Ask Michelle
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
Dark Matter
Christopher writes...
Dark Matter came recommended to me after reading Felix Blackwells book Stolen Tounges because it was the scariest book iv read. Dark matter surpassed it, you really brought the isolation and claustrophobia. Fantastic read and I can't wait to read Thin Air.
My question is, in Dark Matter it's mentioned you visited remote areas. I was wondering if you have any books or plans to write about your own travels from your own perspective?
Michelle Replies...
Dear Christopher, I'm so glad that you enjoyed Dark Matter! You're right, I have visited many wild and remote places while researching my books, but I've never written about my travels, except in the odd article for a magazine or newspaper. Many readers have asked whether I've plans for such a book, but at the moment I don't. I think that's because I prefer weaving stories about places, rather than keeping to my own experiences of them. Thanks for getting in touch - and I do hope you enjoy Thin Air! With best wishes, Michelle
Please help! Some of your audiobooks are unavailable
Joseph writes...
I love your books, I have dearly since a tender age, and when I found out later in life they were narrated by Ian McKellen I was flabbergasted and went to listen to them and was in awe at the first books narration. But for some reason Spirit Walker and Soul Eater aren't available in the US (?) or for some reason they can't be found, bought or streamed anywhere online. The 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th+ etc. are available but not Spirit Walker and Soul Eater which are ones I have a lot of nostalgia for. Frankly it felt like a miracle when I found out Ian McKellen narrated the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, and it feels as though two different childhood wonders collided together, I'm in love with his readings of all the other books. Is there anyone you can talk to or anything you can do to make the Spirit Walker and Soul Eater audiobooks available? Is there a reason why these two audiobooks aren't available or is it just some kind of marketing error we can't have those 2 books but all the other ones? I hope so, I really want to hear them. It's heartbreaking I can't get them and I'm desperate, lol. I would pay a lot of money to just have the two in audio form but I literally can't get them anywhere.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Joseph, I'm delighted that my stories have meant so much to you, and I do really feel for you about not being able to get hold of the Spirit Walker and Soul Eater audiobooks . You're not the first reader to point out this anomaly. Unfortunately, I can't explain this, and to date, I haven't been able to get an explanation (or remedy) from my publishers. I can only suggest that you write to them and add your voice to those of the other readers who have asked about this. I'm so sorry that I can't help - and thank you again for getting in touch. With very best wishes, Michelle
Wolf Brother
Tyler writes...
I don’t have a question, but I wanted to thank you your books really helped me through a difficult time in my life. Starting with wolf brother when I was very young that series really helped. It also inspired me to write my own books and I am now writing screen play scripts And I just wanted to thank you you’re an amazing author and I just can’t thank you enough
Michelle Replies...
Dear Tyler, What a lovely message to receive, thank you so much. I'm delighted that my stories have helped you in the past. It's also terrific to know that you write, too. Thanks again for getting in touch, and may your own writing go from strength to strength! With best wishes, Michelle
Nostalgia, esteem and questions
Valentina writes...
Dear Michelle,
I’m writing from Italy, my name is Valentina and I’m 28 years old. Like other young people around the world, I grew up with the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. I was 7/8 years old when I read Wolf Brother for the first time, I fondly remember the moments when, impatient and excited, I would wait for the bookstore clerk to give the new book of the Chronicles to me...strictly always pre-ordered. I would caress the cover and foretaste the return to the Forest, beginning to read it already on the way home. I have always loved reading, but the Chronicles have a very special place in my heart. When I heard that three more sequels were coming out, I immediately got copies in the original language, and I just finished reading Wolfbane: the ending moved me, and left me with an unspeakable nostalgia... it's impossible to let go of stories and characters that are so beloved. In fact, I have reread the first six books almost 15 times up to now....
I think there is no higher and more satisfying goal for a writer than to touch people's hearts with their stories. You have done that, and I would like to express all my esteem and appreciation to you. Now that I have grown up (and become a biologist!) I appreciate even more the care, the deep research and practical experience behind each and every book. The reconstruction of customs and traditions, the flora, the foods, the techniques of manufacturing weapons, shelters and clothing, the hunting techniques...the Forest, and all the places that are the background to the Chronicles, feel like real places because of the care and mastery with which they were written. The people who populate it, like those in the real world, are good, not so good, people who grow and improve, or people who are firm in cultivating their dark side with no possibility of redemption. Dealing with such diverse cultures, with themes that even touch on misogyny or religious extremism, and with brotherhood among the nations always being the winner, makes these books 9 little treasures in which the reader grows along with the protagonists. That's another reason I love your books so much: I've seen Renn, Dark, Wolf and Torak become themselves. Renn is my favorite, an example for all young girls, for me the character who has grown the most and found inner peace by embracing herself and accepting her gifts. That’s so wonderful.
Books have always been my best friends. If I could get into one, I would certainly choose the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness saga. I know that for you 9 books are enough and that you are satisfied with the ending, but I hope that sooner or later there will be space for more stories. I would like to see what Torak's life would be like without Wolf, who won't be a young wolf anymore in a few years, to see Torak and Renn grow up further. I am grateful to you for not making them parents, and I agree with the motivations behind this choice...I can imagine them, at most, as foster parents. There is always an ambivalence in Torak between belonging to the human world and loving Renn and belonging to Wolf and his world. Which would he choose if he were forced to make a choice? If he had not met Torak, would Renn still have ended up walking away from life with the Ravens in favor of a more solitary one? I would love it if you wrote about this. I always hope for a comeback, as do so many other fans. Never say never!
With all my esteem and affection,
Valentina
Michelle Replies...
Dear Valentina, What a marvellously uplifting message to receive when I sat down to check my messages after a rather long and wearisome day! I'm absolutely delighted that my books have meant so much to y0u (I love the idea of you as a child, stroking the cover of each story when it came out), and I'm glad that Wolfbane proved a fitting end. I agree with you that there's nothing more satisying for a writer than to touch people's hearts with their writing - although in my case, it's not something I ever set out to to. I simply write because I have to. Having said that, though, it's marvellous to know that my stories have affected readers so deeply. As for future stories, you know the characters so well that you've raised some really thoughtful and tempting questions about what might happen next. For now, though, I shall have to leave them to readers to follow up. Again, thank you so much for your perceptive and deeply considered comments - and I hope you continue to enjoy being in the Forest. With very best wishes - and all possible good fortune in your career as a biologist - Michelle
Where are the books actually set?
Ed writes...
Hi Michelle just a quick one from me - was wondering where the series is actually set? Most of the books suggest Scandinavia but book 3 makes me think the Arctic/ Inuit parts of Canada with polar bears and the white fox / sea otter clans - these animals are only found in North America
Am I right in thinking there is no definite location and the books are loosely based on the Nordics / general arctic parts of Canada etc
The idea of clans seems Native American to me at least ...
Michelle Replies...
Dear Ed, The stories are indeed set in northern Scandinavia (which does have Arctic foxes and polar bears in its more northerly regions, if you include Svalbard; and the stories don't actually mentioned sea otters, ie the big ones found off the coast of Alaska and British Columbia, just normal otters of the type found in Scandinavia). But you're also right that I've changed the landscape, such as coastlines, rivers and mountains, to suit the story. For instance, I've brought the Far North closer than it actually is in the real Scandinavia. As for the clans, I've taken elements of their beliefs from the beliefs of hunter-gathers all over the world, but I've drawn particular inspiration from the Inuit and from the people of the Pacific Northwest, such as the Haida and Tlinglit, to name just two. (You'll find more details in the Author's Notes at the end of each story.) Thanks for getting in touch! With best wishes, Michelle
Wolf Brother series
Callum writes...
Hello,
My name is Callum, I am 10, I am a HUGE fan of your books and I would like to know if you are going to write another book after Wolf Bane.
Thank you very much,
From Callum.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Callum,
I'm really glad that you like my books! But I'm afraid that after I finished Wolf Bane, I just knew that I wouldn't be writing any more books featuring Torak, Renn and Wolf. You see, I think nine books is a satisfying number, and as I'm really pleased with how Wolf Bane turned out, I prefer to end it there, rather than letting the series trail off into stories that aren't quite as good, and might get repetitive. Also, I think I've developed the main characters - not only Wolf, Torak and Renn, but others, such as Dark - to the point where readers can imagine for themselves how their lives will turn out, and what might happen to them. As for the future, the books which I write after Wolf Bane are going to be ghost stories for grown-ups (maybe you'll enjoy them when you're a bit older). I'm sorry to disappoint you. But perhaps re-reading some of the Wolf Brother stories will help; I know that many readers enjoy doing this.
Thank you so much for getting in touch. With very best wishes, Michelle
Wolf Brother!
Sarah writes...
Hi,
We have just finished reading 'Wolf Brother' and we loved it! We were actually in tears at the end when we thought Wolf had died - but we were so relieved to find out that he had survived!
We haven't had chance to read any of your other books yet but we have some questions.
- Did Torak go back to the Raven Clan to be reunited with Renn?
- Do you think Finn-Kedinn knew that Hord had helped to create the bear?
- What was your inspiration for the book?
- Do you have any pets? We would love to think that you have a wolf or at least a dog named Wolf!
Thank you so much!
Miss Hodgson and Year 5 and 6
New Brancepeth Primary Academy
Michelle Replies...
Dear Miss Hodgson and Years 5 and 6,
I'm delighted that you enjoyed Wolf Brother! Now to your questions.... To find out whether Torak goes back to the Raven Clan, you'll have to read the second book, Spirit Walker. But here's a clue: there are nine books in the series (including Wolf Brother) - and they ALL feature Torak, Renn and Wolf. As to whether Fin-Kedinn knew what Hord had got up to, that's a great question, but it's one I shall leave you to answer for yourselves. Concerning my inspiration for the book, if you go to my website wolfbrother.com and click on CAVE, you will find a video I recorded a few years ago, called "Why I wrote Wolf Brother" . That tells you all about it. And finally - nope, I don't have any kind of pet. You see, it wouldn't be kind to keep a wolf in Wimbledon, where I live (and anyway, wolves prefer to live in a pack) - and although I love dogs, I prefer just meeting other peoples' dogs on Wimbledon Common, when I'm out for walk. That way, I don't have to be responsible for a dog and take it for a walk every day, and I have more time for writing.
Thank you again for getting in touch - and I hope that you continue to enjoy my stories, and reading in general! With best wishes, Michelle
Class reader
Jess writes...
Hi Michelle,
I am a teacher of Primary 7 and I have used Wolf Brother with previous classes who have absolutely loved learning about mesolithic man and all the rich learning that goes along with the story. I am keen to use it again, but this time encourage the children to analyse the text a bit more, looking at literary features you use to enhance their own writing. Do you allow classroom use of this text on whiteboards/ photocopying extracts? I have a large class and although we have a few copies, we cannot afford to buy for the whole class.
Many Thanks.
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Jess, thanks for your question. Under the Copyright Act, you're allowed to copy extracts for non-commercial use, as long as they're not too long (as in, for example, entire chapters) - so I think what you're doing is fine. I'm so glad that the children are enjoying Wolf Brother, and that it's helping their understanding of the Mesolithic! With best wishes, Michelle
Dark Matter (effusive praise!)
Julia writes...
Not a question but I did just want to leave this as a comment, I just finished Dark Matter which I picked up from a recommendation somewhere online (possibly a horror tiktok account?) At any rate, I read it all on my back deck today, a sultry summer afternoon, and I remembered all the time I spent in the Arctic for biology fieldwork when I was younger, and how exhilarating and curious and lonely it could be, and I felt it in my chest for Jack, who was in love with Gus and didn't know it, and what a comfort a beloved dog is, because my lazy best beast friend is lying next to me, occasionally barking to let me know about passing neighborhood cats, but not ghosts I'm pretty sure. I couldn't put this one down, thanks so much for writing such a vivid, gripping story, I enjoyed it so much.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Julia, I'm so delighted that you enjoyed Dark Matter - and particularly that it evoked your time spent in the Arctic! And what an evocative picture you paint of your "lazy best beast" lying beside you. Thanks for getting in touch. With very best wishes, Michelle
Life and tragedy have got in the way, but I will never give up: my gratitude for your writing and request for a testimonial if I am lucky to be published.
Karen writes...
Dear Michelle Paver,
Forty years ago, I read Frazer's "Golden Bough" and sat in on a year's archaeology lectures at Sydney University. I have had a fascination with archaeology, mythology and anthropology ever since. I have been most interested in prehistoric sites of early agricultural civilizations particularly those of ancient Greece. I have an interest in theories about Atlantis. When I came across your Gods and Warriors series, I fell in love with your lyrical writing. You are a gifted author. I am sure I would have loved your children’s books if I had been born in the late 1990’s not 1960.
Like you I am fascinated by shamanic practices and admire your courage writing from the point of view of a spirit animal. I began writing in earnest about twenty years ago, about a matriarchal society coming into contact with patriarchal tribes. My first two books of a trilogy are set a little earlier than yours, in the Mediterranean region.
I have learned a lot from you. For example, how to create well-drawn characters, with their many strengths and flaws, making them realistic and appealing. I also like that your novels are well researched and dive straight in with compelling stories, vivid scenes, and meaningful themes. I love your descriptive prose which allows me to imagine myself as one of your characters.
I would be moved if you would permit me to share a galley of my book with you when it's published--if it’s published. Any comment would be appreciated, and I wouldn’t assume you’d provide a blurb. I have connected with, and benefitted from, your work very much so it would be an honour to share.
Thank you for reading this email, and I look forward to hearing from you, even if your reply must be brief. I can only imagine how busy you are.
Kind regards,
Karen McFarlane
Michelle Replies...
Dear Karen, I too first read the Gold Bough about forty years ago, and it made a huge impression on me. I'm delighted that you've enjoyed Gods and Warriors, and that it has helped you with your own writing. Your stories certainly sound intriguing, and are clearly something you feel strongly about. As for reading your work, I'm afraid that I shall have to pass that up, as I simply don't have the time. You won't be surprised to learn that I often get similar requests, which I also have to decline - particularly now, when looking after a 92-year-old mother means that I'm barely getting time for my own writing. But thank you for getting in touch - and may your writing go from strength to strength! With very best wishes, Michelle