By HelloWriters on December 20, 2011
Philosophy, wisdom, history - fantasy, paranormal, entertainment - these are two groups of words that are never put together when speaking about the literary world. Novels are separated by invisible barriers, allowing them to fall expertly into the categories of romance, suspense, YA, etc. Although there have been crossovers, where a romance is set in the paranormal world, or the historical figure comes to present day to have a few laughs, literary genres are still very individualized. However, when Ancient Canada (published by SynergEbooks) came along, a world was opened up where the fantastical, mystical, paranormal, dramatic, historical, and entertaining all came together in a perfect blend by the hand of author, Clinton Festa. There comes a time in every reviewer’s life when they come up against a book that is so large - not in pages, mind you, but in the scope and depth of the actual story - that the reviewer finds themselves on a true journey, constantly riveted and wondering what the next chapter will bring. This amazing novel spoke to me on so many levels that to do a ‘write-up’ in ‘so many words or less’ is an impossibility. But this novel is so grand and so interesting, that I am desperate to do my best.
In the simplest form…Lavender and Marigold are sisters who have no idea upon birth that they are about to take a journey that will lead them to the most amazing locations, meet the most fantastical creatures, and walk a path that will eventually bring them back to square one. In essence, their lives come full circle, with almost every chapter being told from another character’s viewpoint that they meet along the way.
Polaris is the leader of the people of Canada and its capital of York. He is the main villain in this story, which begins with a woman by the name of Heather who is traveling to see her beloved husband, Simon. Heather is the mother of Marigold, her first daughter who has remained at home while she takes her journey to Fort Alert. Heather is heavily pregnant with her second daughter and spends most of her time during her travels with her precious tollimore, an animal who takes care of her along the way. Heather first meets up with a green-eyed peddler who is more than happy to trade Heather her animals for supplies that Heather desperately needs in order to continue. The tollimore, however, will not be separated from Heather, and she and the peddler soon come to believe that this creature will always be there to ‘steer’ Heather away from death.
Upon arrival at the Fort to see her beloved husband, Heather gives birth to a child with lavender eyes and a power that no one else will ever understand. Unfortunately, her husband perishes, and Heather is returned to York so she can be tried for a crime. Heather avoids an executable charge and returns home with Lavender in her arms and a broken heart. As this child grows, it is soon seen by her family that she has a gift; Lavender can actually see the glow of a creature or a human and can tell if life or death is going to occur. (She first proves this skill when the tollimore is about to be killed by her grandfather, but she sees the bright red energy of the three babies in its stomach.)
As time moves forward, Lavender and Marigold open up a business of sorts, called The Mystic Garden - a place where people can come so that Lavender can address their needs. Through a very interesting set of circumstances, the girls are placed into exile and ordered to leave York and never return. Thus, the duo travels the world compiling a book on The Aliments of Life and Death, regarding poisonous materials, cures, and all kinds of things that the world should know for their basic survival.
From a stone beast named Brother Lichen to an orphan boy named Sam; from a commandant in the Canadian military whose story of a wooden sword is beyond fascinating, to a Prince who must find his bride - chapter after chapter tells the stories of each and every encounter that various characters have with these two amazing women.
This author has done an extraordinary job of putting together a story that is impossible to even guess at the conclusion. Lessons are taught - from what heroism really means, to the treatment of others less fortunate, to the power of the heart, to the love of two sisters who try desperately to make things right in a world full of wrongs. The discoveries of new places, artifacts, people, poisons - it never ends. This book is almost a museum of curiosities where each page is something new and undiscovered by the reading public.
A stunning book with charm, passion, thrills, characters that are truly fantastical and extraordinary, to say the least, and an all-out adventure that you won’t soon forget! And that is not an over-exaggeration. I was pleased and honored to be able to ‘spend time’ with this incredible author, and got the answers to some questions that many of our readers will want to know. So, without further adieu, please welcome Clinton Festa.
In the simplest form…Lavender and Marigold are sisters who have no idea upon birth that they are about to take a journey that will lead them to the most amazing locations, meet the most fantastical creatures, and walk a path that will eventually bring them back to square one. In essence, their lives come full circle, with almost every chapter being told from another character’s viewpoint that they meet along the way.
Polaris is the leader of the people of Canada and its capital of York. He is the main villain in this story, which begins with a woman by the name of Heather who is traveling to see her beloved husband, Simon. Heather is the mother of Marigold, her first daughter who has remained at home while she takes her journey to Fort Alert. Heather is heavily pregnant with her second daughter and spends most of her time during her travels with her precious tollimore, an animal who takes care of her along the way. Heather first meets up with a green-eyed peddler who is more than happy to trade Heather her animals for supplies that Heather desperately needs in order to continue. The tollimore, however, will not be separated from Heather, and she and the peddler soon come to believe that this creature will always be there to ‘steer’ Heather away from death.
Upon arrival at the Fort to see her beloved husband, Heather gives birth to a child with lavender eyes and a power that no one else will ever understand. Unfortunately, her husband perishes, and Heather is returned to York so she can be tried for a crime. Heather avoids an executable charge and returns home with Lavender in her arms and a broken heart. As this child grows, it is soon seen by her family that she has a gift; Lavender can actually see the glow of a creature or a human and can tell if life or death is going to occur. (She first proves this skill when the tollimore is about to be killed by her grandfather, but she sees the bright red energy of the three babies in its stomach.)
As time moves forward, Lavender and Marigold open up a business of sorts, called The Mystic Garden - a place where people can come so that Lavender can address their needs. Through a very interesting set of circumstances, the girls are placed into exile and ordered to leave York and never return. Thus, the duo travels the world compiling a book on The Aliments of Life and Death, regarding poisonous materials, cures, and all kinds of things that the world should know for their basic survival.
From a stone beast named Brother Lichen to an orphan boy named Sam; from a commandant in the Canadian military whose story of a wooden sword is beyond fascinating, to a Prince who must find his bride - chapter after chapter tells the stories of each and every encounter that various characters have with these two amazing women.
This author has done an extraordinary job of putting together a story that is impossible to even guess at the conclusion. Lessons are taught - from what heroism really means, to the treatment of others less fortunate, to the power of the heart, to the love of two sisters who try desperately to make things right in a world full of wrongs. The discoveries of new places, artifacts, people, poisons - it never ends. This book is almost a museum of curiosities where each page is something new and undiscovered by the reading public.
A stunning book with charm, passion, thrills, characters that are truly fantastical and extraordinary, to say the least, and an all-out adventure that you won’t soon forget! And that is not an over-exaggeration. I was pleased and honored to be able to ‘spend time’ with this incredible author, and got the answers to some questions that many of our readers will want to know. So, without further adieu, please welcome Clinton Festa.
_____
The first question is a ‘must know’ for me. Where did this idea come from?
Ancient Canada began in New York City in the summer of 2006. I had just visited my old college roommate and was walking around, alone, looking for lunch while he was at work. Lebanese food, Korean, Peruvian... I couldn’t believe that I had eaten it all. I thought somebody needed to make up a country, an entire kitchen of cooking for that country, and open up a restaurant with its ‘authentic’ food. The restaurant idea became a mythological creation. Canada fit best for the story, but already had her mythology and folklore. In the end, an alternate Canada fit even better.
The research must have been a lifelong project - from celestial lights to Polaris, Horus…do you love research?
In the days before the internet I would have said, no. Today it can still be tedious, but I enjoyed it for several reasons. You start with a thought or a problem, like: “I’ve got a character who can see the dreams of others while they sleep…so, I better read up on dreams.” Then, first stop, the internet. One link leads to another and before you know it, you’re reading up on Carl Jung, archetypes, symbols in dreams, how those symbols are present in Greek and Roman mythology, etc. You’ve suddenly got more ideas to write about than you know what to do with. The more ideas you have, the more you can dovetail your story. And even if your little sister throws your manuscript into the fireplace, you’ve learned a lot.
There are many points in the story that ‘mirror’ a historical figure of some sort, such as Joan of Arc and her ability as a mere woman to lead an army. Did you base certain parts of the journey on historical figures that are perhaps favorites of yours?
Yes. Brother Lichen is a character based very closely on St. Francis of Assisi, one of my favorite historical figures. Funnily enough, Marigold’s character seems to be based on Oscar Wilde, but that was a complete accident. Polaris…ominous quatrains are based on
Nostradamus, ominous quatrains... There’s a lot of layering, and if anyone out there is reading it thinking there might be more to something, drop me an email ataskmarigold@ancientcanada.com. One of the things I wanted to do with the book is create a character you can actually speak to, so don’t be surprised if I respond in character.
You go extremely in-depth on issues of inequality, spirituality, as well as gender-biased situations - did you do research on the political and religious backgrounds during ‘ancient times?’
No. I tried to focus more on modern ones. However, some of our modern issues have been around since ancient times. Like when one narrator states his belief that any spiritual inequality based solely on gender indicates an obvious absence of the divine. If that’s true, he states, we don’t need divine permission to fix it.
There is some beautiful poetry within the text of this novel, did you create each and every poem as well?
Yes, and thank you! One poem, The Good Dingleberry, has a story to it. I had just met my future wife in 2003 and was a little scared at how quickly we fell in love. I wrote The Good Dingleberry, a sonnet, in about fifteen minutes. Then I spent the next three hours agonizing over every word, and probably only changed two or three. I didn’t realize what a ‘dingleberry’ was at the time, but it still worked. She loved the poem. A chapter in the middle of the book is a love story about two creatures that are literally two of a kind, and I thought The Good Dingleberry fit perfectly. With my wife’s blessing, I included it in the novel.
Did you ever consider publishing this book as a continuing set of stories that could perhaps appear in historical magazines or newsletters?
Yes, I thought that might have worked, especially with the rotating narrator structure. I would have wanted to finish the whole thing first, though. I would have been too afraid that something would need a change, then I’d have to go back and alter something that’s already published or, more realistically, find a way to work around it at the expense of the narrative.
There are so many, but one of my favorite quotes appears ‘round the middle when Queen Erika announces: I will be silent when I have nothing left to say. Do you believe authors should feel the same way?
Yes. I’ve never thought of it that way, but now that I do, yes. Otherwise you wind up (forgive me, but) creatively constipated, even rotting on the inside. And we all know how uncomfortable that can be.
What project are you working on now?
The Fables of Ancient Canada, which I’m currently posting free on my website,www.ancientcanada.com. They’re about a page long each, and new ones are added regularly, about once or twice a week. After all, what good ancient world doesn’t have its fables to share? We have to be fair. Some people just don’t have time to read very much, or their ‘to-read’ list is a mile long. The fable format solves this. But, if I left the world of Ancient Canada, my dream project is The Trans-Saharan Railway. Cairo to Dakar. 1920’s, French and British imperialists, Bedouin, Algerians, a kingdom in the sand, a desperate love story, and maybe a talking robotic camel. Or…maybe just regular camels. I haven’t worked out all the details. Anybody reading this, feel free to steal this idea.
Is there a specific genre (or, genres) that you like to read above all others?
Epics and comedies.
And we always end with a few questions that our readers get a kick out of - it’s a bit of an ‘Ode to James Lipton’:
What is your favorite book?
Reluctant Saint: The Life of Francis of Assisi, by Donald Spoto (Viking Press). You could be any faith, or none at all, and be inspired by that man. I certainly was.
What is your favorite word?
Lately it’s ancientcanada.com. Okay, okay, sorry. Hmm... I’ve got a lot of fond memories from hearing people say ‘Found it!’
What is your least favorite word?
This is the easy one; the last one was the hard one. If I had to pick one word, and only one word, that I would call my single least favorite, they would be: moniker, coiffure, tome, whilst, thrice, shan’t, youngling, cusp, and persons (instead of ‘people‘). It made me cringe just to write those.
What author do you love to read?
Tolstoy.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Cartoonist for a daily comic strip. Thankfully I had a chance to be a cartoonist/writer for my college humor magazine.
What profession would you not like to attempt?
Politics. There’s too much politics in it.
What is your favorite thing about writing?
The six or seven times you finish writing the same novel. You get to enjoy the sense of accomplishment over and over and over again.
_____
As you can see, readers, this is a man who not only has the writing talent in spades, but his wit and wisdom make it impossible to not want to know more about him! Go read Ancient Canada now and you will NOT be disappointed!
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