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History and Classic Cinema
Janszoon follows Hollywood icon Humphrey Bogart through his tumultuous personal and professional life who longs for adventure and a lasting legacy while learning about his ancestor, pirate Jan Janszoon van Salee. What inspired you to write this story?
At the heart of all of my historical fiction writing is my soon-to-be-published series about German immigration in the early Eighteenth Century. As the family historian, my wife and I undertook a journey tracing the path of my German ancestor, Hans Heinrich Gruber (no relation to the Die Hard Hans), from Basel, Switzerland, up the Rhine River to Rotterdam. From there, Hans embarked on a ship to New York City. While researching the New Netherlands, specifically the island of Manhattan, I stumbled upon the story of the infamously famous, fabulously wealthy Dutch Barbary pirate Jan Janszoon Van Salee. His sons were among the earliest settlers, and their descendants now number in the millions. Among these descendants is believed to be the Hollywood legend Humphrey Bogart.
As I traveled through the Northeast, from Philadelphia to Canada to Boston, gathering facts for my series, the idea for this book struck me. I envisioned Bogart, amid his career, exploring his connection to Jan Janszoon Van Salee. The story became a journey of self-discovery, legacy, and adventure as Bogart delves into his heritage to understand what it means to leave a lasting mark on the world.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
Bibliography
Widing, Roy. Sluggy: Bogie’s Other Baby. Mayo Methot – Star of Stage, Screen & Wife of Humphrey Bogart. Orlando, Florida: Copyright 2019 Roy Widing. (pgs 131, 142-4)
Thompson, Verita, and Donald Shepherd. A Love Story: Bogie and Me. Pinnacle Books, Inc., 1982. (pgs. 10-14, 17-25, 27-33, 45-49, 53-56)
Hyams, Joe. The Humphrey Bogart Story: BOGIE. The New American Library, Inc., 1966. 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019. (pgs. 63, 72, 79-80, 87)
Sperber, A.M., and Eric Lax. Bogart. HarperCollins Publishers, 1997. 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007. (pgs. 227, 235)
Meyers, Jeffrey. BOGART: A Life in Hollywood. A Peter Davison Book, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, New York, 1997. (pgs. 138, 160-163)
Bogart, Stephen Humphrey, and Gary Provost. Bogart: In Search of My Father. Penguin Books USA Inc., 1995. 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Humphrey Bogart and the rest of the gang.
…and of course, lots of old movies.
What draws you to the Golden Age of Hollywood and makes it ripe for you to write such a great biographical fiction story in it?
My draw to the Golden Age of Hollywood stems from a deep love for the silver screen and history. As a longtime fan of classic films, I’ve always been captivated by the larger-than-life personalities and stories that shaped that era. The glitz, glamor, and drama of Hollywood’s golden years offer a rich world for storytelling, where real-life legends like Humphrey Bogart navigated personal and professional challenges while leaving an indelible mark on cinema.
Retired from dentistry, I now have the luxury of immersing myself in history and letting my imagination run wild. Daydreaming about the lives of iconic figures allows me to blend factual history with fictional narratives, creating stories that entertain and explore the human side of these legends. Writing biographical fiction set in this era is my way of paying tribute to the stars who shaped our cultural landscape while indulging my passion for history and classic cinema.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
There are several thrilling historical fiction projects in the works, each offering a unique dive into the past and beyond. First up is an ambitious eight-book series that will take you on a journey through German immigration from 1700 to 1780, capturing the trials, triumphs, and enduring spirit of those who shaped the Pennsylvania Dutch community. Spinning off from this series is an intriguing standalone novel set around 1715, centered on a girls’ school that spurred the transfer of none other than Yale College to New Haven—a story rich with secrets, ambition, and early American history.
But that’s not all! There’s also the first installment of a gripping murder mystery series, promising twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And if that weren’t enough, a mind-blowing multi-book sci-fi saga is in the works, ready to transport readers to worlds and dimensions that defy imagination.
The funny thing about crafting a long series is that by the time you’re knee-deep in books, new revelations or ideas often pop up, prompting rewrites and tweaks to earlier volumes. It’s a creative journey that truly only ends once everything falls perfectly in place. One day, these stories will be polished, perfected, and released as a complete set, and I hope readers will enjoy them as much as I’ve loved bringing them to life.
Author Links: Amazon
It’s 1942 and Humphrey Bogart seems to have it all. By day, he’s reading lines for Casablanca with Ingrid Bergman; by night, he’s drinking bourbon on the Sunset Strip with friends like Peter Lorre and Leslie Howard.
But to Bogart, life is not so glamorous. High-profile fights with his wife Mayo and a rigid studio contract committing him to a series of mediocre films have him feeling personally and professionally trapped.
That is, until one day a mysterious note arrives on set.
Heeding the strange invitation, Bogart finds himself in a series of long, secret conversations with his aunt and cousin about the swashbuckling tales of their ancestor, the pirate Jan Janszoon van Salee. These tales of the high seas ignite a fire within Bogart to carve out a path that is uniquely his own—even if it means shedding the roles and people who made him famous.
Janszoon is more than a Hollywood fantasy; it’s a journey into the heart of a man wrestling with ambitions and desires, an actor who yearns to balance his on-screen personas with his off-screen reality. From his tumultuous marriage and infamous USO tour, through his affairs with Verita Patterson and Lauren Bacall, Janszoon imagines a life in which the enigmatic Humphrey Bogart seeks a legacy that transcends the ephemeral glow of stardom.
In the Realm of Dancing Syzygy
In the Realm of Dancing Syzygy is a poetic exploration of cosmic themes and human emotions, blending metaphysical musings with vivid imagery. The collection is a compilation of Mark Kraver’s poetry spanning decades, with each piece reflecting on the intricate dance between celestial alignments and the human experience. From the very first poem, readers are drawn into a world where the alignment of celestial bodies—syzygy—serves as a metaphor for the alignment of souls, thoughts, and the forces that govern our lives.
One of the standout aspects of Kraver’s work is his ability to seamlessly merge the cosmic with the personal. The portrayal of two souls entwined in a dance of shadows and light is both haunting and beautiful, capturing the essence of a relationship marked by pain and longing. The way Kraver juxtaposes the vastness of the cosmos with the intimate struggles of his characters is nothing short of mesmerizing. His use of syzygy as a central theme is particularly effective, symbolizing the moments when different forces, whether celestial or emotional, come into perfect alignment, creating something both powerful and fleeting. I also appreciated Kraver’s skillful use of imagery and symbolism throughout the collection. Kraver crafts vivid scenes that transport the reader to otherworldly landscapes, making the abstract feel tangible. The symbolism is rich and layered, inviting multiple readings to fully appreciate the depth of meaning behind each verse. Kraver doesn’t shy away from exploring complex topics such as the passage of time, the nature of existence, and the interplay between light and darkness. These themes resonate deeply, offering readers not just poetry but a mirror to reflect on their own lives and experiences.
In the Realm of Dancing Syzygy is a beautifully crafted collection that will appeal to readers who enjoy poetry rich in symbolism and cosmic themes. Kraver’s work is a journey through both the vastness of the universe and the intricacies of the human heart, making it a perfect read for those who appreciate the intersection of the metaphysical and the personal. This book is ideal for anyone looking to explore poetry that challenges the mind while touching the soul.
Pages: 95
Janszoon
Mark Kraver’s Janszoon offers a compelling and meticulously crafted exploration of Hollywood icon Humphrey Bogart’s life, set against the tumultuous backdrop of World War II. While Bogart is widely celebrated for his on-screen charisma, this book delves deeper, revealing the complexities of his personal life—his fraught relationship with his studio, the marital discord with his wife Mayo, and his yearning for a lasting legacy and a sense of family. These personal struggles are intriguingly intertwined with Bogart’s fascination with his ancestor, the pirate Jan Janszoon van Salee, whose adventurous spirit and rebellious nature seem to resonate deeply with him. This connection propels Bogart to seek out his own form of adventure and to leave a meaningful mark on the world.
Kraver’s narrative skillfully weaves together Bogart’s personal history with the broader historical context of the 1940s Hollywood scene. His extensive research is evident throughout the book, as he vividly brings to life the golden age of cinema. The author’s ability to humanize Bogart, highlighting his cinematic achievements and his personal trials, makes this fictional biography both engaging and insightful. Through detailed accounts from Bogart’s contemporaries, studio archives, and historical records, Kraver offers readers a nuanced portrayal of a man driven by both his personal demons and his desire for significance. One of the book’s strongest elements is its exploration of Bogart’s internal conflict. The juxtaposition of his tough-guy image with his more vulnerable moments is compelling and offers a nuanced portrayal of a Hollywood legend. The conversations with his aunt and cousin about his family’s pirate ancestry add a unique layer to his character, linking his rebellious spirit to a storied past. These moments of introspection are where the book truly shines, offering insights into Bogart’s motivations and the pressures he faced in both his personal and professional life.
Janszoon stands out as a richly informative and captivating work of biographical fiction, offering a fresh perspective on a legendary figure. Kraver’s expert storytelling invites readers to journey alongside Bogart, experiencing the highs and lows of his life both on and off the screen. This book is highly recommended for those who appreciate historical fiction, drama, and a deep dive into the life of one of Hollywood’s most enduring legends.
Pages: 465 | ASIN : B0CZ7MCXPP
