When Selfridges met: Emma Thompson

— 29 August 2012

Emma Thompson photographed by Nick Haddow

EMMA THOMPSON

- British actress and author of The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit

Emma Thompson joins us at Selfridges London on 6 September to sign copies of her latest literary endeavour, The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit. She talks to us about continuing Beatrix Potter's legacy for the first time since the 1930s and her memories of the much-loved stories.

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The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit by Emma Thompson is published by Frederick Warne, September 2012 How does it feel to take on the legend of Beatrix Potter for the first time since the 1930s?

Very, very scary. But the invitation to do so came in such an interesting form that at first I didn't quite put two and two together. I was asked by Mr Rabbit personally to pen a new adventure for him and I felt it would be churlish to refuse. He didn't seem to be suggesting I attempt to wear the mantle of his creator, rather simply give him the opportunity to get up to some new mischief. I didn't get frightened until much further on in the process by which time it was too late.

Where did you start in composing the new story?

I began writing in Scotland, two summers ago.

Why did you choose to set the tale in Scotland, rather than Mr McGregor's garden?

Potter herself loved Scotland so much and was greatly influenced by its landscape. It seemed like the perfect combination of shared passions and anyway, when one is in Scotland it is difficult to think about anywhere else.

What are your memories of Beatrix Potter as a child?

I always adored the tales, every one of them. Even the upsetting ones. I was peculiarly attached to Ginger and Pickles. I found the policeman doll very sinister in a fascinating way. The Two Bad Mice made sense of childhood. Each tale gave me a different feeling in my stomach, but they were all jewels that I remain grateful for to this day. Very illuminating about the world, full of humour and wisdom and on occasion, delightfully upsetting.

How has being a mother inspired your story-telling?

Being a mother has taught me about the intelligence and wisdom of children. I suppose it's put me on my mettle. Like Potter, like P.L. Travers, I have never supposed that I am writing specifically for children. I don't know what that means. I wrote the new tale until it felt right to me, until each word sat comfortably in its place, looking snug. With short pieces that takes a long time. Being a mother taught me the patience, perhaps.

How have you found the transition from actress to author?

I'm not sure what you mean by transition. I sit down alone to write and when I act I get up, walk about and talk to other people. The disciplines are very different on the surface but I question more and more how different they are underneath it.

When I'm writing I am listening to other voices all the time. That may be, of course, because I require medication but I'm tempted to think it's because the act of creation is similar no matter how you come to it.

The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit by Emma Thompson is published by Frederick Warne, September 2012.

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