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INTERVIEW: Short history of Marina's best-sellers
DRAWING on her own life experiences produced a bestselling hit for writer Marina Lewycka.
Her debut novel A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian – inspired by the author's experiences of her own family life – became a phenomenal worldwide success, winning numerous awards and remaining in the bestseller lists for 16 weeks.
And speaking from her Sheffield home, Marina, who is of Ukranian origin and was born in a British-run refugee camp in Germany in World War II, proclaimed: "I was surprised to be published, to be honest!
"Having had previous books rejected, I didn't expect anything like this at all so it was wonderful. And it gave me an opportunity to become a full-time writer."
She again drew on her own background, although admittedly not to the same extent, in her follow-up book, Two Caravans.
So where does this leave her third novel, We Are All Made of Glue, which is released in July?
"Although it's set in London, the book is very much based on my experience of living in Sheffield," explains Marina.
"If you are a writer you cannot help it (drawing on your own experiences). Your life is your material and you have that to draw on. I think it is always there because your life is all you have got.
"You can make things up, you do make things up, but your knowledge of people and your knowledge of the world in general comes from your own experiences."
At first she seems to struggle to describe her new novel, eventually admitting it is somewhat of a departure from her previous works that have graced the bookshelves: "There are no vehicles and no Ukranians, but it has got some really awful pets.
"It is about an old lady who lives in a big crumbling house with seven smelly cats and a secret," she continues.
"It is also about the end of the world, the crisis in the Middle East, bonding and also bondage. It is a great sweep of subjects.
"I think it is both funny and serious. It does cover some very serious aspects, but I hope it is interesting as well."
Marina will be talking about her new book as part of the forthcoming Buxton Festival literary series.
She will also take part in a debate on the Orwell Prize, Britain's pre-eminent prize for political writing. Marina's second book was shortlisted for last year's prize, much to her surprise.
Also on the panel will be Delia Jarrett-Macauley and two authors from this year's shortlist, and the debate will be chaired by Matthew Parris, winner of the 2005 Journalism Prize.
So should politics and writing should be kept separate?
"I think people should write and read what they like," said Marina.
"It is not an easy thing to do, because sometimes if you write about political themes you end up dry and boring the socks off the readers," she added.
"I think the only way to write about politics is to keep it funny and witty."
* Marina Lewycka's appearance as part of the Buxton Festival literacy series will take place on Thursday July 16, with the Orwell Prize debate the following day. Both events will be held at the Palace Hotel at 10.45am. For tickets, call 0845 127 2190 or visit www.buxtonfestival.co.uk.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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