October book of the month: Days without End by Sebastian Barry - Join the author webchat 6 November, 9pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Our October book of the month is Sebastian Barry's remarkable novel about two young men growing up in 1800s America. Having signed up for the army they are sent to fight in the Indian Wars and later in the American Civil War. This is a brutal and violent story but also an epic love story beautifully told by Barry's sensuous and lyrical prose.

Days Without End is the deserved winner of the 2016 Costa Book Award and was longlisted for this year's Man Booker Prize. It is undoubtedly one of our favourite books of the year and we're honoured and excited that Sebastian Barry will be joining us in November to answer questions about the novel. We'll announce the date as soon as it's firmed up but in the meantime, hop over to the book of the month page to apply for a free copy (there's 50 up for grabs). We'll be closing the giveaway at 10am on Wednesday 4 October and the books will be sent out later that week. If you're not selected this month, please do buy a copy and read ahead of the webchat.

@BetterEatCheese

Fabulous advice. I'm interested in your writing process - do you hand write or type? I imagine you filing pages and pages of a beautiful notebook. (Romantic likely uninformed vision of writers alert!)

Dear BetterEatCheese

No, I'm afraid I type direct onto this magical ancient machine called the MacBook. My old pal Colm Toibin writes out all his books! A real writer I do fear. My archive is in Texas at the Harry Ransom Centre and there may be a few handwritten things there from the time before the flood.

@katiebasey

I am halfway through your book, not my normal read but throughly enjoying it. I would love to write a book but do not know where to start, what First inspired you .

Dear katiebasey

My grandfather apprenticed me as a painter, he was a wonderful artist. Other family members sang for a living (Mary O'Hara was my aunt), or acted (my mother at the Abbey in Dublin) -- or acted the maggot! I think I thought everyone could produce 'art'. I think I still believe it, but there are some foolish souls who devote their lives to it! I do not regret my foolishness though. Far from it.

@FernieB

Just curious, which book would you take to a desert island and what was your favourite children's book?

Probably Gibbons' Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, or Boswell's Life of Johnston -- both so long you could forget the earlier bits and read them again as if for the first time. The Tale of Mrs Tiggywinkle by Beatrix Potter floated my boat when I was four and my mother reading it to me. I still can hear the profound revelation at the end: 'For Mrs Tiggywinkle was nothing but a hedgehog...' Even then I knew it was a lie. What about that thimble under the waterfall?

@Givemecoffeeplease

5 months to write a novel! Blimey. Does this mean your next one is out soon? I think you have a bevvy of new fans here on Mumsnet. It is such a very beautiful book, but actually now I know about your son it makes it more precious somehow. My parents would have really struggled if I'd been gay (I'm very boringly straight, married, with 2.4 children - I'm incredibly boring and pretty happy!) because it's not what they are used to, but they'd have made it ok because they love their kids. Do you think you'd have written about gay characters without the influence of Toby?

Next book hopefully in 2020 (sounds visionary, no?) Hopefully a good year for all of us.

Dear All on radiant mumsnet,

This has been an out and out joy writing back to you. Thank you for all your really marvellous questions and I will sleep all the better for knowing you liked the book. Thank you, thank you. Fair well and farewell.

Yr devoted author,
Sebastian.

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

@barricade

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

Dear barricade

It has been my joy.

That brings us to the end of the hour. Thanks so much to everyone for this lively and interesting chat and a big thank you to Sebastian for giving over your time to us this evening. It was undoubtedly my favourite book of the year and its been a real honour to hear you talk about it. Please do join us again to discuss the next novel. Good night all x

@RachelMumsnet

That brings us to the end of the hour. Thanks so much to everyone for this lively and interesting chat and a big thank you to Sebastian for giving over your time to us this evening. It was undoubtedly my favourite book of the year and its been a real honour to hear you talk about it. Please do join us again to discuss the next novel. Good night all x

Dear Rachel,

Thank you so much. Good night!

Thanks again.

I have two sons - i think that sort of chat is my future! Thanks for a lovely book and a great webchat. @RachelMumsnet, thanks for organising! I'm off to bed after a week of late nights reading your lovely, lovely book. Snooze

Thank you for answering my question, great chat and amazing book.