Adriana Delgado
asked
Helen Simonson:
Beatrice Nash fascinated me in The Summer Before the War. What or who was the inspiration for her character?
Helen Simonson
Dear Adriana, Beatrice was initially a problem for me. I was unsure how to make her different and not just some caricature of a 'strong female heroine who love books'. Finally I realized that Beatrice has no money. I remember being a young woman with no money myself, and as I sat quietly and sort of talked to Beatrice about how money restricted her, about how her father's family held her back, I began to see her very clearly as a real person. As I researched my book, women just like Beatrice kept popping up in Edwardian times, making their way in the world without husbands or resources. Henry James' secretary, Theodora Bosanquet, who worked for James for many years before going on to become an Association Director and a novelist herself, became an inspiring model. Her book, Henry James at Work, was recently edited by Lyall Powers to include an essay on Theodora and more excerpts from her diaries. This gave me fascinating insights into the life of a working woman from the era.
More Answered Questions
Hannah M.
asked
Helen Simonson:
hi. I have always wanted to be an author and I would like to ask you a few questions if you'd answer them. I was wondering if you have any responsibilities as an author? if you do what are they? also what kind of education did you have to get to become an author. and what if any contributions do you as an author make to society? thanks.
Linda
asked
Helen Simonson:
I just finished The Summer before the War, and oh my gosh. I knew it was going to be bittersweet, but how did you capture such a clear picture of that view from Rye, and the absolute tranquility of an English garden on a summer's day? I am sure I will take myself there many times in my mind's eye, such a sense of peace. I loved Major Pettigrew too (I gave it a starred review for Library Journal!)!
Anne
asked
Helen Simonson:
I was interested to see that you do not list E. F. Benson as one of your influences, as he is one of my favorite authors. I love the Lucia series. I was a bit concerned when I started reading "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" for fear that your book would come up short, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I found it to be sort of like an updated E. F. Benson novel. Do you feel that is an apt comparison?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more