The Next Best Book Club discussion

Kathe, I'd love to hear about how you transitioned UtP from novel to stage.

What role did you play in the process? What was it like to see it all come alive?

http://underthepoppy.com/events/

It was an incredible amount of fun, and an incredible amount of work. I recruited the amazingly talented creative team who made the Under the Poppy book trailer - animator and artists, film director, musician (I dare you to listen to "In the Dark" and not hit replay) - and we had such a good time making it that I knew there was more fun to be had. And the story is so theatrical, it really begs for a performance.

So I wrote a series of scripts, and cast some wonderful actors, and we made "chapters", pop-up events that led to the story itself - you can see them here. https://vimeo.com/57094898 It all led to recreating the Poppy as an immersive evening in a period Victorian house in Detroit. Guests dressed in their finery and came to sport with the puppets (including a life-sized version of the Chevalier, ooh la la), and applauded their hearts out as Rupert and Istvan found each other once again. We sold out our run, and have been implored ever since to reopen the brothel . . . Here's a look at that show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KanH5...

What was it like? Exhilarating, exhausting, nerve-wracking, and SO much fun.

Hi! I apologize, I am still at the beginning of the book mostly because the writing style was a bit different for me. I know once I get deeper in I will love it as I usually do this type of book. But my question is, do you think this vocabulary has hindered this book or maybe the opposite and has attracted people to read it since it is a bit different than the average book of this period.

Hi, Kathe! Thank you so much for such a lovely book! I'm not quite finished with it due to taking my time reading it but I can already tell it's going to end up on my 'favorites' list. I can't wait to finish it and read the rest of the books.

Authors are always saying they 'had' to write this or that character was begging to be written and I was wondering what made you decide to write this book? Why this time period and the puppets?

The show looks like fun! I would love to see a theatrical performance of Under the Poppy. Kathe, did you write it hoping to see it performed live? Do you think more performances will be preformed in the future?

Have you thought of turning it into a movie.It would be great to have something unique to watch,

I am just getting past the part that many had trouble with. I can invasion staying up to finish the book. I am now filling in what I just could not put together. The book is like an intricate puzzle that shape and picture are not devulged. I haven't read a book like this in a long time. I thank you for this tapestry.

Laurie, I'd imagine that this book's voice has put off some readers and attracted others; that's part of the fun of reading, finding the books that speak to you.

And Rosanna and Rhonda, I agree, it would be great fun to have more Poppy performances, or a movie, or an episodic show. I didn't write the book with performance uppermost in mind, but it's such a theatrical story - and the puppets would surely approve. :)

Hi Tiffany! Very glad to hear you're having a good time at the POPPY!

All of my books start with a character, a mind's eye view, and for the POPPY books it was Istvan and his mecs, a man of the road, and not of our time. And immediately afterward Rupert came, and I knew they were connected: and with that connection, the story started taking shape and coming to life.

I instantly loved the theatricality, the puppets' pretense, acting out stories within stories within the larger, ongoing story of the novel. And I loved their ferocity and their fearless will to play; and the way those characteristics are also at the heart of Rupert and of Istvan, individually and as a couple.

The real "why" of it is always a mystery, but joy is the key: if it's a pleasure to write and I can't wait to get to the desk every day, then that's a book I need to be writing.

Kathe, If you had to pick one Poppy character, which one would you say is most like you?

Hi Chris! "Tapestry," what a wonderful description - thank YOU.

If I had to pick . . . With characters, I have to feel for all of them to be able to find their humanity, to make them real - even the poisoned ones, maybe especially the poisoned ones. Otherwise, the characters are just cut-outs, just plot constructs, and they don't involve us or surprise us or make us fall in love.

In POPPY, Lucy is a wonder, and Isobel, too. I have much respect for Miss Decca - who wouldn't, she's unstoppable. And Rupert's courage, and his honor, and his shy deep heart . .. But if I had to pick one character to go have a drink with, and make some trouble with, it has to be Istvan.

Thank you so much for spending time with us and answering our questions!

Tiffany, very welcome - the questions are fun! Now I have one for you guys: did the puppets, les mecs, intrigue you or scare you or make you laugh, or . . .?

I loved the puppets and would love to see them on the stage.

Les Mecs intrigued this reader.

The puppets loved them.

Puppets of any kind (but most especially marionettes) freak me out. Perhaps I watched too many b-movies that contained demonic killer dolls when I was a child!

However, the puppets in UtP were intriguing, indeed!

Puppets are alive and not-alive, and maybe that's where that uncanny feeling originates - they're from us, they can imitate or comment on our behavior, but they're not like us: they're constructed and they're eternal, the most durable actors of all. You can't outlast them, you can't destroy them - they can spring back to life in a moment, all it takes is a human accomplice, and voila! Which is why they make such perfect partners for a protean fellow like Istvan.

I agree with Lori, puppets creep me out worse than clowns! But that didn't keep me from readin.

Loved the puppets, creepy at first. But grew to love them.

The mecs salute you all!

"And sure enough, he begins to collect what he needs, the wood and the wires, the scraps of silk and leather, the pointy white pebbles that Lucienne dislikes to see, why she cannot say, but They are his teeth, Madame . . . wooden or not he needs to eat."

The puppets were a surprise for me. I don't think I've ever read a book that involved puppets (other than Pinocchio!). It was a fun addition to the book and am intrigued with the puppets. I looked at the puppets as a way for Istvan to escape the reality.

In my opinion, the sign of a good book is how I feel when I'm not reading it and right now I can't wait until I get back to reading it tonight. The characters are so in depth that I don't imagine I'll easily forget their book.

And Pinocchio is a much tougher story than the Disney version taught us, right?

Delighted to hear that you're eager to get back to the POPPY, Allison!

I am still reading. It is a book you can't skip a word or you miss something important. Sorry I did not participate very much. Mi did like the book.

Hey guys! This is it the day we say goodbye to Kathe, who has been a phenomenal guest this week.

Before we break away completely, get those final, last minute questions in!!!

Kathe, I'd like to personally thank you again for being so wonderful! I think I speak for the others as well when I say I've really enjoyed getting deeper inside the book with you. I read quite a few years ago and still remember the way I felt when I was reading it.

I am so glad you made the books available for our members and had the time to be here with us!

Thanks, everyone, for the questions, and for coming to visit the brothel. And thank you, Lori, for the invite!

If you're game to follow along with the gentlemen of the road, Istvan and Rupert's story continues in THE MERCURY WALTZ and concludes in THE BASTARDS' PARADISE. The books are available as ebooks and as hardcovers here: http://www.roadswell.com/kathe-koja.html

And if you want to toast the Poppy, here's a delicious way to do it! http://thenextbestbookblog.blogspot.c...

Thanks again for such an awesome book!

Very welcome, Tiffany, glad the POPPY spoke to you!

Where is Gottsburgh? Is it a real place? I couldn't find anything about it online, so I'm curious. Thanks.