Ivana Hruba is the author for this Thursday's Author Tales. Ivana is the author of A Decent Ransom. For your chance to win a copy, be sure to comment on this post. You can find more information about the Montly Contest, here.
Before we begin, can you briefly summarize the plot?
‘A Decent Ransom’ is a story about a kidnapping. It focuses on the relationship between one of the kidnappers and the kidnapped girl. The hero of the novel is a vulnerable fifteen year old boy who, through circumstance, finds himself the keeper of a beautiful young woman held hostage in his room. When things do not go according to plan, the two forge an alliance, resulting in dire consequences
for some.
What drew you to the subject of a kidnapping for the premise of your novel?
I was inspired by John Fowles’ classic thriller ‘The Collector’ which deals with the relationship between a kidnapped woman and her kidnapper. Intrigued by the idea of such a relationship, I decided to write my own novel about a kidnapping, and used multiple perspectives to enable the reader to see the situation from each person’s point of view, to understand their motives and to come to feel compassion for all involved, thus blurring the distinction between the good and the bad guys. Also, I have always been fascinated by the different emotional reactions that people show under pressure and what those reveal about them. In the story, the four central characters involved in the kidnapping are, on the surface, experiencing the same situation but their responses to this crisis are completely different owing to their diverse backgrounds, childhood experiences and social standing, and their own moral compass. I wanted to write a novel that would reflect how all of the above influence people’s decisions, especially those that can result in life-altering changes for everyone involved.
The protagonist of your novel, the young Phoebus, does not fit the stereotypical image of a kidnapper. What prompted you to make him such a likeable character?
The main theme of the book is redemption and the acceptance of one’s responsibility for one’s actions. By giving Phoebus a positive role I wanted to allow the reader to identify with him. I’ve always had this image of Phoebus as a modern day Huckleberry Finn, coming across a little naive and easily swayed towards mischief, but a real sweetheart nonetheless, and always able to make the right moral choice.
The story is written in multiple perspectives. What appealed to you about telling the story that way?
I wanted to give the reader a complete experience, and I felt that a 360 degree view of the action would help to immerse the reader in the moment. Also, it is important to me that the reader understands the motives behind each character’s actions and how their decisions, intentional or otherwise, influenced the eventual outcome.
Nothing in this novel is as it seems. Do you think it is important to keep your readers guessing?
Absolutely. I think it is vital that the reader feels invested in the story, and a storyline that is constantly evolving makes for a very satisfying reading experience.
Given the curious ensemble of characters in your novel (a stutterer, a dwarf, an exotic dancer, an adulterer, and a woman who has an imaginary friend) the protagonists come across as a surprisingly ordinary bunch of people. Was this intentional?
Yes, I wanted to make the point that appearances can be deceiving, as indeed they often are. All of us are judged by our appearance at one time or another, especially those of us who do not fit the conventional standards of beauty. By giving some of my characters unusual physical appearance, I wanted to challenge that notion, intending to prove that appearances do not account for much. And of course, I wanted to create memorable characters who would stand out from the crowd. Most importantly, I wanted to have fun with them and to make them as interesting and realistic as possible without, hopefully, descending into the realm of the bizarre.
Did you have the surprise ending in mind when you began writing the novel, or did it evolve later in the process?
I knew from the beginning where I wanted Phoebus to be at the end - somewhere better than where he started. I’ve always thought of the story as a classic example of a rite of passage novel – the hero is given a challenge which marks the transition from childhood to manhood. He is forced to give up thinking like a child and begin to take responsibility like an adult; that is to cope with unexpected changes, endure hardship, and act with courage in the face of adversity. Given that the only constant in the novel is constant change taking Phoebus to places he’d never dreamed he’d be (literally and morally), I felt that Phoebus, at the end of his arduous journey of self-discovery, needed to be rewarded with success, but of course, every success has its price.
The story reads like an adventure and a thriller woven into one. Where do you see the book in terms of genre?
I would characterize ‘A Decent Ransom’ as a thriller; partly a dark social commentary on the effects of poverty and the erosion of family ties, and partly a study of human interaction under pressure. Although the novel is intended for adults, it has a strong crossover potential to appeal to younger audiences.
What might readers, particularly young people, take from this book and apply to their own lives?
The overall theme of the novel is redemption. The intended message here is that all difficult situations and seemingly insurmountable problems have a solution, and that it is up to the individual to make the right choices to bring about positive changes in their lives. That being said, ‘A Decent Ransom’ is by no means a serious book; my first priority was to make the novel entertaining because there is nothing more off putting than being preached to.
Who, in your opinion, will enjoy reading the story?
I’ve always felt that the story champions the underdog and the notion of good triumphing over evil, so I hope the novel will appeal to anyone who appreciates a good adventure. I certainly enjoyed every moment of creating it, and my sincere wish is that my readers will experience the same.
For more information on Ivana or her novel, you can visist the following links:
Website: http://www.ivanahruba.com/
MySpace: myspace.com/ivanahruba