Get ready to be transported to another time and place in Paula Brackston's book, "The Cathedral of Lost Souls."
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
Like the first book in the series ("The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish") this most recent release, "The Cathedral of Lost Souls," was inspired by the city of Hereford, where I live. More specifically, I was fascinated by the ancient cathedral, with its splendid chained library and priceless mappa mundi, which is the largest remaining medieval world map in existence.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
To me, it suggests being comfortable reading stories which are about people who represent us if we are a minority, or which address and consider the challenges faced by those underrepresented in society. I wrote a book called "God’s Children" (under the pen name Mabli Roberts) based on the life of a British nurse who trekked across Siberia in 1891 to rescue outcast lepers. She faced wolves and bears and frozen lakes and thousands of miles of hardship, but the greatest challenge of all was to her reputation, friendships and livelihood because society would not accept her as a lesbian.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
I write to tell stories, and to experience different lives lived in times and places other than my own. How dull it would be if I stuck only to what I have experienced. There was a concern a few years back that writers were straying into the realms of cultural appropriation by writing about people in minority groups. This baffles me. Am I only to write stories about white, middle-aged, middle class, British women? Eeek! Of course all writing should be sensitive, should be respectful, but fiction is make believe. I have written about seventeenth century witches, eighteenth century highwaymen, nineteen century surgeons, twentieth century soldiers, and twenty-first century time travellers. I am none of these things!
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
"The Cathedral of Lost Souls" is about a young woman living in the old city of Hereford in 1891. She is very much out of her time, with her unruly red hair, her scandalously short dresses (the better to ride her equally shocking bicycle), her work as assistant librarian in the chained library, and her ability to see and talk to ghosts. She’s basically a Victorian ghostbuster!
What can fans expect from your book?
An atmospheric story, which will transport them to another time and place. A brave, clever heroine, who fights for those she loves. A mystery, some danger, and a touch of magic.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
I am just putting the finishing touches to Book Three in the Hecate Cavendish series! I am really enjoying being in Hecate’s world, and I hope readers will continue to follow her adventures.
I am also working on a screen adaptation of another of my books, "The Little Shop of Found Things", and an original feature screenplay, so there is lots going on.
