June book of the month: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. Chat to the author on Tuesday 27 June, 9-10pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce our June Book of the month will be Ann Patchett's latest novel Commonwealth. We gave away 50 copies and Ann will be joining us for a webchat at the end of June to discuss the book (date tbc).

Many readers will be familiar with Ann's previous novels which include the brilliant and award winning Bel Canto and much acclaimed novel State of Wonder. In her latest book she masterfully weaves together the story of a fractured and dysfunctional family, sweeping generations and spanning the width of the USA. Sharply observed, funny, tragic and evocative, Commonwealth proves that Ann Patchett is one of the most versatile novelists of our generation.

Find out more about the book and feel free to post up your thoughts about the book and questions for Ann on this thread. We'll post as soon as have a date scheduled for the webchat.

Buy the book from £2.84

Hi Ann,

Firstly, I want to apologise as I've not had time to finish this book yet (I have a 5 month old who demands all my attention - how rude!) and I am trying to avoid any spoilers!!

I am loving this book so far. I am finding it really easy to read and connect with the characters. Although so far I don't really like Bert or Beverley. I don't get why he has so many children when he's not really interested in them.

I'm just going to ask random questions if thats ok, as I really don't want to spoil the book!

So, when your not writing what do you like to do? Are you currently writing a new book or do you take a break once you finish writing?

So I think @MerryPam and I need to know if you've ever rescued any lobsters?!

One final question from me - I was shocked when Teresa died. I was expecting Fix and the girls to have rescued her from herself. Did you consider having a happier outcome for her or were you always clear that she was going to die in the hospital? I didn't know whether to feel happy that she had people who cared about her showing up (and Albie on his way) or sad that she didn't just die at home as per her plan!

Can we put to you our standard Mumsnet Qs that we ask all our book of the month authors?

What was your favourite childhood book?

What was the last book you bought someone as a gift?

And finally - can you describe to us the room where you wrote Commonwealth?

@FernieB

Thanks Ann. I loved that you set the story over a long period too. I wondered if being labelled as 'the difficult one' by the children and adults made Albie grow up the way he did - being so unsettled for so long. There were references to labels applied to the other characters - the clever girl who was expected to succeed (and did so), the capable mother who was expected to care for and entertain all the children. It made me think about the labels we apply to people - do we label them because that's how they are, or do they conform to the label they're given. Was this something you intended to explore?

I do think we get assigned to certain roles early on. Maybe we lean towards them at first but then we get stuck. When I was growing up my sister was the smart one and the angry one. I was the sweet one and the creative one. My sister was good at languages so I never tried that. I was good at art so my sister didn't try that. But now I see how talented my sister is! I think she was angry for both of us, and I think I was sweet for both of us. I do think this problem is pretty universal.

@RachelMumsnet

Can we put to you our standard Mumsnet Qs that we ask all our book of the month authors?

What was your favourite childhood book?

What was the last book you bought someone as a gift?

And finally - can you describe to us the room where you wrote Commonwealth?

Sure thing (hi, Rachel!)

Favorite childhood book - Charlotte's Web. I got a pig for my ninth birthday. I was obsessed with pigs, and so became a vegetarian.

David Sedaris was just at my bookstore (I own a bookstore in Nashville, Parnassus Books) so I bought a bunch of copies of THEFT BY FINDING and had them signed for people. I'm a huge Sedaris fan but this one is my favorite.

I wrote most of Commonwealth in the room I'm in right now. It's a smallish bedroom turned into an office, very nice, built in bookshelves, a couch, a dog bed, second story, a nice view of trees in the backyard.

It seemed that Fix was the one who objected the most to Leon's novel, as despite his initial wish to see a handsome Hollywood actor playing his younger self, he couldn't stay in the cinema. The blurb on the back suggested that this would be the main focus of the novel, but I found that it was much more of an exploration of sibling relationships and families over time. I also liked how Franny still got on with Bert at the end of the novel and how she was still friends with Albie.

The children certainly had a free-range childhood - did you have similar freedoms (presumably not involving guns and Benadryl?)

@bellabelly

So I think *@MerryPam* and I need to know if you've ever rescued any lobsters?!

One final question from me - I was shocked when Teresa died. I was expecting Fix and the girls to have rescued her from herself. Did you consider having a happier outcome for her or were you always clear that she was going to die in the hospital? I didn't know whether to feel happy that she had people who cared about her showing up (and Albie on his way) or sad that she didn't just die at home as per her plan!

I fantasize about rescuing lobsters every time I go the the market, but Nashville is nowhere near the ocean. Poor lobsters!! That's why it's so great to be a novelist, you can rescue the lobsters.

It was shocking when Teresa died. That's why I brought her back in the next chapter. Another good thing about being a novelist.

Thank you, Ann, that's really intriguing to hear that you polish your chapters as you go along. I was interested in Reastie's question (earlier in thread) about characters developing as you write, but my bet is that you know exactly where you're going before you start writing, and that's why no words are wasted. Have I guessed right?

Hi Ann, thanks for coming along! I really enjoyed Commonwealth and have recommended it to lots of people. I love stories of intertwined lives and dysfunctional families and complex people, but what really stood out were these amazing scenes - the gin & oranges scene at the opening of the book, that really worrying scene leading up to Albie's first sedation, setting fire to the school with a discarded match - where time just seems to stand still. You have such control over the reader in that moment.

Anyway, what's it really like owning a bookshop? It has always been a dream of mine.

Oh and I agree with the other reader about Leo. How does Franny not see how he used her?

@GhostsToMonsoon

It seemed that Fix was the one who objected the most to Leon's novel, as despite his initial wish to see a handsome Hollywood actor playing his younger self, he couldn't stay in the cinema. The blurb on the back suggested that this would be the main focus of the novel, but I found that it was much more of an exploration of sibling relationships and families over time. I also liked how Franny still got on with Bert at the end of the novel and how she was still friends with Albie.

The children certainly had a free-range childhood - did you have similar freedoms (presumably not involving guns and Benadryl?)

I didn't read the blurb on the back. Oh well. I did have a free-range childhood. I'm 53. We all had free-range childhoods back then. We didn't use Benadryl on one another (though we would have if it had occurred to us) but there were plenty of guns lying around in the rural American South in the 1970s. Bad idea, but we all survived.

I note you've told us you're currently working on a new novel. Can you tell us anything about it?

Also, do you find it easy to answer questions about Commonwealth, when you're writing about something else?

@PatsysPyjamas

Hi Ann, thanks for coming along! I really enjoyed Commonwealth and have recommended it to lots of people. I love stories of intertwined lives and dysfunctional families and complex people, but what really stood out were these amazing scenes - the gin & oranges scene at the opening of the book, that really worrying scene leading up to Albie's first sedation, setting fire to the school with a discarded match - where time just seems to stand still. You have such control over the reader in that moment.

Anyway, what's it really like owning a bookshop? It has always been a dream of mine.

Oh and I agree with the other reader about Leo. How does Franny not see how he used her?

Hi, PatsysPyjamas,

Owning a bookshop is the best. I highly recommend it, especially since I don't work there, I just dip in and out. I love the people who work there and I love the dogs. We all bring our dogs to work. Look it up - parnassusbooks.net - if you go to The Shop Dog Diaries you can see all the dogs.

Franny was in love with him! Imagine you were dating Chekhov and he loved you and found you fascinating. I'm not saying it was a healthy relationship but I can also understand why she was into it.

@FernieB

I note you've told us you're currently working on a new novel. Can you tell us anything about it?

Also, do you find it easy to answer questions about Commonwealth, when you're writing about something else?

It's perfectly easy, and I've finished writing for the day, and my best friend Judy is sitting in my office on the couch answering her email (she's my tech support in case I screw things up) so it's perfectly pleasant.

I'm on page 16 of the new novel so there isn't much to report except I'm very excited about it. It's in first person. I haven't written in first person for years.

@PatsysPyjamas

Hi Ann, thanks for coming along! I really enjoyed Commonwealth and have recommended it to lots of people. I love stories of intertwined lives and dysfunctional families and complex people, but what really stood out were these amazing scenes - the gin & oranges scene at the opening of the book, that really worrying scene leading up to Albie's first sedation, setting fire to the school with a discarded match - where time just seems to stand still. You have such control over the reader in that moment.

Anyway, what's it really like owning a bookshop? It has always been a dream of mine.

Oh and I agree with the other reader about Leo. How does Franny not see how he used her?

I do work it all out in my head before I start. Also, owning a bookstore and having to read so many books constantly makes me very aware of not wanting to waste other people's time. Just because someone can write beautifully doesn't mean I need to read it.

I realise it can be a bit tricky moving up and down the thread so I thought it would be easier if I rounded up the Qs from earlier in the thread (feel free to answer in one post Ann - and just answer those you feel are most interesting - or that you don't feel you've already answered further up)

Reastie
I'd like to ask Ann did you always know what would happen to the characters as their life went on throughout the book when you started or did it evolve as you wrote it? Presumably the main story of the summer with the bee sting and Leo writing the book were there always, but I often wonder how novelists develop their book as they write it, as I think as you get inside the characters' heads and really develop them it might be easier to create pathways as you go rather than have everything planned out first.

Queenoftheschoolrun
I haven't read anything by Ann Patchett before so there's the added bonus of discovering a new author! So my question to Ann is: which of your books should I read next? Do you have a favourite?

BearAusten
The title ‘Commonwealth’ seems particularly weighted with meaning. When did you choose the title ‘Commonwealth’ for the novel? Was it when you had finished it or before you had really even begun?

Did you have any alternative titles for this novel?

Onlyrose
I'd love to know if you are coming to the UK on a book tour anytime soon?

Aginghippy
I want to ask about guns. There is Bert's gun that Cal gets hold of and also Franny with Fix's service revolver towards the end of the book.

What gave you the idea to use the guns in the story in the way you did?

Popstarz
As the book skips decades, characters, and locations.
So my question for Ann is whether she intended to write the book this way? Or when planning the book did you think chronologically of character development and events and then decide to go back and forth?

Magicpenny
Also can I ask you about your shop - how are book sales in US? There seems to be a revival in books over e-books here - which is really exciting (two book shops have opened up on our high street in the last year). Is it the same in America? Your shop looks amazing. How much time do you spend there?

KTD
So, when your not writing what do you like to do? Are you currently writing a new book or do you take a break once you finish writing?

And finally - I'm interested about the book jacket. I LOVE the UK jacket - so stylish and, in my view, so much more compelling to the US version. What are your thoughts?

Hope we're not bombarding you Ann! There's about 15 mins left so do just get through what you can! Thanks x

@MagicPenny

Also can I ask you about your shop - how are book sales in US? There seems to be a revival in books over e-books here - which is really exciting (two book shops have opened up on our high street in the last year). Is it the same in America? Your shop looks amazing. How much time do you spend there?

Book sales are good. We're all very depressed about Trump so maybe we need a good novel to escape into now more than ever. I go into the shop three or four times a week, depending on what's going on.

I've just had a wander onto Ann's bookshop website and can thoroughly recommend checking out the dogs. Sparky is so cute.

I know she was in love, but I didn't want her to be! She gave away something really precious and he just took it from her. I am sure you are much nicer than Leon!

I am not a writer but I do often think about the people I know with fascinating lives and think I would love to write about them. Do you make some kind of deal with yourself about which stories you can use? Or is everything copy, as Nora Ephron said?

Hi Ann

Sorry, late to the party! I really enjoyed this, the characterisations and how they intertwined, beautifully transfixing scenes that took you right there and a deep storyline. You've answered lots already but where do you draw your inspiration for characters from? Do you use aspects of people - not those you know well but that you might have come across in real life?

Rachel you didn't include my question in your round up

@cheapskatemum

Rachel you didn't include my question in your round up

wasn't deliberate - will hunt it out now -sorry!

@RachelMumsnet

I realise it can be a bit tricky moving up and down the thread so I thought it would be easier if I rounded up the Qs from earlier in the thread (feel free to answer in one post Ann - and just answer those you feel are most interesting - or that you don't feel you've already answered further up)

Reastie
I'd like to ask Ann did you always know what would happen to the characters as their life went on throughout the book when you started or did it evolve as you wrote it? Presumably the main story of the summer with the bee sting and Leo writing the book were there always, but I often wonder how novelists develop their book as they write it, as I think as you get inside the characters' heads and really develop them it might be easier to create pathways as you go rather than have everything planned out first.

Queenoftheschoolrun
I haven't read anything by Ann Patchett before so there's the added bonus of discovering a new author! So my question to Ann is: which of your books should I read next? Do you have a favourite?

BearAusten
The title ‘Commonwealth’ seems particularly weighted with meaning. When did you choose the title ‘Commonwealth’ for the novel? Was it when you had finished it or before you had really even begun?

Did you have any alternative titles for this novel?

Onlyrose
I'd love to know if you are coming to the UK on a book tour anytime soon?

Aginghippy
I want to ask about guns. There is Bert's gun that Cal gets hold of and also Franny with Fix's service revolver towards the end of the book.

What gave you the idea to use the guns in the story in the way you did?

Popstarz
As the book skips decades, characters, and locations.
So my question for Ann is whether she intended to write the book this way? Or when planning the book did you think chronologically of character development and events and then decide to go back and forth?

Magicpenny
Also can I ask you about your shop - how are book sales in US? There seems to be a revival in books over e-books here - which is really exciting (two book shops have opened up on our high street in the last year). Is it the same in America? Your shop looks amazing. How much time do you spend there?

KTD
So, when your not writing what do you like to do? Are you currently writing a new book or do you take a break once you finish writing?

And finally - I'm interested about the book jacket. I LOVE the UK jacket - so stylish and, in my view, so much more compelling to the US version. What are your thoughts?

Hope we're not bombarding you Ann! There's about 15 mins left so do just get through what you can! Thanks x

I'm not exactly sure how to do this but I'll try -

I loved the US jacket. There is zero agreement is jacket sensibilities between the US and the UK. I just assume they know what they're doing and stay out of it.

When I'm not writing I do a lot of public speaking, a lot of charity work for literacy, libraries, bookstores. I travel a ton for work and am always glad to be home.

I was planning to go back and forth in time because the book covers such a long stretch that I didn't think I could manage it in a linear way. I loved Carol Shields THE STONE DIARIES, she handles it perfectly. I also learned so much from Jane Gardam's OLD FILTH.

I got back from UK book tour a month ago! Sorry to have missed you.

The title was always COMMONWEALTH.

(I'm going to post and see what else I've missed.)

cheapskatemum asks:

I mentioned the character of Bert earlier. I find him interesting because autism runs in my family and aspects of his character suggest to me he's on the autistic spectrum. Were you aware of autism and the challenges of a parent on the autistic spectrum when creating this character ?

Rachel my question got missed too, but no probs if you're running out of time

@cheapskatemum

I mentioned the character of Bert earlier. I find him interesting because autism runs in my family and aspects of his character suggest to me he's on the autistic spectrum. Were you aware of autism and the challenges of a parent on the autistic spectrum when creating this character ?

I found your question!

I am aware of parents on the spectrum but I didn't think of Bert that way. I know too many men like him, especially in the 1960s - very entitled and thoughtless, just a sort of jerk. Maybe I'm oversimplifying.