November - Book of the Month: The Nothing Girl and Little Donkey
A Year of reading with Jodi Taylor
It’s so long ago now that I can hardly remember writing The Nothing Girl, let alone why I wrote it. I do know I had the idea in my head for a long time before actually putting pen to paper. Originally, Jenny was running away from something – I had no idea what – and ended up at a weird farmhouse. Why and what she did when she got there was a complete blank.
In the meantime, I’d started the St Mary’s series. I don’t know if anyone’s noticed but Max can be a bit gung-ho at times – which was fine and great fun to write, but I feel very strongly that not all women are ninjas or superheroes. This idea went on to be fully developed in the Elizabeth Cage series and it worked well for her. A woman who definitely is a superhero – even though she doesn’t think so – but her reaction to the many crises in her life is to clean out her kitchen cupboards and shampoo the carpet.
I took that a stage further for Jenny. Nowadays women are very much expected to speak up for themselves but what happens to those who, for whatever reason, can’t. And have no one to speak up for them. Hence Thomas, the invisible giant golden horse who didn’t make the mistake of speaking for Jenny, but taught her to speak for herself.
Thomas was great fun to write. Slightly naughty and a major shopping addict. His delight at finding himself in the Rushford B&Q was such fun. Who doesn’t love a horse who gets excited over buckets.
And not forgetting Russell Checkland, of course – heedless but not heartless – and a much nicer person than he thinks he is. There’s something quite liberating about writing a character with no filter. Who utters every thought that crashes into his head.
You would think, among the chaos and confusion of Frogmorton Farm that Jenny would be completely swamped. Especially when the acoustically competent Marilyn turns up. Or Francesca sweeping through the door with another set of unreasonable demands, but no. It’s only at noisy Frogmorton that Jenny eventually finds not only her voice but her place in the world as well.
Enjoy …
Discover this funny, heart-warming tale of self-discovery from Jodi Taylor, author of the internationally bestselling Chronicles of St Mary’s series.
Nobody ever notices little Jenny Dove. Even her family call her the Nothing Girl. Isolated and alone, Jenny is about to end it all when she is rescued by Thomas, a giant golden horse only she can see.
Under his mischievous guidance, Jenny begins to think she might one day become someone. And when the charmingly chaotic Russell Checkland erupts into her life - together with his tumbledown farmhouse - and proposes a marriage that will save them both, Jenny is ready to take a chance.
Sadly, her new life at Frogmorton Farm doesn’t exactly sweep Jenny off her feet. There are leaking roofs, unpaid bills and so many buckets. And then, as a series of apparent ‘accidents’ unfolds, Jenny begins to worry this might not be a fairy-tale ending after all...
Little Donkey - a Christmas short story from the Frogmorton Farm series
I can remember the moment I decided to write Little Donkey – I was searching for an idea for a St Mary’s Christmas story and wondering if I could somehow insert a donkey into the St Mary’s mix – when I suddenly remembered I actually had a story with a donkey already built in. Marilyn from Frogmorton Farm. I could even think of a title – Little Donkey. I picked up a pen and got stuck in and I have to say, writing Marilyn’s professional relationship with the pregnant sheep in a church nativity play was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Note to self – try to get out more.
A Frogmorton Farm short story. Catch up with the characters from Jodi Taylor’s bestselling novel, The Nothing Girl, as they navigate the complexities of the local nativity play in their own, unique fashion.
It’s Christmas and Jenny Checkland is beset with problems.
The Vicar, who really should know better, has asked to borrow Marilyn the donkey for the nativity play thereby unleashing chaos on the already chaos-laden Frogmorton Farm.
Will Marilyn survive her bath? Will anyone survive Marilyn’s bath?
Robbed of her role as the Virgin Mary, what revenge is the Angel Gabriel plotting?
Why is that sheep so fat?
Will Charlie ever get to say his one line?
Can Marilyn be prevented from eating the Baby Jesus?
Where is Thomas, who promised he would be there?
And worst of all - will Russell, lost on the moor in a blizzard, make it back in time for the birth of his first child? Or even at all?
Next Month’s book will be The Something Girl plus Joy to the World and Storm Christopher
I have read and listened to all of your books many times, and they are each uniquely wonderful! I enjoyed reading your letter this morning about quiet heroes. As the protagonist gets quieter, the reader’s voice becomes louder as we root for Jenny and Elizabeth. Thank you very much for your rare and beautiful gift. Side note: Please write a Bachelor Establishment book 2! And I am impossibly hooked on your Elizabeth Cage series.
I absolutely love the Frogmorton series! To be honest, I love all your series. I even listened to the Bachelor establishment, and guess what? I. Loved. It. So thank you for all the weird and wonderful stories - they got me through some dark times, just like Thomas got Jenny through some difficulties. I think your books are my personal Thomas and Russell sometimes! :D