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The Missing Piece
The Folklorist follows a woman starting a job in the New England Folklife Museum with a boss who undermines her at every turn who discovers valuable information in an old family diary. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Several years ago I watched a PBS documentary on the New England Vampire Panic. I’d never heard of it before, but I found it fascinating. I knew I wanted to write a novel about it. At first, I thought it would be set entirely in the 19th century, but as I turned over possible plots in my mind, I always felt as though something was missing. I kept musing about it off and on for years. Then, after I’d read several novels with dual timelines, I realized that was the missing piece. Since vampires belong to folklore, I decided that having the main character be a folklorist was appropriate as well as something a little different. I chose 1973 because the early 70s saw a rise in interest in the occult. It was also a time when women were making great strides in the workplace but also dealing with a lot of pushback because of it.
What were some challenges you felt were important to defining your characters in this story?
In both timelines there are characters who feel constrained by societal ideas regarding the role of women. Lizzy, in the 1830s timeline, has little interest in the domestic arts and would much rather be working with her father and brother doing the heavier farm work but isn’t allowed to. Charlotte, in 1973, is able to obtain a position with the American Folklife Museum as a first step in building her career, but she is constantly subverted by her sexist boss and even told by other women that she really should be looking for a husband.
There is also the challenge of living in a highly interdependent society for the 1830s characters. It worked well until something broke the bonds between people who depended upon one another for survival. Then, it became a burden and something of a nightmare for Mary and her family.
Finally, there is the challenge of a secret for Jerusha as she is the only person in the family and, for that matter, in Birch Falls from whom something important is being kept, something that has a tremendous impact on her life, but doesn’t know what it is and no one will tell her.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
I had to do more research than usual for this book because two timelines were involved. That meant researching everyday life in the 1830s and 1973. I do remember 1973, but I was 9 years old so my perspective is different from Charlotte’s. Also, I’d forgotten a lot. It was a fun trip down memory lane. I also had to find out what a folklorist would know, what kind of education Charlotte would have had, and what sort of employment she could get with her degree. I read a lot of books on the study of folklore which were fascinating. I even branched out into reading books on anthropology as there is a strong connection between the two.
I devoured books on rural life in 1830s New England. Trips to the Massachusetts living history museum, Old Sturbridge Village, were perfect for understanding and imagining the 1830s setting. Best of all, I am very close friends with Tom Kelleher, historian and curator at Old Sturbridge Village. Tom read every chapter as it was written to check for historical accuracy. His help was so invaluable that I dedicated the book to him.
What is the next book you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m writing two books right now. One is tentatively titled All in the Furry Family. It will be the second book in the Cat Tales series (the first book, All the Furs and Feathers won a Literary Titan Gold Award.) The other is a standalone fantasy tentatively titled The Winter House.
Additionally, I’m immersed in research for my next historical novel which follows Erin’s Children, the sequel to my debut novel, Kelegeen. Like Erin’s Children, this one will be set in Worcester, Massachusetts and follow the lives of the Irish immigrants first encountered in Kelegeen. In the new book (no tentative title yet), the American Civil War has just broken out, so I’m deep into researching war history, especially the exploits of the regiments sent by Worcester.
I hope that All in the Furry Family will be out before the end of 2024, but I can’t project about release dates for the others.
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One by one Jerusha Kendall’s siblings fall victim to consumption, the scourge of the 19th century. Devastated by the loss of her children, Jerusha’s mother Mary is horrified over the outlandish folk remedy proposed by her dearest friend, Lavinia. Unable to divert the people of Birch Falls from carrying out Lavinia’s ghastly plan, Mary succeeds only in convincing them never to let Jerusha find out what they’ve done. But Jerusha knows a secret is being kept from her, and she is determined to uncover it.
1973 Middlebury, Vermont
Newly-minted folklorist Charlotte Lajoie accepts the position of Assistant Director at the New England Folklife Museum, the perfect first step in her career. But her sexist boss uses her to hide his incompetence and steal her ideas. Charlotte’s misery at work is assuaged only by a gift from her grandmother – the diary of their ancestor, Jerusha Kendall. Fascinated, Charlotte suspects that her family may have been involved in the 19th century’s New England Vampire Panic. Her discoveries could prove to be a goldmine for her career but only if she can outwit her jealous boss and pacify a vengeful ghost.
The Folklorist
This unique novel seamlessly weaves historical and supernatural elements across two distinct time periods. In 1973 Vermont, we are introduced to Charlotte, a budding folklorist embarking on her new role in a museum. Her journey is fraught with challenges, particularly in gaining recognition from her contentious boss, Brad. Simultaneously, we are transported to Birch Falls, Vermont, in 1830, where the Kendall family grapples with the devastating impact of consumption. Jerusha, one of the daughters, chronicles their family’s trials in her diary, a document that Charlotte later stumbles upon. Rooted in reality, this novel draws from the historical phenomenon known as the New England vampire panic, where locals attributed deaths to restless spirits preying on the living. Will they succeed in halting the consumption pandemic? Will Charlotte finally receive the recognition she merits, or will Brad succeed in ousting her?
The book’s eloquent prose and gripping suspense effortlessly propel readers through its pages. The supernatural elements seamlessly blend with the narrative, evoking believability. Charlotte emerges as an endearing protagonist, urging us forward in her quest to uncover Birch Falls’ enigmatic truths. Moreover, the novel provides insight into the gender bias prevalent in 1970s America. The vividly described atmosphere of the 1830s and the intricate details of daily life add depth to the narrative.
The novel is an engaging read, though occasionally, I would have welcomed a little more depth. I yearned for a deeper exploration of Charlotte’s inner thoughts—her emotional journey as the narrative unfolded.
The Folklorist by Eileen O’Finlan is a beautiful blend of women’s fiction and a vampire thriller, giving readers a new take on these genres. This book is bound to resonate with female enthusiasts of historical fiction intrigued by the intersection of folklore and the ethereal world intermingling with our reality. It invites contemplation on the potential existence of such phenomena.
Pages: 457 | ASIN : B0CHNBJW9T
Outside Of The Ordinary
All the Furs and Feathers is about animals such as cats and rodents that take on human characteristics who learn to live together. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a story?
I usually write historical fiction so this was a step outside of the ordinary for me. It started after watching my two cats (Smokey and Autumn Amelia) interact when a mouse got into the house. It was funny to see how Autumn, an indoor cat from birth, was chasing the mouse and Smokey, a superb hunter, was watching her in a way that looked like she was mentally critiquing her technique or lack thereof. (I rescued the mouse and put it outside, by the way.) It got me thinking about what Smokey would have said about Autumn’s performance if she could talk.
At the time this occurred, I was recovering from major surgery. As an amusement for myself, I started writing about my cats in a very anthropomorphized way. It wasn’t meant to be a book at first. I was just passing the time while I recovered. But the more I wrote, the more ideas kept flowing and, eventually, it turned into what has become All the Furs and Feathers. I had so many ideas left over after I finished it that I knew it would need to be a series.
This book was really fun to write. It works by using anthropomorphized animals in a way that wouldn’t have worked had I used humans as characters.
I loved the personality and the morals that you gave to Smokey. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
The characters of both Smokey and Autumn Amelia are based loosely on the personalities of both of my cats by the same names. Their appearances are described in the book just as they look in real life. In reality Smokey was a bit more high-strung than Autumn. She was older and tried to be a bit bossy. (Sadly, Smokey has since passed to the Rainbow Bridge.) Autumn Amelia, on the other paw, is an easy-going, laid back cat who never let anything Smokey did bother her – something that often annoyed Smokey no end!
As far as their morals go, I think that just flowed out of their real personalities. As I wrote, their characters naturally came to life as I thought about how the real cats might respond to given situations if they could.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The idea of the “oneness” was very important to me. I do believe that we (humans, creatures, and all of creation) are interrelated. We are all kin because we all originate from the same Creator. This is a spiritual understanding. I am far from an expert on science, but I believe that some branches of science indicate that we are all connected on some level as well. It seems inconceivable that we should do other than treat one another, all creatures, and all creation with anything but respect, dignity, and compassion. Yet we do. I think that has something to do with a lack of conscious awareness of the oneness on an everyday basis.
Other themes that were important for me to explore in this book were those of forgiveness, acceptance of one’s self and others, and overcoming obstacles.
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book two and when the novel will be available?
In Book 2 Smokey and Autumn will get a huge surprise when they find out there is more to their family than they thought. There will be a wedding (not saying whose yet).
I’m very excited to announce that the book will have an interactive component. Autumn Amelia will start a blog called “Musings from Mama Cat’s Kitchen.” When she writes a blog post, digital readers will be able to click on the post and go straight to a blog that will be connected to my author website and read what she wrote. Reader’s of the physical copy will see the url and can put it into their browser to find the post.
I can’t give a release date yet because I don’t have one. The book has yet to be written. I’m currently finishing up my newest historical novel, The Folklorist, which I expect to be published in October 2023. Once I’ve completed everything I have to do for that, I’ll be diving right into the next book in the Cat Tales series.
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A dream come true? There’s one problem. The proposed park is adjacent to Rodent Way. Activist Jerome J. Ratley, quickly forms R.A.T. (Rodent Action Taskforce) and stages a protest.
Meanwhile, Smokey’s lovable but quirky sister and cooking savant, Autumn Amelia, is busy dishing up meals too delicious for any fur or feather to resist. And wandering uninvited into the kitchens of local restaurants to improve their recipes.
Together with their furred and feathered friends, Smokey and Autumn Amelia must find a way to make the proposed park a reality. But how to abolish the long-standing animosity between felines and rodents?
All the Furs and Feathers
All the Furs and Feathers, the inaugural novel in the Cat Tales Series by the talented author Eileen O’Finlan, is a captivating animal fiction that will steal your heart. The story revolves around the lives of Smokerina and Autumn Amelia, two feline sisters who are coping with the loss of their parents and living together in a cozy cottage. Autumn, renowned for her culinary skills, is regarded as the finest baker in the world, while Smokey, a talented architect, works at Fluffington ArCATecture.
When Smokey lands the project of her career, constructing the first cat park, Abigail Fluffington promises to make her a partner if the project succeeds. Simultaneously, Smokey has the opportunity to work on a project that has the potential to revolutionize animal relations forever. Throughout the story, readers will witness the heartwarming moments shared by family, friends, and strangers with similar interests, as well as the reconciliation between age-old foes, such as cats and rodents.
The author employs personification throughout the book to drive the plot forward, imbuing animals with human-like characteristics while still preserving their species-specific traits. Many of the animals are dressed like humans; some even work and drive, have access to education and recreation and dine on human food. Despite this, some cats question their feline nature, while others suffer from mental health issues. Additionally, the author’s witty use of cat puns adds a charming touch while keeping cats at the forefront of the narrative.
In my opinion, All the Furs and Feathers is a true masterpiece. The story’s concept is symbolic, and the characters are utterly lovable. The narrative is also an allegory for social divide, activism, and the pursuit of equality, as some animals strive to coexist peacefully with one another. This is an ideal book for cat and animal lovers of all ages. I’m eagerly anticipating the sequel, and I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a heartwarming read.
Pages: 296 | ASIN : B0BRJVGKZZ
LITERARY TITAN 