Listed: Loretta Rothschild on Female Voices & Finding Grace

 

Loretta Rothschild has played a lot of roles in her life, but her latest role as 'author' is one that suits her down to the ground. From growing up in Essex listening to stories from her family around the dinner table, Loretta found a love for storytelling and finally hit a point a few years ago where she had to start writing. Her debut novel is 'Finding Grace' and embraces all matter of human relationships in a page turning read that leaves you cringing, crying, rolling your eyes and chuckling along.

We jumped at the chance to catch up with her after absolutely devouring the book, which author Jodi Picoult has described as having "one of the best first chapter cliffhangers ever". We CONCUR. (Stef said she has genuinely never been so shocked by a book - 'I physically reacted on the floor of my daughters' bedroom whilst trying to quietly read my Kindle whilst they fell asleep'.)

We chatted to Loretta about life, writing, perceptions of women, owning your own story and 'Finding Grace'.

Loretta Rothschild is Listed.

We spoke to Loretta before her visit to Guernsey for the Guernsey Literary Festival. Hear her speak on Thursday 30th April, 12pm at the Library. Tickets are here.

 

This is your debut novel - congratulations! How has the experience been?

Thank you. It has been both exhilarating and exposing. I wrote in private for such a long time, and then suddenly it belongs to other people. There is something rather magical about seeing a story that once only existed in your mind take on a life of its own.

 

"I reached a point where not writing felt worse than writing something imperfect."

 

Tell us about your childhood and earlier life. Did you always want to write?

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be at the adults’ table. I would rather hone in on a whisper or a hushed tone than play hide-and-seek outside.

I was born in Whipps Cross Hospital in Essex and raised for most of my life in Wanstead. I’d walk down the market high street from school, past buzzy cafes and pie and mash shops pulsing with life and laughter.

I spent my childhood listening to my Mother and my Aunty tell stories. My Mum would arrive home from work and more often than not open with, “You won’t believe what just happened to me.” I would drop any toy or TV show to hear the rest of what she had to tell me.

My Grandfather would sometimes sneak me into the betting shop under his coat whilst he gambled on the horses. I’d listen to him talk to his friends, terrified of getting him into trouble but being in a place I wasn’t supposed to be felt so exhilarating. I can still remember the smell of cigarettes in the lining of his coat and the red pens he would hand me under the table to pocket. Most of the time I had no idea what he was talking about, but I couldn’t stop listening.

We weren’t one of those families with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or fancy coffee table books. We told our stories aloud. It was the currency of our household.

I don’t think I always knew I wanted to write, but I think I was always gathering material without realising it.

Sounds familiar. We often say we have a book in us. But many of us don't write it. What made you start? And how hard was it? Do you have advice for anyone who wants to write a book? 

Starting is the hardest part because you are forced to confront the possibility that it might not work. I reached a point where not writing felt worse than writing something imperfect. It was challenging, particularly the discipline of continuing when inspiration fades, but it is also deeply rewarding.

My advice would be not to wait until you feel ready. You will not. Begin anyway and allow the first draft to be messy. That is where the real work begins.

We don't want to create any spoilers for readers, but it's hard as the twist comes very early on in the book. Where did the inspiration for the story come from?

It began with a question about identity and truth, and how well we ever truly know the people closest to us. I have always been fascinated by the gap between perception and reality. That tension became the foundation of the story and naturally shaped its structure, including the early twist.

 

"I think characters become believable when you allow them contradictions."

 

We love all the different relationships and the different versions of love in the book. Friendships, parent-child, romantic, platonic. You write them so well that they feel like you know each of the characters (I found myself thinking 'what's her game?' 'what’s she hiding?’ 'oh my GOSH, why has he done that?') We’ve seen it described as like ‘reading a movie’. How did you build such strong, relatable characters?

I think characters become believable when you allow them contradictions. People are rarely consistent, and often what they choose not to say is far more revealing than what they do. I spent a great deal of time thinking about what each character was hiding from others and from themselves.

It definitely showed! You travel a lot and must know many places well, but you set the book in Paris & London. Why?

Honor is half French, so she knew the city well. I would never advise anyone to write a book set in a town or country they do not either deeply love or deeply hate. You have to know the place you are writing about well, otherwise you are just making more work for yourself.

 

You have said you like strong female stories & voices. We saw an interview where you said your first draft was in the third person before you switched it to be Honor’s voice - which is so unique given the storyline (again no spoilers!). Tell us about that decision.

The story only truly worked once it was told through Honor’s perspective. Writing in the third person created too much distance for something so intimate. Her voice brings immediacy and tension, which felt essential to the narrative.

Well, you do write women very well so that makes sense. And you've also had many public roles that people could easily pigeonhole and create their own narratives about - (Loretta started in glamour modelling, got further attention in a long term relationship with a very well known actor before marrying into the Rothschild dynasty) 

What do you think owning your story and knowing who you are does for a woman? What has it done for you? Not only as a writer, but just as a woman navigating life?

It gives you a sense of freedom. When you are grounded in who you are, other people’s perceptions carry less weight. I have been placed into different roles over the years, but none of them fully define me. Understanding that allows you to move forward with a certain clarity and confidence. I have loved every part of my life. We evolve all the time, I hope.

 

"When you are grounded in who you are, other people’s perceptions carry less weight."

 

Which women have inspired you in your life?

I am drawn to women who are unapologetically themselves, whether in public life or privately.

Do you have a favourite book?

It depends on my mood, but it changes often, which I think is a good thing. I admire writers who explore emotional complexity with precision. I am a sucker for the classics.

What can you tell us about your next book?

It is still evolving, but it continues to explore relationships and the hidden layers beneath them. I seem to return again and again to the idea that what is unsaid often matters most.

To end, we always ask people what they love about living in Guernsey, but let’s switch it up for you - What excites you most about coming to Guernsey? Looking forward to an island escape? 

Any excuse to be near the sea!

 

You can hear more from Loretta at the Guernsey Literary Festival on Thursday 30th April at 12pm at the Guille-Alles Library. There are a few tickets left here.