At the end of the seventeenth century, in the German city Jena, a small group of young people came together to write and publish a magazine called Athenaeum. The magazine remained active for only 3 years. However, it caused a change in European consciousness, with effects which stretch up to our days, being felt in the lives of each of us. The small group, consisting of both men and women, did not have in mind to change the world (although they did, in many ways). On the contrary, one may say, they brought to light the idea that we may indeed do the changes we need, but, whatever improvements we may bring, we have to admit that we will never feel totally at home in this world. The unavoidable struggle for existence, society and life itself will always have something alien to us, one way or another. The reason for this is that we are individuals. The small group consisted of a young writer, Friedrich von Schlegel, his elder brother, August Wilhelm von Schlegel, an excellent linguist, known for his research and studies in Sanskrit language and ancient Indian culture, the renowned poet Novalis, the theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher, and the philosopher Friedrich Schelling. As well as the two ladies: Caroline Schelling (nee Michaelis), author, and Dorothea Mendelssohn, novelist. In the same line of thought, one can mention their contemporary poet, the famous Friedrich Schiller (whose poetry is used as a text for 16 the present day hymn of the European Union). This is just to speak about those who contributed most.
Today we talk about Collection of Stories, a book by Iris Roxana Teodorescu published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author Iris Roxana Teodorescu , to get to know her better, the moment in her life that led her to the writing of her book Collection of Stories, as well as the first book she read and what it taught her.
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 that?
Yes, I can say that the main experience that led me to the writing of this book was the covid 19 pandemic. Actually, I wrote the first piece of this book during the lockdown. This piece was “The illusion of reality”. The appearance of this pandemic revealed to me a very fragile side of our existence, the possibility of a sudden end to our lives. In the light of this, one can ask oneself if you have ever really lived true to your real self, or if you always postponed your real life, giving in to insignificant things, in an “illusion” of real life, never touching what you truly want for yourself. Then, death can take one by surprise, as it sadly happened in so many cases during the covid 19 pandemic, maybe the very moment when one decides to live a life of consequence.
- What are the crucial themes of your story?
The search for our real identity, the need for meaningful time in our lives, the need for balance, the values found both in European culture and Eastern spirituality, the importance of knowledge in counteracting delusion and external manipulation, the importance of memory for our life in the present.
- What characteristics your audience should have to appreciate your book?
To be honest to themselves.
- What is the first book that you read and what did it teach you?
I was about 9 years old when I read a book depicting the ancient Greek mythological stories in a simplified version for children and it really satisfied my appetite for extraordinary stories. I wrote a small story inspired by this book which won some school prize in a competition for children. Later, in my teen years I read “Jane Eyre” and “Villette” by Charlotte Bronte, two books which impressed me by the abillity of the author to impact the readers minds, as well as the creation of feminine characters who can face the challenges of life with so much authenticity. They caused me to read more and more books. The book which made me wish to become a writer was “One hundred years of solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It made me aware of the complexity and many aspects of existence which can be brought together in writing, not to lose them in thin air. And I wanted to do that, since.
- Are you working on a new writing project you can tell us about?
I have a new writing project, but it is only in the early stages of study and research. The plot is located in the Greek island Crete and has connection with the Minoan culture which was once developed there. This is all I can say for now about it.
Europe Books thanks the author, Iris Roxana Teodorescu, 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 Collection of Stories. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, may this collection of stories capture your attention and interest. Let them be a source of inspiration and reflection for your life, now and tomorrow!
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!