All Souls Trilogy Re-read discussion
Ask Deborah Harkness!
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Judith wrote: "Hi Deborah, I have just finished reading the first novel. As a Christian I had been put off by the subject but thought how can you judge without reading them. Well I loved it and will be starting S..."Hi, Judith! I'm glad you gave them a chance. Matthew is, after all, a deeply faithful Christian, too. He was inspired only by Matthew Roydon, for whom no image survives, but I thought he might look a bit like the miniature "Young Man In Flames" that is on the spine of the US edition of SHADOW. That was my starting point. Otherwise, he wasn't based on anyone else though all sorts of bits and pieces of people probably influenced his looks and his character.
As for the second question, I have been interested in the paranormal since 1982 when I went to college. There I took a course on magic in the Renaissance and was fascinated by the way that people then saw no conflict between magic, science, and religion. It was a real eye opener for me!
Marloz wrote: "Hi! What books would you recommend us to learn more about alchemy, the school of night, and medieval England? I really loved SON and all the characters and details about them and their lives in the..."Thank you for your question, Marloz. I'm going to cut and paste a link here that leads back to my website and has a good long list of further reading suggestions: http://deborahharkness.com/shadow-of-...
Barbara wrote: "Thank you so much for these books. This re-read was perfect timing as I was about half way through my own reread of the first book when I was notified of this group. I read each book when it was ..."Oh, I'm so glad you found the lists and that you've been enjoying the reading so far. Elias Ashmole is a wonderful figure--you will enjoy learning more about him!
Kristin wrote: "Hi! Thanks again for creating such a great book series. Just finished re-reading the whole thing. You created such a large, diverse, and wonderful family of creatures by the end of the series. Was ..."Yes. I really, really wanted Freyja (another of Philippe's daughters) to be in the final book with Verin. They are quite a pair! But my editor convinced me there were already a lot of new characters--as well as lots of old characters!--and I should leave her in the wings. But I do feel a bit wistful about having her on the sidelines.
Rachael wrote: "Hi-The All Souls Trilogy is one of my favorites and I've read it several times over. I am looking forward to seeing the TV adaptation on BBC and to reading whatever you write next.
Thanks for..."
I'm afraid that't not my tale to tell at the moment! I have to wait until Marcus and Phoebe feel like sharing it!
Dawn wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Lesley wrote: "How did you choose Matthew's name? In SON, he is Matthew Roydon from the School of Night, an obscure historical figure. Was this character named Matthew, knowing wh..."
You should be able to find the Spotify playlist by searching "Deb Harkness." I wish I could attach the link, but Spotify isn't letting me just now!
You should be able to find the Spotify playlist by searching "Deb Harkness." I wish I could attach the link, but Spotify isn't letting me just now!
Diana wrote: "Hello! I'm curious about how you chose names for the vampires in the books. Matthew goes by multiple variations of his name depending on the time and place. Was that a factor in choosing the charac..."You are not a nerd! I did a lot of research on names, including their meaning and their origins and when/where they became common. So it's not an accident that Matthew's many names fit his looks and personality.
Nancy wrote: "I was wondering how Matthew could start over again at different universities when he looks 37."There are continuing students--and always have been. Also, he doesn't start over from the beginning. He's enters as a graduate student--someone who already has a degree. My advisor went back to get her PhD in her 40s!
Dawn wrote: "I noticed in all the books, characters have strong feelings about legacy (even the house!). Many characters save items such as books, photos, journals, etc. Is that art imitating life? What books, ..."Wow. Great question. I am the keeper of most of my family's assorted stuff--quilts from the 1890s, a wooden box from the Revolutionary War with some of my great-great grandfather's documents (he was on the Committee of Correspondence), farm ledgers from another ancestors farm in Ohio in the 1840s, photos, etc. I do have a few memory boxes filled with items from the past four years of my life, as they have been fairly amazing. :) I think I will be happy to be remembered for my books--both non-fictional and fictional--and for the students I've taught over the past two decades (and hopefully for many more decades to come).
Jennifer wrote: "Hi Deb,I have another question. I know Satu is a weaver, as is Goody, Abraham, and Diana. I am wondering if each has an affinity toward a certain element. I know Diana has fire and water in her v..."
Yes, weavers do have strong leanings towards elements even though they are not a "firewitch" per se. So Abraham is inclined towards earth. Stephen was inclined towards air and water.
Sarah wrote: "Hi Deb, I'm a bit late to the trilogy, just finishing Shadows, but I love the series nonetheless! I was wondering, what are some of your favorite fiction novels?"I don't honestly read much fiction. I do have soft spots for the Mayfair Witches series by Anne Rice, Possession by A. S. Byatt, and the historical fiction of Dorothy Dunnett. I tend to reread those!
Deborah wrote: "Dawn wrote: "I noticed in all the books, characters have strong feelings about legacy (even the house!). Many characters save items such as books, photos, journals, etc. Is that art imitating life?..."Thanks! Quilts are an amazing thing to have handed down.
Beth wrote: "Thanks for the Trilogy - I just finished a 2nd read thru. Have you considered picking the story up and writing more - perhaps as the twins reach teenage years?"I haven't made any definite plans about what I'm going to write next. At the moment, I will just say that the twins are quite tiny and not very interesting! :)
Melissa wrote: "Hi Deb! Thank you for writing an amazing story!
Will you be writing more stories with these characters?
Thanks, again!
Melissa"
I'm not sure yet, Melissa. We all need a bit of a break first!
Wow. You are a fast typist, Deb! Thanks so much for joining us and answering so many questions.
I hope your morning wasn't too harried. No one likes to start the day at the dentist!
We're thrilled that you shared some of your afternoon with us.
I hope your morning wasn't too harried. No one likes to start the day at the dentist!
We're thrilled that you shared some of your afternoon with us.
Which creature are you most like? Witch, vampire or daemon?
Sarah wrote: "Hi Deb! I recently saw your Instagram posts with the #dianabishop for the day. What would you recommend to a reader as a must see or do in London? Also do you have any recommendations for reading w..."I would recommend you spend some time in the true City: the square mile around St. Paul's and the Tower of London. There's not much left to see of Diana and Matthew's London, but it's still fun to imagine. There is a video of me leading a walking tour here: https://youtu.be/t3nruTVx25U. As for reading, why not read one of Ben Aaronovitch's magical mystery books? His website will tell you more: http://www.the-folly.com/. I also loved Victoria Schwab's recently published book about four magical London's, A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC. Have fun!
Last two more Deb,So Satu was inclined to Fire?
And Abraham was able to make the Golum out of dirt partly because of his inclination to earth?
Caitlin wrote: "Hi Deborah! I love this trilogy. And not just because I'm an Anglophile. Or because as a new rower it was a delight to rediscover that part of the first book when I re-read. Or because I'm also a y..."Hi Caitlin! I definitely didn't plan on having a Gallowglass at the beginning. He literally waltzed in at the beginning of SHADOW and refused to leave. Once he was in the room, all writing screeched to a halt because I had to stop and reconceptualize EVERYTHING from that moment on. I picked up some threads in the first book, attached them to Gallowglass, figured out his entire life's backstory, and only then could I finish the story of Diana and Matthew.
And yes, I will definitely keep writing. I'm just not sure what I'll be writing, yet!
Jennifer wrote: "Deb,I feel like the "happily ever after" thing is kind of a fairy tale in real life but I wanted to thank you for ending Mathew and Diana's story as a happily ever after. As much as I love being ..."
I'm a believer in happily ever afters. :)
Dawn wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Lesley wrote: "How did you choose Matthew's name? In SON, he is Matthew Roydon from the School of Night, an obscure historical figure. Was this character named Matthew, knowing wh..."All of the Spotify lists are on my website, under each book's pulldown menu. Click on music. :)
Jean wrote: "Which creature are you most like? Witch, vampire or daemon?"Human. Honestly. :)
Jennifer wrote: "Last two more Deb,So Satu was inclined to Fire?
And Abraham was able to make the Golum out of dirt partly because of his inclination to earth?"
Yes, and yes! Good job!
Thank you everybody for your GREAT questions. This has been a wonderful way to recover from four hours of dentistry. Thank God for modern medicine, since there is no vampire around to help me with my teeth. All I could think of was if Matthew was here, he could get me out of this jam and on my computer in time! Thanks also for hanging in there and waiting. Hope the answers were helpful, and that you continue to enjoy your journey with All Souls! X Deb
Deborah wrote: "Thank you everybody for your GREAT questions. This has been a wonderful way to recover from four hours of dentistry. Thank God for modern medicine, since there is no vampire around to help me with ..."
Thanks so much, Deb.
I'm not sure I'd even wish four hours of dental work on Peter Knox! I hope you have a swift recovery.
I'm sure we all agree that this "chat" was well worth the brief wait.
Thanks so much, Deb.
I'm not sure I'd even wish four hours of dental work on Peter Knox! I hope you have a swift recovery.
I'm sure we all agree that this "chat" was well worth the brief wait.
Thank you Deb! Looking forward to the ASL convention in September.
And a huge thank you to you--our terrific re-read community!
Thank you for posting your thoughtful questions and for joining Deb's Q&A.
Have a glorious day!
Thank you for posting your thoughtful questions and for joining Deb's Q&A.
Have a glorious day!
Deborah wrote: "Caitlin wrote: "Hi Deborah! I love this trilogy. And not just because I'm an Anglophile. Or because as a new rower it was a delight to rediscover that part of the first book when I re-read. Or beca..."So interesting to hear this from your perspective! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question!
Looking forward to see what you write next.
Wasn't able to log in live yesterday and only now getting round to reading all the answers. What a great Q&A, thank you Julie for organising it.It was good to get more insight as to what Deb wanted to bring to us in the books. I really hope she writes more from this series. Surely Gallowglass needs a happy ending.
Readsandeats wrote: "Wasn't able to log in live yesterday and only now getting round to reading all the answers. What a great Q&A, thank you Julie for organising it.It was good to get more insight as to what Deb want..."
Yes, thank you, Julie! You did an awesome job organizing the Q&A. :)
I enjoyed reading Deb's responses to the questions.
Melissa wrote: "Readsandeats wrote: "Wasn't able to log in live yesterday and only now getting round to reading all the answers. What a great Q&A, thank you Julie for organising it.
It was good to get more insigh..."
Thanks, Melissa!
It was good to get more insigh..."
Thanks, Melissa!
Yesterday was so fun. Thanks for arranging it and for Dr. Deb Harkness to be willing to participate. I will miss this book group when the re-read is complete.
Will there be a re-read group for The Book of Life?
I can't find the Spotify playlist ... what is it listed under?