Today we talk about Thorn Hill, a book by Susanna Park published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Susanna Park, to get to know her better, where she found the inspiration to write her book Thorn Hill, as well as the reason why the Hungarian legends and myths are so fascinating.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Where did you find the inspiration to write your book?
The truth is that I only knew at the beginning that I wanted to weave the Hungarian mythology into the story. Besides, I was very anxious to finally listen to my inner voice and not to delay what it had been telling me since I was a teenager: WRITE! This may sound a bit strange, but it is the truth. For a long time, I suppressed the urge because I didn’t dare to admit that I had such a desire. I think a lot of us in the world are like that, the expectations and feedback we receive encourage us not to dare to live our dreams, but we will be happy if we do. Amyta’s story is a little bit about that. She seems like a simple girl at first, but it turns out she is so much more than that. And she doesn’t know who she really wants to help, because her companions all have a vested interest in staying with her.
- What characteristics your audience should have to appreciate your book?
I not only want to provide the audience with light entertainment, but I also want to present the legendary figures of Hungarian lore – even if often only in the form of analogies, since we Hungarians have not only a sad history. Rather, I think we have a past that has given the world a lot, even in spite of our difficulties. But if somebody just wants to have fun, to relax, and I hope that’s what it is – to have an exciting adventure with a girl who doesn’t know who she is – then they can find what they are looking for. I really hope that young and old alike will find sentences in the novel that speak to them. Perhaps the most important thing is that they receive the novel with an open heart and mind, without any preconceptions, and then everyone will find in it what really entertains them, because each of us has something different to offer. In addition to this, I very much hope that the world will be more curious about the history and lore of Hungarians, because we have very special and interesting stories, ancestors and sagas.
- What is so fascinating about the Hungarian legends and myths?
I think the history of Hungarians is very fascinating, because we came here from very far away compared to where we live now. The knowledge of the Hungarians is immense when you look around: from the ballpoint pen to the computer, the Hungarians have laid the foundations for computer technology, and the discovery of vitamin C is also attributed to a Hungarian scientist, Albert Szentgyörgyi. And in our history, we have the Táltos, the scientists of ancient knowledge. Only the Hungarians had the Táltos, who were a kind of shamans, but more than that. They not only knew how to heal, but they also passed down the history of the ancient Hungarians from father to son and from mother to daughter, thus preserving this knowledge. Or there is our father Nimrod, who is still up in the sky in the form of a constellation, since he is the constellation Orion. But I could also talk about the march of our seven leaders through the Etelköz (an image that appears in the book by analogy, as Amyta and her six companions cross a mountain that is rumoured to be impassable). I also wanted to give the world a really different perspective on us Hungarians, one that shows us through our strengths.
- How was your publishing experience?
It was a great honour for me to work with the staff at Europe Books. The whole process was really easy and wonderful. From the very first message informing me that my novel had been selected for publication to the very end, I have met nothing but kind and helpful colleagues from the publisher. Although the distance and summer holidays meant that things sometimes got a bit bumpy, in the end everything fell into place very quickly and I had the final printed version in my hands. It was a great relief for me that, although we were publishing the book in a language other than my mother tongue, the language differences did not cause any difficulties in working together, because everyone at the publishing house was extremely professional and helpful. With the publication of the book, their support has not ceased, and I feel that the press office is still supporting me with the utmost attention, as our cooperation has only just reached its peak with the sales. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff of the publishing house for their prompt, thorough and honourable work.
- Are you working on a new writing project you can tell us about?
Of course, Amyta’s story will continue, as I originally intended the novel to be in three parts, and I’m nearing the end of the second part, and then I’ll continue with the third part. The dear reader will have experienced that the story ends quite openly, and I can assure you that there will be more twists and adventures for our heroes in the future, for Amyta is a very special girl, who does not even know her own worth until she meets the Táltos. Slowly, she discovers her own power, in a sheltered place, with the help of her companions, while events in the outside world are set in motion, as her act of crossing the mountain is a real catalyst for events. From the second part of the novel, the reader can get to know the lives of the characters, their backgrounds, motivations and thoughts, as well as meet new characters. I feel that my readers will have a really pleasant adventure and I hope that they will look forward to the sequel with open hearts and enthusiasm.
Europe Books thanks the author, Susanna Park, 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 Thorn Hill. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, I wish that this fascinating story not only intrigues you and makes you dream, but allows you to get to know the Hungarian people in more depth through their myths and legends.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!