the words, but it was visceral and raw and very honest and now I want to read it all over again.