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We Are All Human
The Coffee Traveler follows a young boy from an Amazon rainforest’s Tupi Guarani tribe who embarks on a journey of personal growth and the quest for purpose. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The Coffee Traveler was influenced by my own childhood memories, which are a lot like Kauê’s life. Like him, I had to figure out who I was and what I was here to do while dealing with the weight of my cultural background (always being an outsider) and how nature shaped my growth.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The characters fight to find themselves, where they came from, and where they fit in. Moral standards in different cultures make right and wrong unclear. This allows the creation of characters by showing how conditions, feelings, and connections affect choices. It deepens stories and makes readers consider their ideals.
Stories of people who face their concerns, overcome obstacles, and develop from them are inspiring and relevant. Relationships also shape our lives. This is why love, friendship, betrayal, and conflict are excellent topics for studying human interaction.
Cultural and environmental variables provide dimension to stories because our histories and settings impact our identities and perspectives. Finally, finding purpose through love, employment, adventure, or self-discovery is a universal topic. Fiction that teaches characters and readers about living a meaningful life can be very educational. These human traits help readers think about their lives and keep them interested in the story. Great fiction comes from the range of human experience, with its ups and downs.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The Coffee Traveler explores many deep themes that shape the story’s look at the human experience. Symbolizing the search for identity and change, Kauê’s trip shows how personal trauma and growth can change a person’s sense of who they are. Through Kauê’s tattoos and Caíque’s teachings, cultural heritage is also stressed, showing how important it is to understand and respect one’s roots as a key part of personal growth. Morality and its effects are at the heart of Kauê’s story, as his actions make you think about how complicated right and wrong, guilt, and why you make the choices you do are.
Kauê’s change into a hunter shows the theme of survival, both physically and emotionally. It’s a symbol of resilience and the inner power needed to get through a new world. The story’s relationships show how delicate the balance is between connection and isolation, as the characters fight with their needs for closeness and self-discovery. The way power works, especially in Nick’s case, shows how ego affects people and what real strength and leadership are. Another important theme is how nature and human relationships are linked. Caíque’s lessons stress the strong links between the natural world and community ties.
Along with these issues, the idea of male identity in modern society is very important. There is more and more talk about masculinity, often in terms of societal expectations and cultural changes. Men today often feel stuck between traditional roles and new social norms, which can cause an identity problem. This battle is a lot like Kauê’s journey as he tries to figure out who he is in a world where ideas of what it means to be a man are becoming more fluid and up for debate. Also, the novel makes a point of commenting on the larger talk about what it means to be a man in today’s society while telling a story of personal and cultural change.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
People kept telling me the story was dramatic and emotional. Readers relate to Kauê’s inner struggles and changes. Many didn’t expect the Amazon jungle and Tupi Guarani society story to have relatable identity and growth elements.
The adventure and rich culture hook readers in, but Kauê’s voyage frequently appeals to them personally by reminding them of their struggles. I’m thrilled that my writing about universal issues like meaning and human complexity resonates with people from all backgrounds. This gives me hope that stories may unite people and help them understand others, proving that we are all human despite our differences.
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The conflict between his Indigenous heritage and modern society marks his journey as a nuanced exploration of identity. Focusing on character depth and thematic exploration, the story delves into Kauê’s transformation from a naive boy to a mature adult.
La Belle Famille
La Belle Famille by Amelia Maria Vergara is a vivid historical novel set during the tumultuous days of the United States’ colonial period, specifically during the battle of La Belle Famille in 1759. The story revolves around three main characters—Adam, Lidia, and Sofie—whose lives are intertwined in unexpected ways as they navigate the brutal realities of war. Through their perspectives, Vergara paints a rich and often harrowing picture of survival, guilt, and the quest for redemption.
One of the aspects that struck me most about this book is its strong character development. Adam’s deep-seated guilt and torment over his past actions, especially his memories of the girl from German Flatts, are powerfully portrayed. His internal struggles add a layer of complexity to his character, making him more than just a soldier caught in the throes of war. Lidia, on the other hand, is a character driven by anger and revenge, yet her interactions with Sofie show a softer side that grapples with the morality of her desires. Sofie’s journey, particularly her determination to protect her family and uphold her principles, brings a sense of strength and resilience to the narrative. Each character’s motivations are well-explored, making their actions and decisions feel genuine and impactful. Vergara’s writing style is another highlight of the book. The descriptive passages vividly bring the 18th-century setting to life, from the dense forests and perilous landscapes to the stark, grim realities of colonial warfare. Her attention to historical detail is commendable, as she seamlessly integrates real events and figures with her fictional narrative. The dialogue, particularly the use of different languages and dialects, adds authenticity to the characters and the time period, although there were moments when the shifts between languages could be a bit jarring. The book’s pacing thoughtfully allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the characters’ internal worlds and the rich descriptive passages. These moments provide added depth and insight, giving the narrative a contemplative quality. While this approach occasionally softens the immediacy of the action, it enhances the overall reading experience by offering a deeper connection to the characters and their experiences, particularly within the intense backdrop of war.
La Belle Famille is a compelling read that would appeal to fans of historical fiction who appreciate well-drawn characters and rich historical detail. Vergara has crafted a story that not only immerses readers in a pivotal moment of history but also explores universal themes of guilt, redemption, and the moral complexities of war. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in colonial American history, character-driven narratives, or stories that delve into the human side of conflict.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B0CPD86B2Y
Songs For the Deaf
Songs for the Deaf by Kenneth A. Silver is an intriguing novel that intertwines the mystery of an unsolved MIA case with the spread of the bubonic plague in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The story follows a group of individuals who strive to halt the devastating plague and unravel the connection to the missing soldiers. At the heart of this compelling narrative is Miles Curtain, a dedicated and passionate protagonist. Miles’s character is meticulously crafted, showcasing his commitment to his work, whether as an articles editor for the Columbia Law Review or a top recruit for a large Canadian conglomerate. His relentless drive to transform his work into platforms for political dissent and meaningful change is both inspiring and relatable.
As a reader, I found Miles’s strong work ethic and passion for his endeavors highly engaging. His journey and transformation throughout the story resonate deeply, reflecting themes of redemption and personal growth. This connection to Miles’s character is particularly poignant for anyone who values hard work and the beauty of personal redemption. Miles’s transformation is a highlight of the book, drawing readers into his journey and making his character unforgettable. His redemption arc is not only compelling but also deeply moving, making it easy to empathize with and root for him.
Songs for the Deaf is a captivating read that is difficult to put down. Kenneth A. Silver masterfully blends historical intrigue with personal transformation, creating a story that is both beautiful and riveting. I highly recommend this powerful book to anyone seeking a profound and engaging narrative.
Pages: 272 | ISBN-13: 978-1-961532-50-2
I Needed To Continue the Story
All Lies Begin with Truth follows the people in a small Kentucky town dealing with a natural gas extraction project that is impacting all areas of their town and lives. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’m a college professor, and I had taught a class in Contemporary Literature. The texts I chose had the theme of “region and place,” one being Appalachia since I live in that area. One of the books I assigned (and reread) was Lost Mountain by Erik Reece, a creative nonfiction work about strip mining and mountaintop removal in Kentucky. This book affected me in a way that I felt that I needed to continue with this story—or at least, tell another similar story. I originally set out to write about strip mining but became aware that coal was in the process of being de-emphasized through newer energy extraction initiatives such as hydraulic fracturing. Once that idea got into my mind, I began scouring maps and discovered the New Albany Shale Basin resting beneath a small town in western Kentucky where strip mining and gas extraction had already occurred. And that got the ball rolling.
How did the idea for the characters’ motives come to fruition for you?
When I began writing this novel, I was a year or two younger than Lionel Boone, who at first was the main character of the novel before my radical revision which included the addition of two new main characters. Boone was easy to write since I was aging as he was and noticing certain things about the process: more body aches and pains, going to bed and rising earlier, less appeal and impact as an older college professor, the feeling I was losing my relevancy, etc. With Eris, I based her on a few former students and colleagues who are advocates for women’s rights. She was a lot of fun to write because she is able to verbally defend herself to a lot of offensive male characters and get away with it. And with Cass, my favorite character, I harnessed the theme that Joyce Carol Oates likes to use in her fiction about small town scandals and I blended that with a sense of nihilism that had affected her over the years due to the dynamics of living in a small town.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
I completed a lot of research. First, the characters came naturally to me after having lived in Appalachia for over 15 years. A lot of the mannerisms, the good will, and heartwarming aspects of my characters can be found where I have lived. In addition to visiting the location where the town is based off of, I also included the names of all 120 counties in Kentucky as character names, street names, the names of businesses, etc. I studied the hydraulic fracturing process thoroughly and compiled notes on the region of where the novel takes place. I corresponded with an activist who was very helpful in providing periodicals to examine as well as informing me about the business side of things. He also verified and refuted some of my ideas or scenarios that I had planned. Of course, there were other works of fiction that I read that informed me, such as Strange as this Weather Has Been by Ann Pancake and Heat and Light by Jennifer Haigh.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My next novel is already out (September 2023), and it is titled The Law of Devil’s Land. It is a young adult, post-apocalyptic, dystopian work that is the first of a trilogy. I am currently awaiting notification of the publication of the sequel. This novel focuses on a main character (Ghonna Gyle) who is nonbinary and is often singled out and persecuted for this. The societal structure is an extrapolation of current US culture with 3 distinct groups: The Lower Ranks (laborers/impoverished), Civil Servants (rule enforcers who are akin to the upper class), and Overlords (rule makers and elite). In this novel, I create a history and culture that eerily resembles current times while using a competition as the impetus for plot. In this novel, Ghonna must compete and survive in the Imperial Events, a cross between the Olympics, X-Games, and Roman Gladiator Combat to rise from the Lower Ranks into the role of a Civil Servant. I first had this idea in the early 1990s and it has taken nearly 30 years for me to write this novel. So, the fact that this was completed and published is very exciting for me. It is also available through Black Rose Writing.
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Depression
Depression by Christian Martin is an inspiring novel that captures the stark realities of life during the Great Depression. Wade and Ruby, siblings who grew up in poverty, seize an opportunity to move to New York City in search of a better future. The story not only follows their challenging journey in the metropolis but also delves into the early lives of their parents, Martha and Wyatt, revealing a history marked by highs and lows.
The novel offers a vivid depiction of the hardships faced by families during the Great Depression. Many, like Wade and Ruby’s family, relied on agriculture for survival, but resources were scarce. Wade’s bold decision to leave everything behind for the uncertainties of New York City is a testament to the human desire for change and betterment. Ruby’s character shines brightly with her determination and unwavering focus as she pursues her acting dreams, contrasting with Wade’s darker path. His experiences serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of losing sight of one’s core values. Ruby’s journey is particularly inspiring. Her dedication and resilience exemplify how dreams can be realized through hard work and confidence. Wade’s story, on the other hand, highlights the pitfalls of getting caught up in superficial pursuits. Together, their stories remind readers that, regardless of current struggles, hope and the determination to rewrite one’s story can lead to a better future. Depression is enlightening and motivational.
Depression by Christian Martin is a compelling read that underscores the importance of resilience and hope during tough times. The novel provides valuable lessons and inspiration, making it a worthy addition to any reader’s collection.
Pages: 224
LITERARY TITAN 