Hello hello!

[MSReader]

Hello, Ms. Howe!

Your book is an absolute page turner (when I can break away from the task of taking care of my 3 young children) and I am thrilled to be a part of this book discussion.

I apologize if this question has already been asked but I read that you have ancestors who were involved with the Salem witch trials and I wonder how that has affected your course of study and your writing.  Also, how important do you think it is to have personal ties to your writing?  Would you have been as compelled to write the story if you did not have Howe as a last name?

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to our inquiries!! ;o) 

[MSReader]

I used to live in Omaha and we had volunteer tomatoes on a few occasions!  ;o)

[Katherine_Howe]

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Readingrat wrote:

First off, thanks for writing this wonderful book.  I've really been enjoying it.  Several things have struck me while reading, the first was how different historical research is from scientific research.  I never thought before how something like local dialects could send your research off onto unexpected tangents.  For me, a good measure of the success of a historical fiction work is how interested I get in finding out exactly where that line between history and fiction lies.  That's one reason why it's so nice having you here to answer all our questions.

Most of my musings have already been addressed here except one.  In the story, Connie tells Chilton, that there are "no surviving colonial North American examples of any book or instructional text for practicing witchcraft".  I was wondering not only if that statement is a fact, but also if you know whether any book or instructional text exists from colonial times for practicing and preparing folk medicine (which, in 1692, seems to be considered not all that much different from witchcraft).

Thanks,

Elaine

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Hi Elaine!

Thank you so much for reading Physick Book. I'm glad that you have been enjoying it.

It is true as far as I know. But as you point out, describing the difference between a so-called spell book and a book of home remedies and even food recipes is difficult to impossible. That difficulty is one of the ideas that I found so attractive for the plot of Physick Book. 

There are definitely extant colonial books of herbal remedies and suchlike. I even stumbled upon a fun modern compendium of some of these things, which I believe was called "The Compleat New England Hus-wife." Includes a recipe for a "sallet swung in a collinder."

I found the book at a local gift shop in Salem, but here's the full title in case any of you want to hunt it down.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Compleat-New-England-Huswife-Englands/dp/1889193216

Meanwhile, antique remedy books do turn up every once in awhile. Check out this article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/4937924/Book-of-household-remedies-and-spells-from...

"Dragon's blood," while sounding very witchy and arcane, is actually a term for red tree resin. 

KH

[Katherine_Howe]

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kpatton wrote:

Ms. Howe,

It was fun to read that another reader and her daughter are participating in this on-line discussion.  My daughter and I are both loving your book.  She has finished it and I am very close. 

My question has to do with all of the mother/daughter connections in your book.  When you started your book did you have a sense of how you were going to connect Connie to the past through all of the mothers and daughters?

I also wanted to compliment you on this book.  You had me from the first couple of pages and since then I haven't wanted to put it down.  I hope you have a second book in mind.

Kathy 

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Hi Kathy!

Thank you for your question, and for your kind words about Physick Book. I'm so glad that you and your daughter have been enjoying it.

Before I started writing I actually wrote out a total mothers/daughters genealogy for Connie. I'm not going to say too much, lest I inadvertently spoil something, but yes, it does exist, I know everyone's name, birth date, death date, occupation, spouse, age at marriage, everything. A couple of elements appear in the Milk Street house that do not receive an explanation in Physick Book, which I did in part because I wanted to revisit them in a subsequent story. 

A second book (not the direct Dane family sequel, but one closely related in style and theme) is already underway. I hope that you'll join me on Facebook or on the mailing list at connieandarlo@gmail.com for news when it is finally ready!

KH

[Katherine_Howe]

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MSReader wrote:

Hello, Ms. Howe!

Your book is an absolute page turner (when I can break away from the task of taking care of my 3 young children) and I am thrilled to be a part of this book discussion.

I apologize if this question has already been asked but I read that you have ancestors who were involved with the Salem witch trials and I wonder how that has affected your course of study and your writing.  Also, how important do you think it is to have personal ties to your writing?  Would you have been as compelled to write the story if you did not have Howe as a last name?

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to our inquiries!! ;o) 

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Hello MSReader!

Thank you so much for reading, and for your question. I hope that you have been enjoying the story so far.

Learning about our Salem connection from my aunt when I was a teenager definitely took up a little corner of my mind when I was younger. However, I only started to think about it in a more structured way when my husband and I moved back to Essex County when I was an adult. One of the fun things about genealogy is that it provides a way to relate to a given period of history that feels more personal. History can sometimes feel difficult to relate to, and having a familial tie is one way to push through that difficulty.

That being said, I also feel that by the time we are talking about ten generations ago, what we mean when we say "family" becomes pretty fluid. At that point we are all directly descended from over a thousand people, and that number multiplies many times when we add connections like aunts and uncles, cousins, and people connected by marriage. At that level, it makes more sense to me to talk about our common humanity, which is what the Salem episode is really about.

I think that is one reason that it didn't seem to make sense to put Elizabeth Proctor or Elizabeth Howe in this story (though EH has a fleeting cameo). I wanted a character about whom I could be completely free to imagine. Also, I feel like the Salem story is one to which all Americans belong. It's *our* story, not mine.

KH

[MSReader]

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Hello MSReader!

Thank you so much for reading, and for your question. I hope that you have been enjoying the story so far.

Learning about our Salem connection from my aunt when I was a teenager definitely took up a little corner of my mind when I was younger. However, I only started to think about it in a more structured way when my husband and I moved back to Essex County when I was an adult. One of the fun things about genealogy is that it provides a way to relate to a given period of history that feels more personal. History can sometimes feel difficult to relate to, and having a familial tie is one way to push through that difficulty.

That being said, I also feel that by the time we are talking about ten generations ago, what we mean when we say "family" becomes pretty fluid. At that point we are all directly descended from over a thousand people, and that number multiplies many times when we add connections like aunts and uncles, cousins, and people connected by marriage. At that level, it makes more sense to me to talk about our common humanity, which is what the Salem episode is really about.

I think that is one reason that it didn't seem to make sense to put Elizabeth Proctor or Elizabeth Howe in this story (though EH has a fleeting cameo). I wanted a character about whom I could be completely free to imagine. Also, I feel like the Salem story is one to which all Americans belong. It's *our* story, not mine.

KH

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Katherine,

I thank you for your reply and I am, indeed, enjoying the novel!  In fact, I am sure I will be able to finish it on the plane tomorrow when I head down to Houston to visit family without my own kids in tow.... ;o)

What an interesting perspective you have brought forth!  I was in your neck of the woods once for one of my favorite cousin's weddings and I remember the strong feeling of history around the area.  I am one of those people who can spend hours pouring over historical grave markers.

I guess it would be fairly easy to become engrossed with the history of the witch trials, especially having it in your ancestry.  I, for one, am grateful that your aunt brought your ancestry to your attention!

 

[adopted1]

Good Day Ms Howe.....to answer your question about my school; yes and no. I was the lone female in Rindge and in the last graduating class in '76 before they combined Rindge and Latin together. I went to Cambridge High and Latin in my Freshman year and found it to be a little overwhelming. So one day I strolled across the library park and asked to speak to the Headmaster (Mr. Sweeney). Long story short, the beginning of my sophmore year was at Rindge!!! Woo-hoo!!!

Let's see...hmmm...Connie should be Meg Ryan and Sam should be Nicohlas Cage!!! Janine - Olivia Dukakis. Chilton - Kelsey Grammer. Liz, Deliverance and Mercy I'm still working on!

One more thing, I must say that while the story kept me engaged in the characters and the goings on, I could see, feel, hear, taste and smell the same things they did. I felt the anger, uncertainty and the sadness in the courtroom. I felt the freedom and the love developing in the lake. I also could feel the fog and smell the saltwater. Maybe because I grew up with it, I don't know. The same fear that Connie, Liz and Sam felt at the door of the Granna's house that night had me breathing heavy and scared as well. I love to read stories where my heart races for the excitement and cries for the sadness. I can't wait for the sequel..HURRY HURRY HURRY!!!

[ann1009961]

Hello Ms. Howe,

Thank you for the opportunity to have a "first look" at your book.  I am beginning Part II and was quite happy to see that you are already thinking of writing a sequel, as I am enjoying this story very much.  The characters seem so real and your writing is so descriptive it's like I'm actually "there."  My daughter (15 and a voracious reader) is anxiously awaiting for me to finish your book so I can pass it onto her.

I have a couple of questions.  First, who designed the cover for the ARC?  Will it be the same when the book is available to the public?  

Second, what are YOU reading right now? 

[Deltadawn]

Hi Katherine,

I would like to add my thanks to you and your publisher for making your wonderful novel available to us at the Barnes & Noble First Look Book Club. It is truly a great opportunity to have a chance to read this fabulous novel, discuss it here, and correspond with you.  I am enjoying the book immensely and have difficulty putting it down - and having read your reply to biljounc63, I am even more intrigued!

Best regards and thanks again!

Dawn

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Katherine_Howe wrote:

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biljounc63 wrote:

HI Katherine,

I am enjoying your book and am glad to be part of this program.

I am reading the book according the the club schedule so my question may be answered later in the book. I know that this book is a work of fiction. I am from the western part of the MA. Many of us are having an issue with the state or Granna's garden having vegetables (tomatoes etc.) ready for harvest in a garden that had been abandoned for 20 years in early June on MA. This is so far from being plausible that I shook my head as I read it. It was just too perfect to have dinner just waiting to be harvested on the first night at the house Was this done on purpose or was it part of your plan for the mysterious house that time seems to have forgotten?   

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Hi biljounc63!

I am glad that you are enjoying the book so far, and hope that you continue to enjoy it as it unfolds into Part II.

It seems like the question of the garden at the Milk Street house has been the subject of some controversy. Here are a couple of thoughts.

Whenever I am reading a novel, I try to pay close attention to how the author manipulates details. Usually if something really jumps out at me in a novel, some sort of startling or telling detail, I will pay closer attention to it on the grounds that it might have something important to tell me. Maybe it is meant to elucidate a particular aspect of a character's personality, or maybe it's supposed to clue me into a coming turn in the plot. It's true that there are a lot of things "wrong" at Granna's house. It's also true that the kinds of things that are off kilter there are not necessarily the kinds of things that two bookish, dorm-dwelling city girls would immediately notice. Or perhaps they would sense that something was sort of off, but they wouldn't be able to put their fingers on it exactly.

If we assume that the "offness" of the Milk Street house is supposed to stand out to a reader, if not quite to Connie and Liz, then what do you think those wrong-seeming details are trying to say?

KH

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[Immortal-Spirit]

Hi Ms. Howe,

I absolutely loved your book!  This is my first First Look book and it couldn't have been a better start.  The subject matter and your writing.... 

I do hope you write more books....looking forward to them. 

[nlsamson]

Katherine:

I know this is totally "off topic", but thank you for reminding us how incredibly magical they all are. 

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Katherine_Howe wrote:

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hookedonbooks09 wrote:

Hi Katherine!  Welcome and thank you for writing your book!  :-)

I have two questions:  The first is, how much of Arlo did you take from your own dog, if anything?

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Hi Hookedonbooks 09!

I am so glad that you are enjoying the book. I promise to get right to work on another one!

Arlo, as you surmised, draws a lot of his traits from the dog in my life: his size seems to change according to his mood, he is simultaneously incredibly brave and a complete wimp, and he somehow manages to be everywhere in the house at once.

I found him on a website that specializes in magical dogs, called Petfinder.org

http://www.petfinder.com//index.html

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[gl]

I agree with MYK - the accents work well in the book. They slow down the reading a little but force you to pay more attention to the details. Plus, it allowed for the Mercy/Marcy clue which was very well done.  As you feel that you're solving the mystery, the pace picks up and you are totally hooked, unable to put the book down.  

I found myself carrying it everywhere - the post office and library lines, on the NYC subway, coffeeshops.  

Thank you again for this wonderful book - and congratulations on a job so well done!

GL

[gl]

Hi Katherine,

I enjoyed the garden descriptions in the book and hearing about your new garden in Marblehead! 

I'm not much of a gardener yet - living in the Upper East Side in Manhattan, I could only grow a few orchids and a jade plant.  But I recently tried mint from seed and have found that they are able to flourish, even just on the fire escape.    If you ever choose to plant mint, keep it in a container.   As a very enthusiastic container gardener with little experience in anything else - I loved the magical Marblehead garden!

GL

[gl]

Hi Ms Howe,

I second Ann1009961's question.  If you don't mind, what books are you currently reading? Which writers do you particularly enjoy or admire or draw inspiration from?

When will your second book be published?  You mentioned it won't have Deliverance's direct descendants but will have a similar historical period.  Any other hints on your next book?  Can't wait to read more from you!

Thank you again for sharing the novel with the First Look Book Club! 

 GL

[adopted1]

Awe c'mon Ms Howe....it would be a wonderful to continue with the Dane family in your next book. Maybe we can find out some more secrets to Granna's house, a developing relationship with Connie and Sam. Maybe Connie ends up teaching a History course based on the 1600's and her students get involved with some of the adventures. Whatcha think, hmmmmmm? Sounds like a page turner to me!!!

[AnnJE]

Hi Katherine - I am thoroughly enjoying your book.  I am descended from Susannah Martin (nine greats grandmother) and John Proctor (ten greats uncle) - perhaps we are cousins!!  I have always wondered about life in Salem in 1692 and thought I would have to write the story.  Not being an author though I am so glad you did.  Thank you!

I am forcing myself to stay on schedule or I would have finished the book...

[Fond_of_Books]

I am not very far into the book, but I am enjoying it very much. I love the feeling of being transported into the past, and your book does just that.

I have a few questions that (I think) have not been asked yet. Have you always been interested in writing fiction or were you inspired by the topic? I write for fun, mostly writing short stories for kids. I'd love to write something more involved and less about my life, but I haven't been inspired with an idea yet. Did the storyline come to you as you did your research or did you sit down and think hard about what would work? I really enjoy your style of writing. It is smooth and easy to read, but full of colorful details. Thank you so much for sharing your book. I can't wait to finish reading.

Nicole 

[DSaff]

Wow!Has your family done a family tree yet? This is so interesting. And, I agree with you on the book. I am holding to the schedule but it is so hard! =)

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AnnJE wrote:

Hi Katherine - I am thoroughly enjoying your book.  I am descended from Susannah Martin (nine greats grandmother) and John Proctor (ten greats uncle) - perhaps we are cousins!!  I have always wondered about life in Salem in 1692 and thought I would have to write the story.  Not being an author though I am so glad you did.  Thank you!

I am forcing myself to stay on schedule or I would have finished the book...

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[DSaff]

ROFL  I see "hint, hint, nudge, nudge" here, and am with you on your suggestion.  =)

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adopted1 wrote:
Awe c'mon Ms Howe....it would be a wonderful to continue with the Dane family in your next book. Maybe we can find out some more secrets to Granna's house, a developing relationship with Connie and Sam. Maybe Connie ends up teaching a History course based on the 1600's and her students get involved with some of the adventures. Whatcha think, hmmmmmm? Sounds like a page turner to me!!!

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[AIRKNITTER]

Ms. Howe, thank you so very much for sharing this enthralling story. It is beautiful written; I could see the woman, smell the herbs. You brought all the characters to life. My only wish is that the book didn't end. There must be more for you to share with us regarding the lives of Connie and Sam, and of course, Arlo. To be honest, I pictured the "older" couple to be Deliverance and Nicholas. So, again, thank you for writing this book for us.