At least 3 of my novels have been partly inspired by nostalgia. “The Poor Singer of an Empty Day” came to life while I was living in Herrenberg. One morning I woke up feeling nostalgic for England and, in particular, for my childhood – hence the dedication and the fact that the book takes place in the places I grew up. I clearly submitted to these fond memories and moments I wanted to recapture and the book is proof of that.
I wrote “The Schoenbuch Forest” after returning to England and I found that photos of my stay in Germany, certain smells or pieces of music were setting off thoughts of Herrenberg, walks in the Schoenbuch Forest, and the grave in the forest clearing.
“Whispers in the Hearts of Men” was also a product of looking back and evaluating my life and asking questions like, “How did my one-year stay in Jordan influence me?” I think the novel reflects this question. The protagonist, Richard Chambers, returns to the region and finds himself trapped in the past against his will.
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