Interview & Giveaway: Each & Every One by Rachael English

Each & Every One

Each & Every One is one of the best books I've read and reviewed last year. I can't recommend this book enough, I loved it. Rachael English is the presenter of a popular Irish Radio show and she's now also a well known author. Each & Every One is her second novel. Her first one, Going Back, is on my favorites list as well. I think her books are very special and she has such a great way with words. I've interviewed Rachael English and asked her some questions about Each & Every One. 

The Questions

1) How did you get the idea to write a story about children who are used to luxuries and now have to give it all up?

To a large extent, the book was inspired by my day job as a journalist and radio presenter. For several years, my working life was all about the recession. But when you're working in daily journalism, you tend to focus on the big picture: losses, loans, politicians, bankers. So I wanted to write a story about how individual lives are affected by all of this turmoil. Obviously, it was people like Carmel, one of the book's main characters, who lost the most. At the start of the book, she’s trapped in a decrepit apartment block, surrounded by people who have no work. I was also fascinated, though, by families who’d grown up surrounded by plenty - and who suddenly had to fend for themselves. I found myself wondering what it’s like to be at the heart of an affluent family when the funds dry up. Do you really get along - or has money been papering over the cracks? 

I'm conscious that this all sounds quite dark, but I hope the book also contains quite a bit of humour.

2) What would you do when all of a sudden all money would be taken away from you?

What an interesting question. I guess we all like to think that money doesn’t matter, but if I woke up one morning with no income, no house and no way of finding another job, I don’t know how I’d cope. 

The Shine children cope very badly. Until their parents’ funds run dry, they have no idea how fortunate they have been. They've taken everything for granted. And then, overnight, their lives are upended. As Vee says, ‘Life without money is so damn complicated.’

3) What are the three most important things in life for you?

I reckon my list is similar to most people: family, health, peace of mind. If your family are OK, and your physical and mental health are OK, you have some chance of tackling whatever life throws at you. 

4) Life isn't always fair is a great theme to read about, why did you choose this theme?

It was something that struck me forcibly during the depths of the recession. Many people who had never lived extravagant lives were really suffering. At the same time, some people who had enjoyed very fancy lifestyles were able to walk away from their responsibilities. To begin with, the Shine children try to carry on as though nothing has changed, and it takes some of them quite a while to face up their dishonesty.

5) Tara is different, she's the sibling most readers will probably love the most (myself included), what do you think of her?

I’m very fond of her, but she's far too innocent for a twenty-nine year old! At the start of the book, everybody is taking advantage of her good nature, so she too has lessons to learn. I also enjoyed writing about her life as a reporter. In a lot of fiction, journalists are either exceedingly glamorous or the personification of seediness. Just for a change, I wanted to write about the day to day life of an average hack like Tara. Also, her job gives her an opportunity to meet people like Carmel and Ben, and it's through her friendship with them that she comes to see the truth about her own life.

6) What was the most fun part to write and/or to research?

I loved writing about the ‘other family’ - Carmel, Ben and Jenelle. Carmel is such a resilient person who faces up to the worst that life brings her with grace and good humour. Ben is great fun because he's so bright. Also, being only eight years old, he has a licence to say whatever comes into his head.

Then, at the other end of the spectrum . . . there’s Vee, the most spoilt woman in Ireland. Writing her character was a wonderful challenge because even though almost every reader hates her at the start, she does go on quite a journey.

As far as research is concerned, the part that had the biggest impact on me was the time I spent in the Dublin District Court, just watching the comings and goings. I found it so fascinating that I’m now determined to write a book set in the courts.

7) Each & Every One is in my top 3 of best novels I've read last year. What are your three recent favourites?

Thanks you so much, Suzanne. If we're talking about books published this year, I loved Weightless by Sarah Bannan. It’s about teenage bullying, so I suppose some would call it YA, but I think it goes beyond that. I also enjoyed The Long Hot Summer by Kathleen MacMahon. My favourite book of the past few years is Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

8) Being truthful and having secrets are important aspects of the story, what's your favourite kind of secret to write about?

Complicated ones! I’ve given this quite a bit of thought recently because I’m writing a book about an adopted woman who goes in search of her birth parents. She also has to face up to a number of her own secrets, and she begins to wonder whether sometimes people are better off not knowing the truth.

Giveaway

One very lucky reader of my blog will receive a paperback copy of Each & Every One. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.