Today we talk about Troubles of Madman Kind & little Caleb: Chukka’s return, a book by Anthony Djaba Sackey, published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author Anthony Djaba Sackey, to get to know him better, what was the moment that led him to the writing of his book Troubles of Madman Kind & little Caleb: Chukka’s return, as well as how it felt to see his first novel published,
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 first book? What was it?
I would say the particular moment in my life that led me into writing this story is linked to a dream I had, although I can recall several situations as forming part of the inspiration behind the story. In my dream, I saw the vulnerability of men/women and the reason we always inch for a higher power’s approval and care. The tranquillity of such a relationship desired is symbolized in the relationship of an innocent child with his mother— having fatherly support against the world. The struggle to survive in everyday challenges amidst the corruption tied to the pursuit of worth that riddles our society despite our commitment to religious ordinances does not take away from the need for spiritual sensitivities of the human soul. As a Christian I have had to question myself over and over again, how will Jesus Christ respond to living in the chaos we have in our world today? Will he still be the light bearer and symbol of peace? How will he compare to the church leaders of today? This and many more questions fed into the rationale of this story as a light bearer for sober reflections.
- What would like to hear from your readers?
As a new novelist, I believe feedback from my readers will go a long way to shape my style and content. I would also love to learn from the experiences of my readers and how the story relates to their personal experiences in life. In general, I am open to both positive reviews and critiques, as I believe this will form the basis of any improvement in my storytelling going forward. A story told is always told to a listener or a reader somewhere; for writers, a review received is one step closer to hearing from people who heard you speak or read your story. I want to know about the experiences and how the story relates to non-African readers and African readers alike. Any lessons they might have learned and how this story of contemporary African writing compares to previous works of other African writings. Hearing from readers is always a piece of welcoming news, and I look forward to it.
- Is there a book you are particularly attached to, and that has taught you something?
Sony Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is one of my all-time favourite stories that taught me two important lessons in the world as an African in the postcolonial era. One, your geographical location and its cultural sensitivities are a crucial part of your personal story the world needs to know if you ever wish to tell it. And two, the world still yearns for a great African story at any point in time. In my part of the world, book publication and story writing are not traditionally engraved in our DNA as seen permeating the Western world. Our stories were traditionally told by the firesides when kids gathered – a cultural heritage that no longer holds true amongst today’s generations except in writings. The preserved writings of Sony Achebe and others for which I was privileged to read at senior secondary school in 2003/2006, although as a science major, formed the basis of my literary conceptualizations and opt desire for literature. I have learned from the writings of great African authors that African proverbs and wise sayings, among others, can be preserved and shared with the entire world through poetry and stories. I will therefore say, African authors, need to be encouraged to do more.
- How did it feel to see your first novel published?
The feeling is unimaginable as I am at a loss for what adjectives best describe my current state of mind, thus looking back from where it all started. As a young sailor at the time, I will say it all started as a hobby I picked up – documenting my experiences alongside research while working aboard various marine vessels at sea with Subsea 7 UK Ltd. and EMAS Chiyoda Subsea. This birthed the idea of the written short story The Honeymoon Palaver longlisted with DigiBook Africa in 2017 and subsequently drafted my first works of the novel ever published. I feel truly great the story has been published and shared with the entire world. I feel the void in our moral sensibilities today due to our unrelenting pursuit for wealth and fame; it is addressed in this story in ways that seek to appreciate the best in all humankind. I feel its publication is timely and transcends its immediate geographical boundaries. I look forward to reading the reviews of its readers.
- Are you planning to write more books?
Yes, I believe this is only the beginning of many more stories I will be sharing with the world from time to time. Like the dreams we have in our beds at night, which more often than not sheds light on our own path and that of loved ones, the spiritedness of the seemingly parallel worlds it portrays of our own being and actions we are not in control, I believe stories and the characters we create and embody give us the opportunity to make an entrance into another parallel but imaginary world. First, we can control and access the outcomes of the actions of our beings to learn from subconsciously. My goal is to maintain a long-term relationship and continue to inspire, thrill, entertain and inform my readers in ways that bring satisfaction after every read. With that said, I will entreat you all to look out for more literary works from me.
Europe Books thanks the author Anthony Djaba Sackey once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside him on the editorial path that led to the publication of his book Troubles of Madman Kind & little Caleb: Chukka’s return. We wish him the best of luck for his book and for his future works.
To you, my dear reader, I wish that you appreciate this book and that it captures you and inspires you with food for thoughts which will make you reflect on yourself and to apply in your everyday life.
So, my dear reader, I just have to wish you to open the book and enjoy your reading!!!
Your editor!