Today we talk about Metamorphosis, a book by Natasha Anderson published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Natasha Anderson, to get to know her better, if there was a particular moment that led her to the writing of her book Metamorphosis, as well as if there was a book that significantly taught her something.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Is there a particular moment in your life that led you to the writing of your book? What was it?
I have been writing all my life ever since I sent letters overseas to my grandparents in Wales to thank them for money sent for birthdays and Christmas. But about two years ago I gave this essay to a friend and after reading it, he said it was “beautifully and intelligently written”. This was the first time I was complimented for this particular piece of writing. Then I received an email from Europe Books asking for biographies and children’s stories, and I decided to send these on. I have other stories which need to be edited and possibly printed, but I believe in perfect timing, and felt the timing was perfect when I submitted these stories just over a year ago. Metamorphosis includes bits and pieces of prose and letters and also includes songs and quotes and is a pastiche of genres and putting this all together seemed like a wonderful idea.
- What are the crucial themes of your book?
The themes cover the individual’s alienation and hopelessness in a world where nobody understands and where one feels isolated from everything and everybody. These anxiety and hopelessness are changed – despite disaster, illness and being cut off from life and society – to joy and hope and love when true understanding of the meaning of life is found. Why are we on this planet and what is our mandate? This turning of mourning into dancing is humankind’s inheritance but only when one comes into contact with the divine. Natasha discovers beauty and life and light as she is mentored by Myange, and eventually returns to the real, harsh world and is able to navigate and find herself and her purpose for living. All this despite the world she encounters. Finally, humankind needs to embrace a life where we give away all to save ourselves and the planet.
- What is the message you would like to communicate to your readers?
I would like to say to young and old alike, that we live in a most beautiful and wonderful world where we each need to find why we have been born. Our lives are a gift and it is our destiny and joy to reach our potential and share our talents and skills to rebuild this planet for future generations. There is always hope and no matter our circumstances and backgrounds we need to strive for excellence and share our resources. We want a better world where everyone has food on the table and education where one can learn skills to prepare for the world of work. And while we are doing this, we need to build relationships, first in the family and then in our communities. They say relationships are the most difficult things to conquer and we shall only survive when we remain humble and forgiving of our fellow human beings.
- Is there a book you are particularly attached to and that has taught you something?
I read A.J. Cronin’s book “The Judas Tree” when I was a teenager and it had a most profound influence on my life. It is a fairly vague memory now but I remember the betrayal and the heinous sin of the hero. I remember the woman going to the market to choose only the best for her man and her total dedication to him. I remember his betrayal and that this happened again later on in the novel. I believe betrayal and infidelity and the horror which the characters experienced is indicative of the kind of life we live every day in 2023, and it is heart-breaking and destructive. We need a better world where we honour our relationships and treasure one another and the family, where the family unit is restored and where we can find our true identity and purpose for living.
- Are you planning to write more books?
My Grade 1 Mathematics book in going into print next month. I enjoy writing text. When I am inspired, I simply sit down at the computer and write. I have a couple of journals which span more than 30 years and am thinking I would like to have them in print. I also have written many children’s stories and creative verse. I went to Korea in 2006 to teach English there for 6 years and would like the emails to go into a book in time. I have friends here in Rawsonville who live in an informal settlement and would like to write down their stories. They are part of the history of this grape-growing area and need to be captured. Something I would like to still do is teach people how to write poetry and prose and their own stories. In our future world, we need to listen to one another’s stories and value the other.
Europe Books thanks the author, Natasha Anderson, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book Metamorphosis. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, may this book allow you to reflect on the gift of life and on the importance of our potential, of our talent to be put to use not only for our personal success but also for the planet. A planet where everyone can learn, eat, live in harmony, and know how to relate effectively. Utopia? Well, the important thing is to start and work in this direction with great attention and dedication.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!