We chat with author Angela Tomaski about The Infamous Gilberts, which is a darkly funny debut novel about a wealthy, eccentric family in decline and the secrets held within the walls of their crumbling country manor.
Hi, Angela! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! Well, my cat died about eighteen months ago, so I’m still a bit upset about that. My favourite things at the moment are watching the birds on the birdfeeder and wandering around reciting sad poetry. I live in a tiny cottage in the middle of nowhere, feel much older than my official 48 years, love cats, still grieve for all the cats I have lost, and look forward to one day getting another cat.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
At school, I loved creative writing. For one assignment, I wrote a story about a witch with a magic mirror. I thought it was brilliant. My teacher thought it was okay. And that’s basically how things went on for thirty years until The Infamous Gilberts.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: I remember a little Ladybird edition of The Magic Paintbrush – the old fable about leaving work unfinished because once it’s finished it comes to life. This seems very apt, as I prepare to send my first book out into the world, not knowing what will happen to it or how people will respond.
- The one that made you want to become an author: My father wrote stories about me and my brothers and sisters. I remember standing at his desk in the lamplight, listening to him read, and suddenly finding myself outside on strange adventures. … That probably made a deep impression.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: There are so many. But it was a long time ago that I first read The Ballad of the Sad Café by Carson McCullers and it has stayed with me, very vividly, ever since.
Your debut novel, The Infamous Gilberts, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Dust, weeping, axe-wielding (I’m counting this as one word), rain, gravestones
Or (for fans of Enid Blyton):
Five Go Mad in Somerset
What can readers expect?
Readers of The Infamous Gilberts can expect a fairly dark study of a family struggling with the effects of fatherlessness. In my experience, that struggle goes on and on, so I couldn’t in good conscience give the book a very happy ending, but hopefully there is enough humour and love to balance out the darkness. Hopefully.
Where did the inspiration for The Infamous Gilberts come from?
The inspiration for The Infamous Gilberts came from a visit to the magnificent neo-Gothic mansion of Tyntesfield, shortly after it was acquired by the National Trust. I went on an early tour of the upper rooms and saw the bed in which the reclusive last baron was said to have died. On my next visit, the bed had been removed and a vivid link to the past was lost. So, I decided to write a story in the form of a tour, using a series of seemingly insignificant objects.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Where I was able to focus on the love between the characters, or their warmth, or hints of how they might have been if things hadn’t gone so wrong … those were my favourite bits. For example, near the end of the book, Hugo grows to love the woodlice that come out each evening and crawl around the kitchen. It’s little things like this that I enjoy writing most.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Finding time to write has always been the biggest problem, as I’m sure it is for many writers. Getting up early has always been the solution. Unfortunately, long term, I don’t think it’s very good for the health!
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
It has been a long and lonely road. Thankfully, I really love the process of writing. It is my number one go-to activity, my peaceful, quiet, happy time. Even without publication, writing has given me so much – helping me to remember and process events (I have quite a bad memory) and to escape a reality that has often been challenging. But this next step – sharing my work and having people to talk to about books and ideas – is extremely welcome and a huge relief.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on my next book now, and there are many others waiting in line in my mind.
Beyond writing, I hope to one day get another cat (as I mentioned before). My beloved Kittgenstein died while I was working on The Infamous Gilberts, and the book is dedicated to her.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
I’ve just discovered Sylvia Townsend Warner – Lolly Willowes was recommended to me by the lovely people at Sherlock & Pages in Frome – and now I intend to read everything I can find of hers. She also loved cats.
