BookView Review

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

Recently, we talked to Pekka Harju-Autti about his writing and recently released book, LoveVortex and the Drakor’s Curse, a swashbuckling historical fantasy set in the eighteenth century during Britain’s age of expansion (read the review here).

The premise of your debut novel is chilling: what if you – and everybody else – bore a tattoo foretelling your exact date of death? Where does your idea for this story come from? 

There was a dream long ago. It was like a movie, lasting for hours. The story in this novel comes entirely from that dream.

That must have been quite a vivid dream. Do you consider it a nightmare, or how did you feel about it?

Oh, just the opposite – it was a very liberating and empowering experience. After the dream, I felt that all fear of death was gone. I felt like a newborn baby. Then I decided that one day I will write it as a book, since to me this idea was the most terrifying yet fascinating in human storytelling: tattoos that tell you exactly when you’re going to die, and how to deal with our mortality and purpose. So, I thought perhaps the story might one day be interesting for some readers. 

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

I felt I would be a really weak writer if that story was not at all interesting to anyone – after all, fear of death is the biggest fear in our society. I wanted this to be a story in which readers are invited to think for themselves rather than one where the author has already decided how things will or should be. 

Isn’t this topic of our own mortality very sensitive?

Sure. That’s why I wanted the whole treatment of the topic to be very gentle. I aimed to present the subject of mortality in a way that readers from any background or religion could approach — and not only approach, but also hopefully get something and feel empowered by it. After all, death is a universal experience.  

Are there some other key takeaways? 

Yes, there are some other important takeaways. The relationship between Captain Julius, the main protagonist, and his 14-year-old son is described closely in the book. Their bond goes beyond that of a typical father and son. By the way, I have a 14-year-old son named Julius – it’s no coincidence – we had a lot of fun when we started to write this story! Another key takeaway is the role of dragons in Earth’s entire existence – but I won’t spoil that here. And one more key takeaway: while the voyage offers adventure and discovery, the heart of the story lies in its reflection on what it means to live well and love deeply.

I suppose it wasn’t hard for you to choose the right form or genre.

You’re right. I believe fantasy books can explore the core of our existence. And there’s something powerful about storytelling: stories are their own force when told from the first-person perspective, where experiences are felt personally. 

On your website at http://www.lovevortex.net, I see there’s also a sequel coming in your LoveVortex series. Can you tell me more about it?

Yes, it’s coming and almost ready. If anyone wants to read the ARC, just drop me an email. The sequel is very different—actually, it’s not a fantasy book. It’s based on our current world, with some Murakami-like elements of magical realism. It dives even deeper than the first book. However, the very core of the story remains the same as in the first book.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

The third book in this series is a little bit in the works. However, let’s see first if the first two parts of the series will find some readers.

What is the best part for you in writing a book?

Being in that egoless state of mind that naturally leads to the act of creation. Then you don’t think about whether a reader will like this or that in your writing someday; things just flow beautifully and joyfully.

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