Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters (by Lesley MM Blume) is now one of my new favorite books. It’s about a lonely girl named Cornelia S. Englehart, the daughter of a VERY famous pianist. Cornelia wants to be herself, instead of seen as “Lucy Englehart’s daughter”.
Then, an elderly writer named Virginia Somerset moves in next door. She is like no other neighbor. Her apartment consists of a French drawing room, Moroccan sun room, Indian bed room, and an English library. Cornelia and Virginia begin to form a unique friendship as Virginia weaves tales about how she and her three sisters: Gladys, Alexandra, and Beatrice, traveled the world together. Virginia’s stories are unforgettable, as the book is itself. Some were sidesplitting hilarious, or had an important moral. I found myself enjoying the Parisian adventure best. I felt like I was there with the four audacious Somerset sisters as they explored England, France, Morocco, and India. I give this book 5 golden stars. Lesley MM Blume's debut children's novel is a must-read!
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Interview with Lesley MM Blume:
1) WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE "CORNELIA AND THE AUDACIOUS ESCAPADES OF THE SOMERSET SISTERS" AND "THE RISING STAR OF RUSTY NAIL"?
The ideas for both books simply occurred to me, so I sat down and wrote them. Writing CORNELIA made me both happy and sad, since both wonderful and tragic things happen in the book ... but I snickered and laughed the whole time I wrote RUSTY NAIL. I really loved the characters in RUSTY; they amused me a great deal.
2) WERE ANY OF THE CHARACTERS BASED ON PEOPLE THAT YOU KNOW OR YOURSELF?
Cornelia Englehart (from CORNELIA) was based on me ... and Franny Hansen (from RUSTY NAIL) was based on my mother as a child. Many of the secondary characters in both books were inspired by real people from my childhood.
3) WHAT WAS YOUR CHILDHOOD LIKE?
I somehow managed to be a gritty, wild tomboy and still have every Barbie ever produced by Mattel. I read all the time and we had cocker spaniels and labradors. My mother was a concert pianist. My father was a news producer, so I got to spend a lot of time in TV studios, which was always exciting.
4) DID YOU PLAY PIANO?
I did, but I quit taking lessons when I was in sixth grade. Franny's hilarious piano-lessons-gone-awry in the beginning of RUSTY NAIL were based on my own experiences.
Incidentally, mother told me that I would regret quitting, and she was right.
5) DID YOU ALWAYS KNOW THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE A WRITER?
No, I wanted to be a war reporter, believe it or not. But then I followed in my father's footsteps and went to work in a newsroom. I found that it wasn't for me. So I started writing fiction instead and I LOVE it.
6) WHICH OF YOUR BOOKS IS YOUR FAVORITE?
I love all of them, of course. But TENNYSON, which comes out on January 8, is particularly precious to me. This is unlikely because it's the first of my books that is not autobiographical in some way. Ironically, I feel that there's more of me in TENNYSON than either CORNELIA or RUSTY NAIL.
I'm curious how I'll feel about each when I am an old lady and sit down to re-read them.
7) DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN FRENCH BULLDOG?
I do indeed, and his name is Mister Kinyatta, after the French bulldog character in CORNELIA. I keep hoping that someone on the street will pass by us and say, "That reminds me of Mister Kinyatta from CORNELIA!" And then I'll get to say, "Why, this IS Mister Kinyatta!"
Ugh - that sounds really dumb, doesn't it.
His nickname is Yaya.
8) DO YOU HAVE CHILDREN?
Not yet! I actually just got back from my honeymoon. But I hope to have children and already know what their names will be.
9) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK/AUTHOR?
I don't know that I can answer that question. I like to re-read different books at different times. I read tons of biographies ... I'm addicted. My husband and I have a 2,000 book library and I collect vintage books. One of my life goals is to build up a truly magnificent library, like the one belonging to my character Virginia Somerset (in CORNELIA).
10) WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR KIDS WHO WANT TO BE AUTHORS?
Keep a journal. Write about your life in detail. This will train you to notice details in the first place. That's what makes someone a good writer: he or she notices things that no one else notices and describes them wonderfully. Write stories. Never get discouraged, never give up. Don't be afraid to write about sad things. And most of all: read, read, read.
On my Amazon blog, I often write columns that give advice to aspiring writers. The world definitely needs more good writers - especially women!!
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