Michelle Paver's Blog, page 6

Any update on a Wolf Brother series?!

Richard writes…

Hey Michelle, just wondered if there had been any movements in a potential wolf brother series? I know the idea what discussed a while ago but wondered if there had been any movements? Just to add I adored the wolf brother series so much but never finished the last book. I cannot go further because I don’t want wolf to die and I have no idea if he does or not but can’t go further. I’ve just let me imagine think of different endings! The book has been sat half finished my sideboard for years!

Michelle Replies…

Dear Richard, I’m afraid there are currently no plans to adapt the stories; but it’s terrific to hear how much you loved them!  I found your reluctance to finish the final book out of concern for Wolf very touching.  But as I’m not sure whether you meant Book 6, Ghost Hunter – I thought I should mention that a few years ago I wrote three more sequels.  So if it’s Ghost Hunter that’s sat on half-finished on your sideboard, you can now read the rest of it in perfect confidence, because Wolf features in all the sequels – Viper’s Daughter, Skin Taker, and Wolf Bane.  With very best wishes, Michelle

Torak’s world on screen: how would you change things?

Rebecca writes…

Hi Michelle.
Would you consider writing any prequels or spinoffs in Torak's world?
Will there be any film or TV apaptations of the original 6 book series in the future? – I hope so!
What changes would you make? And what same ideas would you insist of using?
Do you have any actors in mind already that you'd like for the character's parts?
Thanks again.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Rebecca, thanks for all this!  At present there are no plans to adapt the Wolf Brother books, but if that changes, readers visiting my website will be the first to know. Concerning spinoffs or prequels, I’ve never felt the urge to write them.  I think that’s because I’m so close to Torak, Renn and Wolf (not to mention Dark) that I just couldn’t imagine that world without them.  You also asked whether – if there were an adaptation in the future – I’d want any changes made.  That prompted a hollow laugh, because it wouldn’t be up to me.  Any studio which did a film or tv deal would want the right to change anything it liked about the stories, and I’d just have to put up with it.  I think I’d be happy, provided they kept to the spirit of the stories, and didn’t try to make Torak into a cartoonish super-hero, and Wolf into a sort of Stone Age Lassie.  As for actors: personally, I’d prefer unknown actors to play most of the characters; and Wolf would of course have to be CGI’d.  That’s because you can’t train real wolves to do anything, not even fetch a stick.  They simply don’t see the point.  Thanks for asking such interesting questions – and may the guardian run with you!  With best wishes, Michelle

chronicles of ancient darkness series: the books of my childhood

faye writes…

Hi Michelle! I grew up reading your books from the age of eight to now eighteen and the wolf brother series is hands down one of the best i have ever read. I've always loved the idea of toraks world being adapted to a TV show, and I know there was a cancellation a couple years ago, but do you ever think an adaptation would be possible in the future? These books were my childhood, and I would love for the magic to carry to non book readers as well – they should all know Torak, Renn and Wolf!!

Michelle Replies…

Dear Faye, it’s marvellous to hear that the stories saw you all the way into adulthood, and I love your phrase “the books of my childhood”.  As for any tv adaptation, I’m afraid your information is up to date: at the moment, it’s not on the cards.  If that chances, of course I’ll post the news on my website.  In the meantime, thanks for getting in touch – and may the guardian hunt with you!  Best wishes, Michelle

Revisiting Gruhuken

Valda writes…

I love this book and always enjoy recommending it to other people, so as it’s hot and steamy in Suffolk, what could be better than (re) visiting Gruhuken with Jack and spending some time in the Arctic.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Valda,  it must indeed be hot in Suffolk – it’s getting pretty tropical where I am in south London – so what a great idea to tunnel down into some Arctic chill with Dark Matter!  I love the picture, too.  And for those who may not be familiar with that cover, it’s one of the original book proofs (ie advance copies) from before the book was first published, fifteen years go.  Thanks for reminding me of that, I must hunt out my copy.  Enjoy your return to Gruhuken!  With best wishes, Michelle

Loving the Wolf Brothers series

Briar writes…

I love the Wolf brother series. It changed my life. I’m currently on oathbreaker. It is my favorite series yet.

Michelle Replies…

Hello, Briar.  It’s brilliant that you’re enjoying the books so much, and thanks a lot for letting me know!  I hope you enjoy Oathbreaker as much as the previous stories, and that you also enjoy the ones after that: Ghost Hunter, Viper’s Daughter, Skintaker and Wolfbane.  May the guardian run with you!  With very best wishes, Michelle

Superb: An early review of RAINFOREST from a reviewer who’s read the proof

Ryan writes…

Dear Michelle,

I hope this message finds you well and you are finding ways to stay cool during this heatwave we’re currently having!

I wanted to message to congratulate you on what a triumph RAINFOREST is. I was lucky enough to get a digital proof on NetGalley and of course I had to read it straight away without a moments notice and by GOD it was incredible. I loved every second. It came at the right moment as my partner, Josh, and I are in the middle of buying our first home together and it hasn’t been a very fun process and RAINFOREST allowed me to escape for a while!

Below is what I posted on NetGalley after finishing:

Phenomenal. All of the stars. Every single time I read a Michelle Paver book I am completely entranced. Sucked straight into the words and not let go until the very last page. This book took me completely unawares with its direction and I couldn’t have loved it more if I tried. I knew that it was going to be creepy but holy cow, the violence that lay within these pages was handled so well.

Simon is incredibly flawed. At times creepy, narcissistic and downright odd. He deeply mistrusts the local people of the part of the rainforest where he is working. He’s running away from his own demons back home in England. Demons of his own making that even now he just doesn’t seem to realise. And even now he just cannot let go of his obsessions. I liked that he was this way because you never once really feel for him. If anything I felt that the more he was haunted, the more comeuppance he was truly getting. His just desserts.

Written with consummate skill with gorgeous, often raw prose, and with a conclusion that made me physically shout out in horror, this was a joy and easily my top read of the year so far.

Every time I read one of her books it’s like coming home, and I am so grateful to have experienced that wonderful feeling once again!

–

Thank you for such an experience! Hoping I get to catch up with you at an event later in the year and get my copy signed!

Best wishes as always,
Ryan

Michelle Replies…

Dear Ryan, thanks so much for this – I think it’s pretty much the first review for Rainforest – and I’m absolutely delighted that you liked it so much! I was also fascinated to hear your take on the hero, Simon.  I suspect he’s going to spark some interesting discussions among readers: some may empathise with him, while others probably won’t.  As always it’ll be down to individual readers to make up their own minds, but I do find that fascinating.  And above all, I’m glad that the story kept you hooked and that you enjoyed it! Thanks again for getting in touch.  With very best wishes, Michelle

P.S. I should make clear to readers that you’re one of the lucky ones who’s been allowed to read Rainforest early; it’s common practice for publishers to send reviewers and booksellers advance copies.  I’m afraid the rest of my readers will have to wait till October when the book comes out.

Wakenhyrst

Lau writes…

I want to thank you for writing this novel. English is not my first language, nor am I from the UK, so it has been a truly enriching journey. It has been years since I’ve read with a dictionary in hand, and it has made me feel very rewarded. Furthermore, it has helped me connect with my dear aunt, who is also a big lover of gothic novels.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Michelle Replies…

“Dear Lau, thank you SO much for this!  I’m delighted that you enjoyed Wakenhyrst so much, and I do admire your dedication in reading it with a dictionary in hand.  Also, may I compliment you on your English: I would never have guessed that it wasn’t your first language.  Thank you again for such a lovely message.

With very best wishes,

Michelle

about you

Jan writes…

Hi my name is janice i am in primary school i am doing a school report about you I have a few questions
1.what is ur fav color
2.what challenges did u have to over come
3.what do you wish for to do in the future
ty this will help alot i couldn't find anything about these questions

Michelle Replies…

Hi, Janice.  As you’re written in text-speak, my answers are just as short: 1) Green.  2) Getting published.  3) Write. Regards, Michelle

Dark Matter and Thin Air – I want more books!

Pamela writes…

Hi,

I’ve recently read both Dark Matter and Thin Air and I am devastated you don’t have any more books along these lines. I genuinely don’t want to read anything else.

I absolutely loved everything about them: you’re writing style, the plot, the story telling, the atmosphere, the characters and all of the spooky parts were amazing.

I’m begging you to write more books like these. They’re beautiful.

I bought both on my Kindle but I loved them so much I’ll be buying the physical copies.

That’s it. I just wanted to beg you to write more books. Thank you for both of these books.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Pamela, what a brilliant message to receive, thank you!  (And I find it particularly encouraging, as I’m writing while fighting off a nasty cold.)   In fact you won’t have too long to wait, as my new novel, RAINFOREST, comes out in early October.  In the meantime, you might like my Gothic novel WAKENHYRST, which came out a few years ago.  Many fans of DARK MATTER and THIN AIR have told me they enjoyed it – so maybe you will too!  Thanks again for getting in touch.  With very best wishes, Michelle

Clan guardians

Jasmyn writes…

Hi my names jasmyn and I have loved reading the chronicles of ancient darkness. I would like to ask you about clan guardians. Can your clan guardian be an animal that you are deeply connected too? Thanks, Jasmyn

Michelle Replies…

Hello again, Jasmyn, and thanks for this.  You’re quite right, your clan guardian can indeed be an animal to whom you feel deeply connected.  In my previous answer about clans, I explained what a clan-creature is.  Well, the clan guardian is like the special, spirit version of a clan-creature, which watches over members of that clan.  You may never actually see it (although that’s not impossible, and you might think you have, if your clan creature does something out of the ordinary) but that won’t stop you asking it for help, or thanking it if good things happen.  And you might dream about it, which might make you believe it had visited you in your sleep.  The Raven Clan’s clan guardian is of course a raven.  But it’s not one of the ravens which hang about camp, or tease wolf cubs; and when Renn sometimes refers to individual ravens as “little guardian”, that’s just a form of speech.  She doesn’t mean that they’re actually the clan guardian.  But she’s always respectful to ravens, because they are her clan creature.  If this all sounds rather vague and mysterious, that’s because it is.  Beliefs often are.  But I hope it’s helped you understand.  And may your guardian hunt, run, swim or fly with you!  With best wishes, Michelle