Interview with Commonwealth Writers Prize 2010 Nominee Dr Marie Heese

I was sent Dr Marie Heese's book The Double Crown free of charge for an honest review.

You can see my review of The Double Crown here.

The Double Crown was nominated for the Commonwealth Writers Prze 2010. In fact it went on to win the best book of Africa. Unfortunately, Dr Heese did not win the overall prize. You can read about the winners here.

I feel very fortunate that Dr Heese agreed to be interviewed about her latest book and what it felt like to be nominated for such a prestigious award:

Interview

Q: What made you decide to write this story? Was it an interest in Egyptian history or Hatshepsut specifically, or something else entirely?

A: I have been interested in Egyptian history for years. Then I happened to find an outline of the Hatshepsut story in the middle of a book about Nefertiti and it grabbed my attention.

Q: What made you decide to tell the story from the perspectives of both Hatshepsut and her scribe Mahu? What were you hoping to achieve and do you think that you did achieve it?

A: I needed a second voice, partly for a bit of a change and contrast, but also so that there would be an outside point of view to support or contradict what Hatsh herself tells you. For example, Mahu confirms that her people loved her. He tells one what she looked like. Furthermore, he could go where she could not, eg to taverns, and he could gain info from sources other than those she depended on. And he could report her death and what happened afterwards. I think the twin perspectives work well.

Q: I really liked the title 'The Double Crown'. I think it made reference to many different aspects of Hatshepsut's existence. What did you mean by the title.

A: Ancient Egypt was a unification of two lands, the north and south. Each had a crown, which could be worn separately, or at times together, since the one fitted into the other. This was known as the "double crown". Then, she herself was first a queen as Thutmose II's consort, then a king. She also had two roles, pharaoh and wife/lover/mother.

Q: You have told me that it took you 5 years to research and write this book? Do you miss the characters and the writing process now?

A: No, because I'm deep into another one, also historical but set in a different country and period.

Q: The back of The Double Crown states that you are well known for having written an adult novel. Was writing a historical novel very different?  

A: Adult novel is a term used in the publishing industry to differentiate from books for children, which I have also written. My first adult novel was written in Afrikaans, and was also historical fiction, set in SA in the early 20th century.

Q: The Double Crown was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Prize 2010 and won the Best Book of Africa. How did it feel when you found out that your book was going so well in the Commonwealth Writers Prize?

A: I was absolutely astounded, since I had struggled to find a publisher for it. Also, naturally, delighted.

Q: Were you nervous pending the final outcome of the Prize?

A: I wasn't, because I was so glad to have made it in the first round. I actually expected Albert Wendt to win with his outstanding verse epic. However, I believe all the books in the final round were good, each in its own way. Each one was a prizewinner, after all.

Q: On a more personal level, what inspired you to be a writer? Did you have to work hard at developing your skill or does it come naturally?

A: I have always wanted to write (my Mother was well known as a writer in Afrikaans). I don't think writing ever "comes naturally" in the sense of being easy. No doubt one needs some talent, but it's a skill and a craft that has to be honed and it's hard work. Federer wasn't ever going to win Wimbledon because tennis came naturally.

Q: Where do you do your writing?

A: Wherever I can balance my laptop. Often in front of the TV while my husband is watching cricket. I look up when Sachin Tendulkar makes a century.

Q: What are you currently reading?

A: Michael Crummey's Galore, which was also a finalist but I hadn't been able to get hold of it before. It's excellent.

Q: What are some of your favourite books?

A: Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. The Sound and the Fury (William Faulkner is the writing gold standard, in my opinion.) Wild Swans, Three daughters of China, Jung Chang. John D Macdonald's books in the Travis McGee series.

Summary

Thank you very much for aswering these questions. I have had Wild Swans on my shelf for a very long waiting to be read, and you have reminded me to pick it up some time soon.

I very much recommend that people take the opportunity to read The Double Crown. It can be ordered at kalahari.net and will be posted from South Africa.

Booking Through Thursdays: Sensual and....

This week I will participating in Booking Through Thursday from 18 March 2010 and 25 March 2010.

Which do you prefer? Lurid, fruity prose, awash in imagery and sensuous textures and colors? Or straight-forward, clean, simple prose?

Definitely lurid, fruit prose, awash with imagery and sensuous textures and colours. I love language that I get lost in, language that is totally descriptive and full of depth. That's not to say that simple, straight forward language can't create the same quality story that sensuous writing can, but for me it is usually that more descriptive style of writing that really pulls me into the story.

Books and authors that come to mind as demonstrating the style that I like are books by Isabel Allende, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver and I am sure that there are many many more. I like the language itself to form part of the story if that makes sense, and for me, the more simple straight forward writing can't do that in the way that more sensual language can.

25 March 2010 - coming soon

Great Authors: JK Rowling

Great Authors is a fortnightly feature I have started to discuss my favourite authors.

*This is late, I know. In fact by my calculation it is a week late, but I figure, it's better late than never :-)

J K Rowling (aka Joanne Rowling)

Today I thought that I would dedicate Great Authors to JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, The Tales of Beedle the Bard (which I have reviewed here), Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Quidditch Though the Ages.

I have to admit that I like the rest (most) of the world have been sucked into this series. I don't know what it is exactly but the story, the characters and the magical world in which they live are so beautifully crafted that this series completely carries me away into the world it creates like not many other books have done before. Other series that I can think have had the same effect on me are LOTR by JRR Tolkein and the Clan of the Cave Bear series by Jean M Auel (although a little less with each book in this series).

What didn't become apparent until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was just how detailed the entire plot actually was; seemingly inconsequential things in earlier books turned out to have significant meaning, and I enjoyed seeing everything tied off so well. I have reviewed the final book of the series, in fact, it was my very first ever review (so excuse me if it is not very good). You can read the review here.

What the Harry Potter series has seen me do that the other series has not (although in all fairness this wasn't possible for LOTR), is to take a day off work each time the new book is released, queue outside the bookshop waiting to purchase the book, and then spend the day reading the book until it is finished. Yes, I know I am a super dag, but only Harry Potter would have me doing this.

I know that this isn't supposed to be a review of the series, it is supposed to be about JK Rowling. The reason I chose to discuss JK Rowling in 'Great Authors', however, is that she created this world for us. She has had an interesting life, which you can read about on the Internet. It includes achieving a classics degree and working as a researcher for Amnesty International, both of which I find rather impressive.

If anyone hasn't read this wonderful series, please try. I know that sometimes people have a tendency not to read something because of its popularity (I felt like that about Twilight for a long time), but I have never met anyone who has read Harry Potter and not enjoyed it. It is magical.

Great Authors: Bryce Courtenay

Great Authors is a fortnightly feature I have started to discuss my favourite authors.

Bryce Courtenay

Bryce Courtenay is possibly one of Australia's most popular Australian authors. I think the first Bryce Courtenay book I ever read was The Power of One (which I read in high school), and there is no doubting it - it is absolutely amazing. I think that I can honestly say that is the only book that I have never been able to re-read. I have re-read every book on my bookshelf at the very least once (except for my newer books obviously). I have tried to re-read The Power of One and just haven't been able to because it is so powerful and emotional that I have never felt up to tackling it again.

I quickly moved on to the sequel, Tandia, and from there just started reading the rest of his books. I remember at one stage when I was still in high school, I went to a book signing at the local shopping centre with Bryce Courtenay. I remember feeling quite star struck, and he said to me "Don't take shit from anybody". It has had a lasting impression on me.

I own many of his books:

• The Power of One
• Tandia
• Jessica
• Tommo and Hawk
• Solomon's Song
• White Thorn
• The Potato Factory
• The Persimmon Tree
  

I have also read April Fools Day, which is a special book Courtenay wrote about his son's battle with hemophilia and later AIDS as a result of a blood transfusion. It moved me to tears on several occasions.

What I like about his books are that the stories he writes are totally epic. You are completely drawn into the story until you can't get out.

I do have to be up front though and say that over the years my enthusiasm for his works have waned almost completely. I would not buy a book of his again. In fact, the last few books of his that have come into my possession were because they were gifts. My problem is this - he releases at Christmas time each year almost without fail.

Whilst when I first started reading his books it felt as though he was writing for the love of writing, now it feels as though he is writing for the love of money. Perhaps I am just being a bit too cynical - but what perfect timing - releasing a book each Christmas like clockwork which he knows will sell well because of his popularity. It is this element of Bryce Courtenay that has completely turned me off him.

Having said, I would encourage people to read some of his works, particularly The Power of One and April Fools Day. Both of these remain special works despite my opinion of the author.

Bryce Courtenay has lead an amazing life, including being banned from his native country of South Africa for starting a school for Africans. His life is worth worth reading about. You can read about him here at his website.

Have you read anything by Bruce Courtney? What do you think? Please leave a comment.

If you would like to share something about your own favourite author on your own blog, just leave a link in the Mr Linky below so that everyone can have a look.

Great Authors: Margaret Atwood

Great Authors is a fortnightly feature I have started to discuss my favourite authors.

Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood is the third author that I am featuring on Great Authors, and one of my all time favourites. She is a Canadian author, and definitely worth looking out, particularly if you are participating in the Canadian Author Challenge hosted at Jennifer @ Mrs Q: Book Addict.

I have very rarely come across an author with such a distinctive style of writing. It is so descriptive, and I love that she tells the story by describing what is happening, rather than using a lot of conversation. She is the sort of author that delves so deeply into the characters minds that it can become hard to remember that you are a different person.

I often describe reading Margaret Atwood as like being on a roller coaster. Sometimes it can be so hard to figure out what is happening, that it is really frustrating, but when you finish reading it you have to sit back and marvel at the wonderful experience that you have just had. I don't know about you, but for me this is like a roller coaster. When I am on one, I am terrified and want to get off, but as soon as the ride is finished, the rush of adrenaline makes me want to get straight back on.

I have had many different reactions to her books.

• I read The Handmaid's Tale in high school, and didn't really enjoy it as much as I know a lot of people did. Perhaps that might just be because I had to read it, rather than chose to.


• The Blind Assassin feels like it was the first Atwood book I ever read, and I can definitely say that my love of her books can be traced back to this story. I just felt a part of what was happening as I read it which is very special.

She is also very varied - writing novels, short stories, poetry and non-fiction.

• The Tent is a wonderful collection of short stories, all well written and with beautiful messages that make you think beyond what you have read.


• The Penelopiad is also wonderful. It is a short novel, telling the story of Homer's Odyssey from Penelope's perspective, and that of her maids. It blends in prose, and gives a totally new and fascinating spin on an old story.


• Payback is one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read, without a single doubt. It is a theoretical discussion about the concept of debt, not just financial debt, but non-financial too, and Atwood explores the issue of debt through literary discussion. It is this book that read me to read The Mill on the Floss which I reviewed when I first started Page Turners. I found her discussion of the concept of debt in The Mill on the Floss so interesting that I couldn't help but read the book for myself. I genuinely hope that more people read this book because I think it is very relevant in this day and age.

I own many many of her books and recommend them all:

• Alias Grace
• The Tent
• Payback
• The Blind Assassin
• The Robber Bride
• The Handmaid's Tale
• Bodily Harm
• The Penelopiad
• Moral Disorder
• Oryx and Crake
• Negotiating with the Dead - A writer on writing

I haven't finished the last book mentioned, and I think that I try and read it for the Bibliophilics Book Challenge that I am participating in this year.

What keeps me going back to Margaret Atwood is her distinctive story telling style and the way that she crafts her characters. You can't help but become part of the story so deeply and in such different ways that reading her is like a never ending journey that I hope never ends.

I hope that everyone gives Margaret Atwood a try.

Great Authors: Richard Flanagan

Great Authors is a fortnightly feature I have started to discuss my favourite authors.

I was introduced to Richard Flanagan in a rather unusual way. A lovely woman at work lent me a book to read; The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall. This is a seriously unusual book and one of my favourites of all time. What does this have to do with Richard Flanagan you ask?

Well, in The Raw Shark Texts, the characters make reference to 'Gould's Book of Fish'. I didn't realise until after I had finished The Raw Shark Texts that Gould's Book of Fish is in fact a real book written by Australian author Richard Flanagan. A friend of mine had read the book and recommended it to me. I loved The Raw Shark Texts and knew that Flanagan was an Australian (from Tasmania) and so I decided to give Gould's Book of Fish a read.

(I should perhaps say at this point that the two books are unrelated to each other. Gould's Book of Fish by Richard Flanagan is very different to the 'Gould's Book of Fish' referred to in The Raw Shark Texts).

Anyway, I found Gould's Book of Fish am amazing book. It was so well written, so real and so complex. It had a twist at the end like no other twist that I have ever read; one that leaves you questioning the reality of everything that you have just read. Is it real? I raved about this book for a long time and couldn't then help but read many of his others. I have read and own the following books by Flanagan:

• Gould's Book of Fish
• The Sound of One Hand Clapping
• The Unknown Terrorist, and
• Wanting.

He has other well known books, not least of which is Death of a River Guide, which I have not read yet but fully intend to whenever I get the chance.

Flanagan has won so many awards for his literature over the years and in my view (for what it's worth) deservedly. I can't put his books down. They are so vivid and well written, I think Flanagan has a very individual style of writing. The characters and the scenery draw you into the story to the point where you almost can't get yourself out again. The stories are often so bleak, particularly The Sound of One Hand Clapping, and yet there is always hope under the surface. Flanagan doesn't shy away from displaying the darker side of human existence.

If I were to be honest, I would have to say that The Unknown Terrorist would have to be an exception to my love of Flanagan's works (at least the one's that I have read). I have to admit that I didn't enjoy this one. It is very different to his other novels and I felt like it had solely been written to convey a political message.

Having said that, what I love about Flanagan as an author is his passion. I have seen Flanagan give talks on several occasions, I think I may have seen two or three times at the Sydney Writers Festival 2009, and I also saw him give reviews when I was a studio audience member at the ABC's First Tuesday Book Club studio filming. I think it was at the Writers Festival that someone mentioned the criticism he received for The Unknown Terrorist, and he accepted that he received criticism for it, but said that it was something that he had to write for himself. Despite my personal reaction to the book, I admire him for that.

He has also been very actively critical of the issue of territorial copyright, an issue that has been prominent in the Australian media of late. I really admire Flanagan's stance on the issue and I found his closing address, entitled "Losing Our Voice" at the Sydney Writers Festival 2009 very inspiring.

You can read his closing address here if you are interested.

I highly recommend this speech to all book lovers - whether you know much about the issue of territorial copyright or not, his passion for the written work is contagious.

So, that is Richard Flanagan, one of the best Australian authors there is, in my humble opinion, for what its worth. I hope that this introduces more people to Flanagan's books.

Great Authors: Isabel Allende

Great Authors is a fortnightly feature I have started to discuss my favourite authors.

The first author that I have chosen to feature is Isabel Allende. 

I don't remember the first book of Allende's that I read, but I have read quite a few and I really love them. One of the biggest things that I love about Allende is her style of writing. It is so individual and has such flair! The writing she employs is very descriptive, which I really admire (although I accept that it might not be for everyone. Allende writes her novel in Spanish, her native language, and they are then translated into English. I think that perhaps this also accounts for her lovely style of writing - I think that the Spanish language translates really well into English. 

The characters that Allende creates are exactly what I love in a fictional character; complex, flawed and real. She pulls you into their story until you are trapped in there with them, hoping for them and feeling for them. The events are focused on the daily realities of life as well as the bigger picture, giving us an insight into the characters true selves and existences. 

Her stories often progress through many generations of the one family, which is another thing about her writing that I love. Not only do you get to see the life of one particular character, but you get to see how people's lives are shaped by those that come before them and in turn influence the lives of those that come after them.

Following is a list of books by this author that I own and have read and can therefore highly recommend:

• Daughter of Fortune
• The House of Spirits
• The Infinite Plan
• Zorro
• Ines of My Soul

Isabel Allende is originally from Chile, but currently resides in the USA. She has lived a fascinating life, full of turbulence, hard times and most importantly love. She is related to Salvador Allende who is suspected to have been assassinated during the coup, and became part of the underground rebellion against Pinochet's violent dictatorship, helping people to flee the country to safety. Eventually Allende and her family had to leave Chile and live as exiles in Venezuela. She remained in Venezuela for 13 years before moving to the USA, where she met her current husband. Her life before and after the death of her daughter Paula are written about in the following books:

• Paula
• The Sum of Our Days

I have read both of these books, and I laughed and cried in both of them.

Isabel Allende is an amazing author and I really recommend that you read her books. Has anyone read any of her work? What did you think of it?