SDQ (+3!) Interview with Hilary McKay.

I adore Hilary McKay's books.  I re-read them again and again and recommend them regularly.  When I recommend her, though, I'm always at a loss when my patrons ask me to name a few readalikes.  I can never think of any, because Hilary McKay writes like... Hilary McKay.  All I can tell them is this:  Her books are special.  If you don't read her, you're missing out.

I've read three separate interviews with Hilary McKay in which she was asked if the Casson stories was based on her own childhood.  (She's the oldest of four girls.)  They weren't.  They're imaginary.  And before you ask, same goes for the Conroy sisters.

So I didn't ask about that.  But, as I'm out of new Hilary McKay books to read (until Forever Rose is released in the States -- get ready to moan and groan -- in Spring '08!), it occurred to me that the next best thing would be to read some of Hilary McKay's favorites:

I came across this quote about your childhood reading online somewhere: “I anaesthetised myself against the big bad world with large doses of literature.  The local library was as familiar to me as my own home.”  What books were your favorites as a child?

I read everything, from the obscure (Mary Plain, Gwynedd Rae) to the ridiculous (Gene Stratton Porter). 

Childhood: All the classics, L M Montgomery (loved Emily of New Moon).  Ursula Le Guin, Tolkien, Joan Aiken, Rosemary Sutcliff, Elizabeth Goudge, Eleanor Estes, Nesbit, Kipling, Blyton, Arthur Ransome, John Masefield, all of those plus many more.  As much Natural History as I could get my hands on.  And I find it hard to say which books were childhood books, and which teen. 

I remember giving my mother a Christmas list of books when I was eleven: Lord of the Rings, Ring of Bright Water (Gavin Maxwell), To Kill a Mockingbird, Brave New World and something else I can’t recall.  She bought me them all and wrapped them up in one fat wonderful parcel.

Are there any that you still go back to as an adult?

I go back to them all.

I’ll try not to burst into tears as I ask this, but:  I’ve heard that Forever Rose (due out Spring '08 in the States) will be the last of the Casson books.  True? If so, what’s next? (Actually, heck.  If not, what’s next?)

Yes, yes!  Hurray!  Hang out flags, light rockets, open a bottle of something that fizzes, it IS the last (and by far the best, to make up for Caddy Ever After- by far the worst).

In explanation as to why I am stopping:

1. I am a great believer in: Stop While You Are Ahead
2. (First rule of child rearing): If you love them let them go.

At present I am writing a slow and loving sequel to Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess.

Here are the standard SDQI prompts:

Book(s) currently reading:

Why Alfred Burnt the Cakes- David Horspool, The Wool Pack- Cynthia Harnett

Music in current rotation:

Van Morrison, Jeff Buckley, Pavarotti is in the car.

Literary crush:

Apsley Cherry-Garrard who wrote (and lived) The Worst Journey in the World.

Pet peeves:

Litter. Big cars.

Current obsession:

Happily I am at present obsession free.

Guilty pleasures:

Bread and honey, unplugging the phone.

Favorite piece of trivia:

I leave that to Rose.  She recites trivia all through Forever Rose.

Irrational fears:

Airports (actually that might be an irrational hate).  Low ceilings especially in lifts.

Favorite word:

Serendipity- never used it in my life.

Today's other SBBT interviews are as follows:

Mitali Perkins at Hip Writer Mama
Svetlana Chmakova at Finding Wonderland
Dana Reinhardt at Interactive Reader
Laura Ruby at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
Holly Black at Shaken & Stirred
Kirsten Miller at Miss Erin
Julie Ann Peters at A Fuse #8 Production
Carolyn Mackler at The YA YA YAs
Jordan Sonnenblick at Writing and Ruminating

Comments

[Erin]

Great interview, Leila! The Little Princess sequel sounds quite intriguing....

[Kelly Fineman]

Part of me is with you on the disappointment about Forever Rose being the last book, but another part of me thought that Caddie Ever After was the end (since she'd run out of children). So I'm excited that there's one more coming. Squee!

Great interview, Leila

[Jules]

Aw, Jeff! I miss him so.

Thanks for the interview. I'm the lamest person ever for LOVE LOVE LOVING the first book about the Cassons yet STILL not having read the ones after it. Must remedy that.

[Colleen]

Oh Jules - you must read the other books immediately!!! I loved them all (even Caddy) and I'm so excited about Forever Rose.I thought she was done as well so this delights me.

And good job on this Leila - it was a such a coup to get Hilary; I'm so glad you made her feel welcome.

[Charlotte]

I love the list of Hilary McKay's favorite books! And thanks for the news of the new book--I'm tempted to have my relatives ship it over from Engalnd. Spring is a long way away.

[elswhere]

Thanks so much for this interview! I'm also intrigued by the Little Princess sequel, as that's one of my favorites ever.

And what wonderful news about the new Rose book!

[Hilary McKay]

You lot are lovely!

[TadMack]

The first Hilary McKay book I read was The Exiles, and I thought it was charming. And then I read Indigo's Star, and that was the END. I went on an all-out HUNT for her books. I can't say that I want the Casson's saga to end, but I do think that it'll be intriguing to see what she does with The Little Princess.

[Vivian]

I just picked up two of Hilary's books last week. Now I can't wait to read them.

[Jen Robinson]

I'm fascinated by the Little Princess sequel idea.

[Aljay]

I hadn't heard of Hilary McKay before this blog. Now I've read everything of hers I can find, and I was thrilled to see this interview. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[Lady S.]

What a wonderful interview! I'm an equally enormous Hilary McKay fan, and there's not that much out there to read about her. Currently reading The Wool Pack was the final touch to the joy. Was just discussing how amazing that book is.

So can't wait for Forever Rose...

[Emily]

I am 13 and the Casson family's BIGGEST fan!
I'm in love with each character, they're all so unique and different. It
makes me so sad thinking about the LAST book..ever.
I'm the last book cause I just want them to go on forever...

[Chloe]

I am just just just the biggest fan ever of the casson family! The books are so warm and friendly and she has a totally unique way of writing. Every book is just amazing and i absolutley love all the characters - if you haven't read the books, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?? READ THEM, seriously.
Just one thing, she's posted on her official website that a book she wrote - CADDY'S WORLD - has been accepted for publishing. I am soooo excited because of this, but is it another book in the series or is,like, a guide to the Casson Family world? Whichever, I can't wait!!!