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

5 mins left - but if you have time Ann - this is from Merry Pam:

I was interested by how it was significant to the younger Cousins children that they were not from Virginia, and how the movement between there and California took place. Is this something you feel is important to the children's identity and their sense of belonging (or not), or just another way their parents neglected them?

@aginghippy

Thanks for coming, Ann.

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?

aginghippy, I found you!!

I grew up with guns. No one got shot but it was still stressful. I was interested in playing with the old Chekhov idea - A gun that's introduced in the first act must go off in the third. People say to me - but no one got shot! And yet Lomer gets shot at the beginning of the book!

It's hard to live in the country, in this age, and not think about guns all the time.

@Celama

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?

Hi, Celama,

someone once said to me that even if you're writing science fiction, the space alien will be your mother. I think there's a little bit of everyone I know in these people/.

Sadly that brings us to the end of the hour. Thank you so much Ann for your time this evening – it’s been a real privilege to have this opportunity to discuss your mesmerising novel which had us all gripped in the last month. We really hope you’ll come and join us again and discuss your new work – fiction and non-fiction. And if any of us are in Nashville we’ll drop by Parnassus books and say Hi to you and the dogs.

Thanks to everyone who joined us tonight for this lively webchat. Next month we’re reading Zadie Smith’s SwingTime and Zadie will be joining us for a webchat at the end of July (date tbc). Watch out for more info over the next few days.

@AnnPatchett

[quote Celama] 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?

Hi, Celama,

someone once said to me that even if you're writing science fiction, the space alien will be your mother. I think there's a little bit of everyone I know in these people/.[/quote]

This is my goodbye post! This has been like speed dating. I so appreciate everyone reading the book and coming on the chat. I think I saw that the next book is SWING TIME. I loved that book. You'll have a great time.

Thanks for reading!

Ann

Thanks Ann and thanks mumsnet for another fab book

Thanks Ann!

Thanks Ann - and mumsnet.

Great webchat and, of course, book.

Thank you Ann, and thanks mumsnet

Thanks Ann and thank you MN for another great book. Really looking forward to the next one. Right, off to check out those dogs at Ann's book shop...

Really clever concept for a story. I enjoyed delving back into their lives. A masterpiece in human interaction.