BookView Review

Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.

Recently, we interviewed  Francis M. Flavin about his writing and his recently released book, The Muse in a Time of Madness, a compelling tale about family, loyalty, and the indomitable human spirit. (Read the review here.)

How did you learn about the historical events framing The Muse in a Time of Madness, and what was the process like of piecing together the history to write this novel?

I was an attorney working with indigenous populations in central and western Alaska to protect their land rights before the enactment of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. One possible avenue of protection was that by law, during the time of the Russian governance of Alaska, any indigenous person who adopted the Russian Orthodox religion was considered a Russian citizen with all rights attached to that status. In the treaty of cession of Alaska to the U.S. from Russia, the U.S. agreed to protect the rights of Russian citizens living in Alaska. Consequently, Alaska Native people who had adopted the Russian Orthodox religion should have had their land rights protected.

In researching the status of Alaska Native people under Russian rule, I ran across an article that described the discovery of a Russian village on the Kenai Peninsula in the 1930s that dated back to the late 16th century (1500s). It is generally accepted that 170 years prior, the Russians discovered Alaska in 1741, thanks to the Danish explorer Vitus Bering, who worked for the Russian government. This raises the question of where these early Russian immigrants came from and for what reason. The sack of Novgorod by Tsar Ivan the Terrible in 1570 provides a satisfying answer to both questions and is the genesis of this novel.

What has been the most challenging part of writing The Muse in a Time of Madness? What about the most rewarding?

The most challenging part of writing this novel was researching the cultural, political, and religious norms of Russia in the late 16th century. There is a reason this book has a glossary. The customs and rules governing men and women were very different, and it was necessary to demonstrate this difference within the context of the story. The Russian Orthodox Church was extremely influential politically and socially. The Church’s political influence on the Tsar and the daily lives of the refugees fleeing the sack of Novgorod were extreme and necessary to explain as a backdrop to the story.

Additionally, simple questions, such as the existence of glass windows or the types of weapons they carried, had to be answered to ensure as much historical accuracy as possible. In writing historical fiction, the authenticity of characters, plot, and setting are paramount and difficult to achieve.

The most rewarding part of writing this novel was creating courageous and resilient characters who are real to the author and hopefully live in the hearts and minds of the readers.

Petr is an artist and icon painter, a profession that seems to contrast with the violence and upheaval surrounding him. How does Petr’s artistic sensibility shape his perspective on the events he witnesses, and how does it contribute to the novel’s themes?

As an artist, Petr’s creative insight allowed him to look beyond the precepts of politics and religion to see the larger tapestry of life encompassing many cultures and natural settings. Consequently, interactions that would have been threatening or repulsive to many would have been of creative interest to Petr. It was his artistic and creative spirit that led to the intervention of his Muse, who would become his guide and spiritual companion over the many miles and hardships to come.

Matrona experiences a profound personal loss and faces numerous challenges throughout the story. What message do you hope to convey through her journey?

Some people grow through education, some through benign experiences, and some through hardship. It was Matrona’s misfortune to endure the latter. She was raised under Domostroi, a manual for “domestic order” that guided every facet of domestic life for the boyar elite. Under this patriarchal doctrine, Matrona would have led a cloistered and protective existence, largely separated from the world at large. When her world came tumbling down with the sack of Novgorod, she had no resilience from training or experience to guide her way forward. Matrona only had family to fall back on. With her parents away, that meant a greater reliance on Petr. But Petr was encumbered by his new leadership responsibilities and a growing attachment to Anna, the woman he rescued. Consequently, Matrona became isolated, detached, and bitter. It was only after her brother was thrust into similar circumstances as her own that she was able to comprehend the shared plight of all the refugees and move forward beyond her own grief and petulance.

Father Ivanov is a complex and sometimes enigmatic figure. What were your intentions in creating this character, and what role does he play in the novel’s exploration of faith, morality, and survival?

The Russian Orthodox religion in the 16th century was one of strict and detailed dogma that governed every aspect of the lives of its followers. Father Ivanov, while a fervent adherent to basic Christian values, recognized that much of Church doctrine was political rather than spiritual in conception and application. This was particularly true in the treatment of indigenous pagans or the followers of other organized religions who were subjugated and discriminated against through the power of the Church in the Tsarist government. Father Ivanov could see the God Speck in all people and used his respect and acceptance of their love and kindness to guide the Novgorodian refugees away from the evil actions of the Tsar and the complicit state religion exercised through the Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church. Ivanov’s faith was necessary to hold the refugees together in times of hardship and peril. His ability to see Godly value in all humans allowed him to reach out to seek help from and provide succor and solace to pagans and heretics encountered in the refugees’ journey.

In the acknowledgements section, you express gratitude to several individuals who provided feedback and support. Can you share a bit about how collaboration and feedback have shaped your writing process?

In one way or another, every reader is an editor, finding resonance or dissonance in the storyline. As the author, I am too much in love with the story and its characters to objectively assess its consistency, appeal, and impact. Originally the book ran well over 500 pages as I attempted to describe the whole journey of the refugees to Alaska, as well as the implications in modern times through a real-life conflict. Friends and colleagues who read the draft convinced me to tell the story in three stand-alone books. History and geography made that approach feasible and authentic. This required the imposition of a word diet to create three meaningful and reasonably concise volumes.

The professionals at Atmosphere Press gave sound guidance from editing to proofreading, cover design, and interior layout to ensure that the novel was as meaningful and polished as possible.

Can you give us a sneak peek into the next novel in this trilogy?

The next novel will find the refugees moving to Alaska, where Petr will finally come face to face with his Muse and establish the foundation for the resolution of a conflict that endangers Alaska Native people in present-day Alaska.

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