I classify the novel as “travel fiction”. According to Condé Nast Traveler, a fiction travel book is “a book in which a place is as important a character as the protagonist; … it’s a book that has shaped the way we see a certain place; it’s a book whose events and characters could be set nowhere else.” While the characters in Valley of Thracians have been described by an early reviewer as “memorable”, the setting plays a major role in the narrative.
Bulgaria is a scenic country, full of picturesque mountains and quaint villages. The country and its citizens have a burning desire to quickly emerge from an eastern European mentality and catch up with the rest of the world. In my book I highlight some of Bulgaria’s rich history, fascinating culture and customs, and even Bulgarian cuisine.
This is not a travel guide to Bulgaria, yet the story could take place nowhere else. As it does for the main protagonist, who arrives in Sofia on a mission to find his missing grandson, Bulgaria comes alive in the story. Yet descriptions of this off-the-beaten-track destination don’t interfere with the fast-paced nature of the suspense.
As background, my job in Internet marketing was relocated from Tel Aviv to Sofia for two years, 2009-2010. During that time my wife and I traveled extensively around the country, seeing the sights, and learning about Bulgaria’s colorful past. We made many friends and even learned a bit of Bulgarian. Okay, a very small bit of Bulgarian.
Since returning to our permanent home and jobs in Israel, I have devoted my free time to writing about Bulgaria, but in the format of a novel.
I hope readers will not only enjoy reading Valley of Thracians but will take interest in Bulgaria. Visit Bulgaria now, before there are too many tourists!
Originally published on the website of crime & mystery writer Laurence O'Bryan.
Very well written. Your article alone has drawn me in. I can't wait to read your book.
ReplyDeleteThe book is now available in both Kindle and paperback versions. I hope you enjoy!
DeleteI love the idea of having a country like Bulgaria as a kind of protagonist. From your great post, I can tell how much you learned and experienced there, and how much you can share with your reader. I want to be able to do that too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hannah for your comment. I'll be continuing to write about Bulgaria and my experiences there in the coming weeks.
DeleteI completely agree, Ellis. I actually wrote about something similar on my blog... is "setting" the forgotten child of storytelling? It seems we focus 90% of our time on plot/character, but setting is always the number one thing I remember about a book long after I've put it down.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I am editing a book set in the north of Finland (way up in the Arctic Circle) and the setting definitely informs the characters and their personalities.
ReplyDeleteThe landscape is a character for sure and no other place could be used to tell the story.
Thanks for this article, It's a very interesting topic :)
You are so right about location being really important. It is an exciting way of getting to know a place through words, definitely "see a location through an author's eyes".
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments. If you want to get to know a place, you can try reading a travel guide, but I think you'll have much more fun reading a work of fiction that emphasizes the novel's location, its customs and traditions.
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