Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.
Recently, we talked to Justin Kurian about his writing and his recently published book, The Canticle of Ibiza, a poignant tale of redemption and second chances, set against the backdrop of a captivating island paradise where dreams and aspirations converge. (Read the review here).
Justin Kurian has a B.A. in American Literature and Studies from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. He worked as a lawyer for the Legal Aid Society in Manhattan. Justin has also lived and worked in numerous countries in Europe for over a decade, including England and Romania and Spain, and currently resides in New York.
How often do you base your characters on real people?
I usually base my characters on real people. That does not mean I just try to create an exact version of the real person on the page, but rather I take elements from real people and blend them in intriguing combinations. And I think that is natural. Any character an author creates is from combing his memory and knowledge of people from his past, and basing the traits of his character on those memories.
How often do you read?
I read every single day. Of course I read the news and other reports, but I am always reading a novel. And as soon as I finish, I move on to the next novel. This has been the way for most of my life.
Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?
I’ve read many books that have made me think differently about fiction. As a writer, I read slightly differently than regular readers. I am constantly analyzing the techniques of the author, and asking myself why she made certain plot choices or used certain point of views or particular descriptions. Also, after reading books from different parts of the world, I’ve observed writing techniques that I didn’t necessarily see with the novels I had growing up. For example, when I read South American authors, specifically Gabriel Marquez, I found his techniques of magical realism striking.
What inspired the premise of your book?
The premise of The Canticle of Ibiza was inspired from my trips to the island of Ibiza in Spain, and talking to many of the people who live there. I discovered a unique place, hidden away from the rest of the world, where free ideas and thoughts flourished. Now certainly this leads to good and bad things, but I knew immediately that Ibiza was a vibrant and essential setting for a novel.
What life experiences have shaped your writing the most?
The life experiences that have shaped my writing the most have been my traveling. I was lucky to live in Europe, in many countries, for over 10 years, and I learned a lot about different cultures and architecture and food and ways of living. Also I met many, many people and noted how they spoke and acted and what they cared about. These extensive travels have given me a treasure trove of material for my novels.
What life experiences have shaped your writing the most?
The Canticle of Ibiza is important right now because it is a novel about second chances. In the world today, with so many choices and so much going on, it is quite easy to make bad choices. John Balkus, the protagonist of the novel, has made very bad choices in his life and is wracked by regret that is eating away at his soul. But instead of giving in to that and surrendering, which he almost does, he decides to give his current dreary life up and venture out and seek redemption. This is not an easy choice to make or to undertake, but John actually does it. And thus the adventure begins! I think all of us, if we are honest, wish to do this to a degree, and we can learn from John.
Would you rather read a book or watch television?
I would rather read a book than watch television any day of the week! Don’t get me wrong, I love quality cinema. But I believe there is no better vehicle for storytelling, for experiencing the depths and emotions of characters, and for exploring places and different eras, than the novel. Long live the novel!
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BookView Review 
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