Yesterday evening, my daughter, Anna Lucia and I braved the wet North East weather and went to Janet MacLeod Trotter's book launch for A Handful of Stars.
Jan's book is set in 1931 Newcastle and looks at fascism in the North East. She wrote the book because she felt compelled to. She wanted to explore the problems and to show that on the eve of World War II, life was not so simple. People were not universally opposed to Hitler -- something that Jan once argued with her agent about. There would have been Quislings in Britain's midst just as there were in Norway's. As dreadful and awful as that may seem to us now.
Her book follows the trials and tribulations of Clara Magee as she battles poverty, her family and eventually finds true happiness.
Jan as ever has crafted a fine novel and one that creates an authentic Newcastle. She is a worthy heir to Catherine Cookson.
The book launch was very well attended. Not a spare seat and the books appeared to be selling very briskly after the short speech and the readings.
there was also a chance for a quick gossip with some of the other RNA Northumberland writers. Jen Black had just returned and so did not have much to add on the Triskelion situation. the best place to read about it is Dear Author or Smart Bitches. It does go to show that the world of publishing is never dull.
A good time was had by all.
My TV interview thing has been postponed until tomorrow -- so hopefully the rain will have stopped. My wip continues and I can see the end. Always a good sign.
3 comments:
Thanks for writing that up, Michelle. I'm a huge Janet Macleod Trotter fan and her book sounds fascinating. I must add it to my list.
I actually prefer Janet to Catherine Cookson. I found Cookson's books to be a little hit and miss, but have enjoyed every book by Janet I read. They're so dramatic and well researched and so evocative that I can never put them down.
Julie
Good luck with the interview!
Thanks for the recommendation--I enjoy books about that time period.
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