Naomi Meyer asks Patricia Schonstein about her recent publication, The glass island.
Patricia, what is your background?
I began my career as a writer of children’s books back in 1985, when I ran a nonracial preschool and needed appropriate material. Some years later, my first novel, Skyline, was published. I went on to complete a master’s degree in creative writing at UCT, and am fortunate to have been supervised by JM Coetzee. After that, I established myself as a professional author.
Why did you write this book – what was your inspiration?
I wrote this book because I am deeply troubled by the destruction of Gaza and the invasion of Ukraine. These two events are woven into the fiction, which primarily constructs an improbable but extraordinary set of events following the death of a friend of mine.
Why did you self-publish, and did you not send your book to a mainstream publisher? How did you experience the process?
I did submit it, but it was judged to be too “experimental” for a South African audience. It employs two genres, magical realism and metafiction, and carries a touch of autobiographical material. I suppose that’s quite experimental, but I do not agree that it would not suit a South African readership. I didn’t want to silence the novel, so I self-published.
Who is your ideal reader?
My readership has occasionally been described by reviewers as “niche”, because I do place thorny material at the heart of my fictions. I imagine my readers to enjoy the “dark matter” I present, along with all the textures and fabrics and food that I fill my work with. I imagine them to enjoy the poetic, too, and the characters whom I sculpt with great care. I am a generous author. I give a lot to my readers, treating them as guests who enter my imagined spaces, in the way I would welcome them into my voorkamer, reading to them while offering biscotti and Turkish coffee.
What are your thoughts on the South African literary scene, and would you ever consider sending your book to a publisher?
I find the South African literary scene exciting. We have some great authors. My lament is that we have not developed a vibrant, thriving culture of reading for pleasure.
Where can our readers buy your books, and what is the cost?
In Cape Town, my books are available at The Book Lounge, Clarke’s and Exclusive Books Cavendish. They are on Amazon. They can also be purchased directly from African Sun Press afpress@iafrica.com.
Price is R325 excluding vat.