Webchat with Kathy Lette, now Wednesday 17 April, 1-2pm

How can we post a question before we read the book? (that's not meant as a question)

Question: Did you really call your son Merlin?!!!

Quite unusual isn't it.

I thought he was called Julius, or are you asking Geraldine?

No. The boy in the book is called Merlin. (looked on Amazon)

Oh yes. It must be a made-up name for the book.

That's good.

Do you like to read comic novels yourself? If so, who are your favourite authors?

Have always loved your books - ever since I read about the "zipless fuck". Really looking forward to reading the new one. Is it as raunchy as the others, or have you grown "more mature" like many of us have had to?

did you find doing your book a different experience to doing your comic novels?

Do you think you have to experience the kinds of things you write about before you can write about them or do you just let your imagination go wild? Were you a 'lively' girl at school? I bet you didn't hide your light under a bushel!

I haven't read any of your books yet. I will make a point of finding some and seeing what you're all about!

It's good to have you here Kathy. Great books by a great author.

So you've jumped off from David Bowie's SciFi film, The Man Who Fell to Earth, with your own title? That suggests a certain ambivalence and, possibly, a sense that your son's progress is in the hand of the gods. As yet there are no known diseases, only names, for psychological/emotional tendencies (a guess) such as Asberger's and Autism, although the drug companies would probably love to nail a name so they can prescribe drugs at great cost to mask the real symptoms. Just where do you stand with this? What are your hopes for your son? Sympathetic and very interested.

Love your books Kathy, the first one I ever read was Nip 'n tuck ,it had me hooked. I have just finished the short read Love is Blind.
What made you decide the time was right to write this book based on your son? Was it easier or harder to write than your other books, given the circumstances?

Hi Kathy, I'm a fan, not least because you always have such a broad smile in photos (I've never read any of your books). I wondered whether you've read Debra Ginsberg's book "Raising Blaze" about life with her autistic son. I read it some time ago, having picked it up in a charity shop before I even knew that something like autism existed, and found it very moving. I don't have any personal experience and know very little but am interested in learning more about autism.

My son has been through a very difficult time after he lost his job, and somehow he found his way to volunteering at a centre for autistic children (which is not remotely connected to his profession). Working with the children there has made him very happy and has kept him sane. He loves it and continues to help there despite being back in a job. All the best, Kathy.

Hello Kathy. I will be honest and admit that I haven't read your comic novels. I am very interested in this new book as I have taught boys with Aspergers. My question is how do you cope with the need for what can be a rigid routine?

The best and craziest job I ever had was teaching boys with autism in a social communications base attached to a mainstream high school and my question is this: who is the "normal" one, you or your son?!

Is the novel actually based on your son or simply on your experiences with him. If it is based on him, does he recognise himself?

i look after a gentleman with Aspergers, have you found that people dont understand that their is a problem even though the sufferer looks well.

Kathy Lette is a great author. I've read many of her books and tend to think of them as escapist, holiday reading so I'm interested in finding out about this seemingly more serious novel. I wonder if it was painful to put those experiences with Julius and his Aspergers to paper or somewhat cathartic.

I have a 31 year old son who sees the world differently to the majority of people. He recently has decided that he is autistic although we have never had a diagnosis. Looking into this further I think that he is more likely to have Aspergers syndrome. I would love to read this book and would like to know how I can guide him towards getting a formal diagnosis, when every time I suggest something he thinks that I am controlling him.

Hi Kathy. Do you watch the Doc Martin series and if so what do you think of the main character? From your own experience and bearing in mind that Doc Martin is fictional does he display any noticeable signs of Asperger's?

Does Asperger's have different severities like Autism?