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Come and chat to Ian McEwan about his exceptional career and acclaimed novels, including his latest, The Children Act on MONDAY 1 JUNE, 9-10pm

7 replies

TillyMumsnetBookClub · 24/04/2015 13:57

Our May author Ian McEwan is one of Britain's most outstanding, successful and acclaimed novelists, winning multiple awards over his long career. His subtle, unshowy and precise style is perfectly suited to his meticulously researched subjects - from brain surgery in Saturday to MI5 in Sweet Tooth.

In his pacy, gripping new novel, The Children Act, McEwan deftly investigates the legal system through his protagonist Fiona Maye, a High Court judge. When her husband Jack asks for her permission to have an affair, Fiona buries herself in her work in the family courts as a counterbalance to her crumbling personal life. But when an emergency case involving a young Jehovah's Witness boy comes up, Fiona's emotional involvement with him leads to disturbance but also self-knowledge, across both her public and private life.

You can find out more on our book of the month page, and find information covering McEwan's stellar career on his website.

Vintage have 50 copies of THE CHILDREN ACT to give to Mumsnetters: to claim your copy please go to the book of the month page. If you're not lucky enough to bag one of those, you can always get a Kindle version here or paperback here.

We are absolutely thrilled and honoured that Ian will be joining us on Monday 1st June, 9-10pm to discuss THE CHILDREN ACT, his writing life, his many award-winning novels plus much more. Please feel free to discuss the book here throughout the month and then come and meet Ian on the night, ask him a question about any of his novels or simply tell him what you thought of his latest book. Look forward to seeing you on the 1st.

Come and chat to Ian McEwan about his exceptional career and acclaimed novels, including his latest, The Children Act on MONDAY 1 JUNE, 9-10pm

TillyMumsnetBookClub · 29/04/2015 13:49

How wonderful to see so many posts already. I'm thrilled that Ian McEwan is coming onto Mumsnet, and am struggling to pick just one question out of the hundreds I'd like to ask him.

Hope copies get out to you all safely and looking forward to seeing you all on Monday 1 June.

RachelMumsnet · 06/05/2015 09:45

The book giveaway is now closed. We'll be informing the people who have been allocated copies by the end of the day by email. If you've not been successful then do order up a copy and read ahead of the webchat with Ian on 1st June.

TillyMumsnetBookClub · 22/05/2015 22:04

Wonderful to see so many posts and questions here already. I'm looking forward to this chat immensely.

Just a reminder that if you can't make the chat on the night, do put your question up here beforehand.

Hope to see you all on Monday 1st...

TillyMumsnetBookClub · 01/06/2015 21:00

Evening everyone

Firstly, thank you to all those who have posted their reviews and opinions so far - you have already led the discussion in all sorts of different directions.

I am delighted and immensely honoured to welcome Ian McEwan, one of Britain’s most acclaimed writers and winner of an extraordinary amount of awards, to Bookclub this evening. Ian's intelligent and perfectly crafted novels have been at the forefront of our literary culture for decades, and I can't wait to discuss them all this evening.

Ian, thank you very, very much indeed for giving us your time tonight and congratulations on THE CHILDREN ACT, a superbly written and deeply thought-provoking story.

We've already got a fair few questions to get through so I'll just add the standard Mumsnet ones that we like to ask all our authors...

What childhood book most inspired you?

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

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

And the best you’ve received?

Over to you...

TillyMumsnetBookClub · 01/06/2015 21:24

That is one of the most beguiling descriptions of a childhood book we've ever had. I have immediately ordered The Gauntlet for my history-mad 8 year old.

On which subject (tangentially), I'd like to know if you feel driven to write about contemporary life, and specifically examine current issues? I think of you as a very contemporary writer (Atonement being the main exception) and I wondered if you felt it was a writer's duty to focus on the here and now?

TillyMumsnetBookClub · 01/06/2015 21:47

whatwoulddexterdo, I was going to ask the same thing - I'm really interested in Fiona's motivation for the kiss as I couldn't see it coming at ALL.
(fingers crossed there's time to get the answer to this one)

TillyMumsnetBookClub · 01/06/2015 22:03

I'm deeply sorry to say we have run out of time. Thank you to everyone for taking part tonight, and for all your thoughtful and considered comments. It has been a wonderful, insightful discussion.

Ian, you have been truly generous in your replies and managed to get through a vast number of messages. Thank you very, very much indeed for giving us your time tonight, and for answering our questions with such care.

Most intriguing to hear you are 'writing something very different' - we're looking forward to reading it soon.

Good luck with all the future films and projects and many thanks once more.

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