Ask the Author: Jefferson Flanders
Answered Questions (4)
Jefferson Flanders
"An Interlude in Berlin" is the fourth novel I've written about the Cold War.
Berlin was a flash point for the struggle between the West and the Soviets (especially during the Berlin Crisis of 1959-61). It was also a place where there was constant and direct conflict--always a great trigger for storytelling.
From a thematic perspective, I found Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s marvelous film "The Lives of Others" (set in 1984), an inspiration when writing "An Interlude in Berlin." It's no coincidence that both stories share an actress named Christa.
Berlin was a flash point for the struggle between the West and the Soviets (especially during the Berlin Crisis of 1959-61). It was also a place where there was constant and direct conflict--always a great trigger for storytelling.
From a thematic perspective, I found Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s marvelous film "The Lives of Others" (set in 1984), an inspiration when writing "An Interlude in Berlin." It's no coincidence that both stories share an actress named Christa.
Jefferson Flanders
I envisioned An Interlude in Berlin as both a love story and a thriller.
Over the past three years, I’ve spent some time in Berlin, learning as much as I could about the city and the very tense period in its history just before the Wall went up in 1961.
Against this backdrop, I fashioned a novel about a romance between a young American diplomat and an East German actress. They are caught up in events beyond their control.
I imagine things in visual terms (perhaps that’s why readers have told me they find my writing cinematic). When researching my books, I often turn to period photographs.
What specific Images sparked my imagination? The grayness of East Berlin, bombed-out buildings untouched even in 1959. In contrast, the lights of the shops and cafes and cinemas on the Ku’damm, a showcase for the West. The dueling May Day celebrations in East and West Berlin. (Then, many years later, the young people crowding onto the top of Berlin Wall in 1989, the word “Freedom” spray-painted below, reveling in the sudden collapse of a hated regime.) I hope I’ve captured some of the Cold War tensions in Berlin at decade’s end, staying true to historical reality while also telling a story that will keep readers turning to the next page.
Whether I’ve succeeded or not, is not for me to say…
Over the past three years, I’ve spent some time in Berlin, learning as much as I could about the city and the very tense period in its history just before the Wall went up in 1961.
Against this backdrop, I fashioned a novel about a romance between a young American diplomat and an East German actress. They are caught up in events beyond their control.
I imagine things in visual terms (perhaps that’s why readers have told me they find my writing cinematic). When researching my books, I often turn to period photographs.
What specific Images sparked my imagination? The grayness of East Berlin, bombed-out buildings untouched even in 1959. In contrast, the lights of the shops and cafes and cinemas on the Ku’damm, a showcase for the West. The dueling May Day celebrations in East and West Berlin. (Then, many years later, the young people crowding onto the top of Berlin Wall in 1989, the word “Freedom” spray-painted below, reveling in the sudden collapse of a hated regime.) I hope I’ve captured some of the Cold War tensions in Berlin at decade’s end, staying true to historical reality while also telling a story that will keep readers turning to the next page.
Whether I’ve succeeded or not, is not for me to say…
Jefferson Flanders
The novel is set at the end of the 18th century, as the Ch'ing (Qing) Dynasty is facing increasing pressure from the West to open China for more trade. Beginning in the 1780s, American merchant-traders have begun to compete with the British, Dutch, Swedish, and (less so) the French in the one port city open to the West, Canton.
You can read an author interview on THE BOSTON TRADER here:
http://www.jeffersonflanders.com/thet...
You can read an author interview on THE BOSTON TRADER here:
http://www.jeffersonflanders.com/thet...
Jefferson Flanders
I wrote "The Republic of Virtue" (publication Dec. 12, 2014) largely because I’ve always been intrigued by the French Revolution, and greatly enjoyed its fictional depiction by Charles Dickens ("A Tale of Two Cities"), and Victor Hugo ("Ninety-Three"), and by two romantic novelists of the 20th century, Rafael Sabatini ("Scaramouche") and Baroness Orczy ("The Scarlet Pimpernel").
Then, in reading about Thomas Paine’s life, I discovered that he had been a key player during the early days of the French Revolution, and that, in turn, led me to learn more about the role of Americans in Paris during that time. There seemed to be a story there centered around the American expatriates, and one thing led to another (including a few trips to Paris), and I found myself writing the novel.
For an extended interview: http://www.jeffersonflanders.com/thet...
Then, in reading about Thomas Paine’s life, I discovered that he had been a key player during the early days of the French Revolution, and that, in turn, led me to learn more about the role of Americans in Paris during that time. There seemed to be a story there centered around the American expatriates, and one thing led to another (including a few trips to Paris), and I found myself writing the novel.
For an extended interview: http://www.jeffersonflanders.com/thet...
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