Jo’s answer to “Hi, I just wanted to ask how you came up with the concept for the fairies in 'Among Others'? They a…” > Likes and Comments

Thanks for answering. One of the aspects of the book I loved was the way the paranormal/supernatural sat so closely with the mega-mundane. These were the most convincing (or should that be realistic) fairies I have encountered in a book. Distinctly 'other' in how they think and act. The plausible deniability of the magic struck a chord too. It is utterly real and matter of fact to Mori, but we spend the book swinging between taking her word for it and wondering if something more sinister and mundane happened to her sister which she has 'explained' away with fairies and magic. Needing an answer to that really kept me turning pages - although the wonderful voice had me hooked too; took me back to when I lived in Wales. Anyway, I don't know if I picked up exactly what you intended but it's definitely been one of my top reads this year, so thank you :)