I don't often read middle-grade, but when I do, it's inspired by classic literature! Ellen Potter, author of The Humming Room, is swinging by today to chat briefly about her novel. (You can check out my review here.)
iding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life.
As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth.
Despite the best efforts of her uncle's assistants, Roo discovers the house's hidden room--a garden with a tragic secret.
Nicole: You got the inspiration for The Humming Room from The Secret Garden! When did you first read The Secret Garden? Why did it stick so vividly in your mind?
Ellen Potter: I can’t remember how old I was when I first read The Secret Garden, but I was pretty young. I loved it, and still reread it all the time. I think what I loved best about it as a kid was the character of Dickon. His life just seemed so perfect—wandering the moors with his pony and his fox, talking to robins. And I was also a fan of Mary because she walked around with messy hair, just like me.
N: Messy hair for the win! I have to say, when I first started reading The Humming Room, I was also weirdly reminded of Jane Eyre. Do you read any other classic literature? Any favorites?
EP: Interesting! And not too surprising since I am obsessed with the Bronte sisters. I suppose Wuthering Heights is still one of my favorite classics, even if Cathy and Heathcliff do have one insanely messed-up relationship. I also love Edith Wharton and Henry James, although I’m not sure I would have liked to hang out with those two. They seem like they’d notice all your failings—then write about them.
N: Speaking of favorites - not failings! - who is your favorite character in The Humming Room? (Not gonna lie; mine's the eccentric but thrilling river boy.)
EP: Mine too. Hmm, we seem to think alike. Yeah, if I were a twelve-year-old girl I would have fallen in love with Jack, no doubt. He’s kind of the perfect guy—mysterious and gentle. And he may not actually be human. That’s always a plus.
N: Would you have a secret garden in your house? What would be in it?
EP: My secret garden would be dead within a week. I can’t keep a cactus alive. So I suppose I’d plant my secret garden in the compost bin.