Michelle Paver's Blog, page 35

The Observer

“Months after reading it, I remain obsessed with Michelle Paver’s Wakenhyrst… Spooky, twisted and unforgettable”
– The Observer, Best Thrillers of the Year

Research

Jade writes…

I wondered where you travelled to and which tribes you visited/stayed with to research your information for the wolf brother series?

Michelle Replies…

Dear Jade,

Thanks for getting in touch.  For the Wolf Brother series I travelled mostly to Arctic Norway, Sweden and Finland, as well as Pacific Northwest America (Canada and Alaska), Greenland, and a trip to eastern Siberia and Wrangel Island.  I visited, stayed with and spoke to lots of different First Nations, tribes and people who live in traditional ways, including: the Inuit, the Sami, the Haida, the Tlingit, and many others.  You can find lots of detail on this in the Author’s Note at the end of each book, particularly the final three (VIPER’S DAUGHTER, SKIN TAKER, & WOLF BANE) – so if you’re interested, I’d urge you to take a look at those.  I hope this helps, and thanks again for getting in touch.

Best wishes, Michelle

Autograph Books?

Rachel writes…

Dear Michelle,
What an honor it is to be able to have direct communication with you! I started reading The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness when it was released in the US in 2004 when I was just 8 years old. I immediately fell in love with the characters and couldn't wait for the next book. The school librarian made sure to order the newest book in the series and keep it on hold for me until I could come check it out! I remember pretend playing in my backyard where I would imagine running through the woods with Torak, Wolf, and Renn. Now at the age of 27, I am using your characters as inspiration for my Dungeons and Dragons character- a druidic ranger named Renn who has a wolf cub named Torak. Now that I have finished telling you my life's story, I was wondering if you ever do book signings at home? Would I be able to send a copy of my book, have you sign it, and then ship it back to me? I saw in a previous question that you are not currently doing book signings so I was wondering if there was another way to get a signed copy since I won't be able to meet you.

Warmly,
Rachel

p.s. I am getting married this summer and am having a literary wedding since I met my fiance at a library (I made his library card) and one of the tables will include your books as my centerpieces.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Rachel, thanks so much for getting in touch, and I loved hearing about how you came across the Wolf Brother books.  At eight years old, you were one of my youngest readers.  Your school librarian sounds great, too.  I’m grateful to her (or him) for fostering your love of the series, and through that, of books in general.  Books seem to have played quite a role in your life, given that you met your future husband through them!

You’re right that I’m not doing book signings (and thanks for taking the trouble to read that in a previous question, I appreciate it).   I’m afraid that I don’t sign books at home either, because if I did it for you I’d have to do it for everyone, and posting books all over the world would swiftly become time-consuming and unwieldy – not least as I live a good 20 minutes’ walk from my nearest Post Office and don’t have a car.

But enough of that.  What I really want to say is congratulations on your forthcoming wedding, and what a marvellous, original idea to make it a literary one.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that before, but now that  I have, I wonder why more people don’t do it.  I’m honoured that my books will be present.  (And the idea of Wolf at a wedding evokes quite a picture, doesn’t it? Not to mention the Walker!)  Once again, thank you for getting in touch – and I hope the wedding goes brilliantly.

With very best wishes, Michelle

 

 

 

 

 

Books

Josiah writes…

Will you make anymore books for the wolf brother series

Michelle Replies…

Dear Josiah,

Thanks for your question – but I’m afraid the answer is no, I’ve no current intention of writing more books in the Wolf Brother series.  (Though I’m not sure whether you know that I recently wrote three further books, VIPER’S DAUGHTER, SKIN TAKER, and WOLF BANE.)  You see, I just knew when I finished the ninth book in the series, WOLF BANE, that this would be the final one.  Of course, I said the same thing years ago when I wrote Book 6, GHOST HUNTER – but this time it feels different.  I think this is because with the final three books I’ve given Torak, Renn and Wolf a good send-off – and I’ve also helped them deal with some of the emotional aftermath of what they went through in the previous six books.  In addition, I have developed Dark’s character quite a lot , and shown readers aspects of him which I knew he had, but which I didn’t have space for when we first met him  in GHOST HUNTER.  (I’m being careful to avoid spoilers here, in case you haven’t yet read the final trilogy!)  The last reason is that I’m really pleased with how WOLF BANE has turned out, and I wanted to end the series on a high note, rather than letting it trail off.  So for all these reasons, I’m afraid the ninth book really is the last one.

I hope that’s not too disappointing for you.  You can always re-read them; lots of reader do!  Thanks again for getting in touch.

With very best wishes, Michelle

Best wishes and thank you once more

David writes…

First I hope that all will be well with you and your family.
When searching for a way to contact you for my first Thank You letter I did notice there are more books that continue the adventure.
I’ve already made steps to purchase them so I can enjoy the continuation of this great story.
Thank you for the kind reply, I’ll follow more often now that I know where to search.
-Best wishes, David.

Michelle Replies…

Dear David,

It’s good to know that you’re already on the track of the trilogy which completes the story of Torak, Renn and Wolf.  I really hope you enjoy them!

With best wishes, Michelle

Thank you

David writes…

It is not a question, simply a thank you letter.
When I moved at 12yo I frequently went to the local library.
As a kid who was frightened by wolves your book cover intrigued me and I’ve decided to give it a go.
The first few pages were pure horror for 12yo me and I loved it, finished the first 3 books without pause throughout a week but to my misfortune I found out that only the first 3 books were translated to Hebrew (I live in Israel), and so I started to search and see if I can find the original series in stores near me – to no success.
After a few years of reading the first three over and over again I managed to save enough to buy your complete series from Amazon to be delivered to me. My English wasn’t perfect at all (still isn’t) and it really took time for me to finish the first three books in English but with a dictionary to my side I managed to do so.
Finally finishing your Chronicles of Darkness series at 16 years old was incredible. I still read them every few months and enjoy it greatly each time. I’m 24 now, just finishing the second title and wanting to thank you.
Thank you for helping me overcome my fear of wolves.
Thank you for helping me learn English and read better.
Thank you for an incredible story to which I hold dear.
Thank you, for everything.

-David.

Michelle Replies…

Dear David,

Thank you for such a marvellous, heartfelt message!  And my apologies for taking a few days to reply; I’ve been dealing with some family stuff to do with my elderly mother which has been taking all my time for weeks.  But enough of that.  I was absolutely fascinated to learn of the effect which finding the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness had on you as a child – and I’m so impressed by your dedication and persistence in getting hold of the remaining three books , then working your way through them with a dictionary.  Your English is pretty perfect now, I would never have guessed that it isn’t your first language; and I’m delighted that my stories have helped play their part in that.

I also love the fact that you still re-read them, even though you’re now an adult.  You’re not alone in that; over the years, many readers have told me the same thing.  It’s wonderful, and it’s not something that I ever imagined when I began writing Wolf Brother.

Finally, I wonder if you’re aware that I recently wrote three more stories featuring Torak, Renn and Wolf?  Just in case you’re not, they’re called VIPER’S DAUGHTER, SKIN TAKER, & WOLF BANE (more details on my website).  I’m afraid these aren’t published in Hebrew either (that’s not in my control, it’s up to the publishers to sell the rights overseas), so you’d need to resort to Amazon again if you were interested.   But I thought I should mention them for completeness.

Thank you again, David, for getting in touch with such a beautiful message, I really do appreciate it.

With very best wishes, Michelle

Thank you

Jay writes…

Dear Michelle,
I hope this message finds you well (and belated Happy New Year!). I've thought about this message for a very long time, and I've spent many days and weeks and months searching for the right words. Now I'm here, and I still don't think that I'll be able to tell you all these things that I've wanted to tell you, for such a long time.

First of all, I'd like to tell you just how much I love, love, love your works. The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness remain, to this day, the most amazing books I've ever read. I also loved reading Gods and Warriors and also your slightly darker, spookier works are amazing and I enjoyed every second of them. Your writing is so unique, so amazing and beautiful, so full of heart and life. I open a book and the words come alive.

Also, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for putting these amazing works out into the world, for people to read.
To be honest, I first read the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness when only Wolf Brother and Spirit Walker had been released yet (in my country, anyway). It was pure coincidence. At the time I lived in a rural region, my small town had a tiny library. That's where I found these two books. I still remember seeing them for the first time. They'd been presented on the rare book stands, I saw the covers and immediately, I was intrigued. In that moment, the magic was already at work. Of course I borrowed the two books from the library and as soon as I got home, I started reading and from the first word, I was already so in love with the story, the world, the characters and ideas that came to life as I kept reading. I bought my own copies from the local book store and then eagerly waited for each new release.

I discovered and read Wolf Brother and Spirit Walker at a time in my life that wasn't happy, not at all. I was hurt and lost, and I believed the entire world was against me. I still remember that biting loneliness from back then, that dull, aching emptiness inside of me. Books were the only things that brought light into the darkness that I was living in.

Yeah, those were dark times for me and I don't want to dwell on that. I'm telling you this because your wonderful books, as weirdly and corny as it sounds, helped me through these times when I was convinced that things would never, ever get better. It was a time when I hated myself and my life, but your books, telling this beautiful story set thousands of years ago…I don't know how, or why, really, but your books helped me see the light again. This may sound terribly corny, but I think that your books came into my life when I needed them the most. That is why to this day, I still feel this connection to them that I can hardly put into words. I usually say that they're my favourite books of all time, but „favourite books“ don't even come close to encompass everything that I feel for the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. These books saved my life. You saved my life.
And now I'm here, writing this letter to you, and I'd like to thank you again for writing these books, for creating these stories and characters that made me want to not give up just yet. They made me want to not let go of my life just yet. Thank you for making me want to hold on.

I'm an adult now, navigating through a busy, hectic life. As it oftentimes happens, the darkness came back to me after years, like it was just waiting for me to jump into working life and attack me even fiercer than it did when I was twelve.
I was getting really bad again (now I know that it's depression) and it was then when I, just by chance, felt like I should check out your website. It's how I got to know about the continuation of the series that saved my life.
And here I am now, and I have to tell you, when I saw the announcement of you continuing the series, I cried tears of joy, because I couldn't believe that we, as fans, were allowed to visit this beautiful world once again to continue the journey together with Torak, Renn and Wolf.
And you saved me again, together with Torak, Renn and Wolf. It may sound corny, but I wanted to stay alive to read book 7, 8 and 9. Hence why I'm still here and the darkness has passed once more and I think, if it comes back, I'll be ok. I'm in a much better place now.
So thank you, thank you so so so much. I think I will never be able to tell you just how much your works mean to me. So really, just….thank you.
Thank you for everything.

Love,
Jay

Michelle Replies…

Dear Jay,

First, forgive me for taking a few days to reply to your wonderful email. Since before Christmas I’ve been dealing with a rather fraught family matter which has taken every moment of my time, and I didn’t want to dash off a hasty reply to your considered and thoughtful message.

Thank you for describing so beautifully the effect which my books have had on you, particularly the CHRONICLES OF ANCIENT DARKNESS when you were a child.  I was also very moved by your account of the dark times you’ve experienced: the “biting loneliness” and the emptiness of what you now realise is depression.  You seem, though, to have developed from a young age that most potent of weapons against bleakness: the ability to lose yourself in, and draw comfort and companionship from, a book.  I can only say that I am delighted that my stories have helped you so much.

There are people in my family who experience depression too, and I have some idea of what a horrible illness it is.  I’m so sorry that for you, it recently came back.  But how lucky that you came across Books 7, 8 and 9 of my books!  And I am glad and relieved that they helped bring you back to the light once more.  (You mentioned a few times that some of your words might sound “corny”, but I can assure they’re not.  Nothing can be corny that comes so clearly from the heart.)

Finally, I might add that your message has helped me too, because over the past five weeks, the family stuff I mentioned has stopped me doing any work on the book I was writing,  and I’ve found that rather discouraging.  Your message came just at the right time, and reminded me that writing good stories really matters!

Thank you again for getting in touch.  May you have a happy and healthy 2023 – and beyond.

With very best wishes, Michelle

Complete Box set

Ali writes…

Hi Michelle,
How are you? I'm wondering if you'll be releasing a complete box set now the final book is out.
Best wishes,
Ali

Michelle Replies…

Dear Ali,

Many thanks for your query.  You’re not alone in wanting this, and it would be great if it could happen.  But I’m afraid that at the moment there are no plans for a complete boxed set of the Wolf Brother books.  The reason for this is mainly that the first six books are published by Hachette Children’s Books, whereas the final three books are published by another publisher, Head of Zeus.  So it would be a bit complicated, and as far as I know neither publisher is thinking of doing this.  It’s a great idea, though; and who knows, it may happen at some stage in the future.

Thanks for getting  in touch, and Happy New Year!  With best wishes, Michelle

Thin Air

Salomon writes…

Dear Michelle,

I’m sitting on the floor by the latrine on the delayed and crowded 16.47 from Marylebone to Haddenham… Reading thin air, utterly hooked, and reliving my own alpine climbing days… the discomfort, pain, cold, hunger, exhaustion… making the best of an unplanned overnight bivi…

I bought Thin Air in a charity shop some months ago… I glimpsed it in my peripheral vision and immediately picked it up and took it home. Not before paying for it..

I’d love to know how you researched this book. It’s brill and spot on.

I feel like I’d trust you to hold my ropes!

My heart goes out crevasse deep to the Sherpas and Cedric.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Salomon, I’ve just checked my emails and got yours; I really hope that by now you’re no longer on that delayed train, and have reached Haddenham!

I’m absolutely delighted that you enjoyed/are enjoying THIN AIR, particularly as you’ve been a climber yourself.  In answer to your question, nope, I’m not a climber and never have been.  But I have hiked in mountains in all over the world; and I’ve always loved the classic accounts of climbing, such as THE WHITE SPIDER and TOUCHING THE VOID.  To research the story I read in-depth about the history of Himalayan mountaineering.  Then, to put it simply, I used my imagination.  I also hiked in the foothills of Kanchenjunga, which was invaluable.  (I go into all this in a bit more detail in the Author’s Note at the back of the book; but I suggest you only take a look at that when you’ve finished the story.)

Thanks so much for getting in touch; and I hope you enjoy the rest of it!

With very best wishes,  Michelle

 

 

 

who dies in oath breaker?

emilia writes…

who dies in oath breaker? I know its a spoiler but I am itching to know by the way i love your books my favorite characters are wolf and torak

Michelle Replies…

Dear Emilia, I’m really glad that you like my stories, but I’m afraid I make it a rule never to answer questions that are spoilers!

But thank you for reminding me about the importance of avoiding spoilers. And for anyone reading this and thinking about asking a question, please DON’T include a spoiler in your question, because then I won’t be able to answer it.

Thanks for getting in touch, Emilia, and I’m afraid you’re just going to have to read OATH BREAKER to find out whether anyone dies – and if so, who!

With best wishes, Michelle