Book club webchat with Victoria Hislop Wednesday 4 July 1-2pm

Hi Victoria,

What as it about Greece that made you want to write about it so much? I think the history is amazing. You definitely captured something very special about it in the book, I think.

Family was such an important part of this novel, Victoria. I was wondering how you find writing about families and how different members interact? I think it would be one of the hardest things to come up with.

loved The Thread read it in two days makes you want to there

I just finished "The Thread" last night. I found it to be a great read. I am in awe of the research that must have gone into this. I have been inspired to start another book on the subject of what happened to jews during the war. On a lighter note, when I'd finished "The Island" I told my daughter I'd been reading about a leper colony. She looked at me in amazement and said "I didn't know leprechauns were real people". Thought that would make Victoria Hislop smile!

thank you - what a fantastic read, and helps me to understand the history of Greece a little more. I loved the way that the title can be seen as a thread of fabric and a thread of life; the scrap of fabric that saved Katerina's life that she treasures seems to weave itself into her sense of family. I was sad that Katrina and her birth family could not be reunited, was this a comment on the harshness of diaspora, what happens to families and communities?

I gave The Thread to my daughter in law at Christmas, hoping to borrow it when she had finished it but couldn't wait any longer so got my husband to get it from the Library - had to wait a while as it was so popular. It is even better than Victoria's first two superlative offerings - The Island and The Return. It is very rarely that a book makes me emotional but many times in The Thread I had a lump in my throat, especially Katrina's search for her mother. How exceptionally thorough is the research done for these books - must take months and months. Has Victoria got another one in the pipeline because I am like an addict waiting for my next fix ?!!

Only just back from a short break and The Thread awaited me; thank you - washing put on hold!

The Thread I received with thanks love it and "the Thread of the Story"
the research must have been amazing have you made many friends from this research? and do you find once the storyline flows its easier or do you get "lag Times" and have to restart perhaps a chapter?

many thanks Gransnetters and Victoria

When Konstantinos writes the letter to Dimitri, although knowing his deep feelings of anger I had to take an intake of breath when I read that he "hoped every day to read news of your death........" The whole book is written with such a passion. I know that characters can appear real to the author and that they sometimes can take on a persona beyond that which the author intended. Did those feelings sometimes take you by surprise? Or do you deliberately "think" out the conversations and incidences that take place?

I did want to know what happened to the Muslim family who returned to Turkey..Victoria is this a new book do you think???

And what about the drapery shop and the man who was so kind to Katerina??

I loved The Island, started the Thread some time ago and was not getting into it, started it again at the weekend and I am hooked this time. I love her historical detail (something I never thought I would say!) and her characterisation is superb. I could feel the heat of the country as well as the fire in her descriptive prose. A wonderful book.

I have really enjoyed reading so much about Greece - and wondered what is your view on all the current events that have happened there since the book was published?

Also - am I allowed to ask what it's like to be married to Ian Hislop?

I enjoyed the book very much and would love to know what inspires you?

Hi Weather, you will love The Island I think it's my favourite book and I read lots of book. Just started The Thread and if everyone would give me peace I might be able to read it.

Thank-you so much for my copy of The Thread. I have just started it. From the other comments, it sounds as though I'm in for a treat.

Yes indeed... I have read the QK several times so The Thread is the better bargain! Off to bed now to read the last few chapters!

Nanaej, never mind, I think we got the best bargain after all! I`ll just have to buy The Queen`s Knickers instead.

Thank you SO much for my copy of The Thread. I was, like the others, thrilled when I received it and even more delighted when I started to read it. I find the characters so believable and am caring deeply about them and their story. I have never had the urge to visit Greece, although I have visited Cyprus and loved both the Greek side of the country and its wonderful people. But this book may yet change my mind.

loving the novel its such a compulsive read love it.thank you

number I was expecting a copy of Queens Knickers too but got The Thread! Maybe there has been a mix up at GNHQ?

Thank you Gransnet for 'The Thread'. I hadn't read anything by her before. I didn't like the first few pages of introduction and 'Prologue' and thought it would be a bit hard going.Have now read a third and am really enjoying it.Will read The Island next.

Just finished ...a really interesting book many thanks very well written...As I so enjoyed this my husband has just bought me one of the others by the same author the one about Crete "The Island "so I am really looking forward to reading that too..love to see a tv film if there is one...

Just finished the thread. It was a bit slow at first, but when I got into it I read it in a day.
Very good indeed!

Just finished The Thread. With the political and financial turmoil in Greece at the moment it's been a very topical read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.