S9E4 The Cypress Maze: Fiona Valpy on dual-timeline fiction, a war-time heroine and shared grief

“She felt she had a duty to protect all these people. And the Villa very much became, for Iris, a refuge for everybody” - Fiona Valpy

In the past, a wartime heroine shelters people from the ravages of war. In the modern era, the villa once used for refuge is up for demolition, and its extraordinary past may be the only thing that can save it.

The Cypress Maze is the latest novel from prolific writer Fiona Valpy. As a dual-timeline novel, we spend time in both 1943 and 2015, at the Villa delle Colombe. Moving from an Italy in the midst of World War II and in the throes of civil war, to a more peaceful point in Italy’s history, but one that is turbulent for the villa’s characters Beatrice and Tess.

Hear how each timeline was inspired by two incredible, real-life stories of determination and bravery. Delve into issues of grief and suffering, in a novel that illuminates how we all experience these emotions differently. And learn how to do dual-timeline narratives the right way.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why you must find an anchor for your story when writing dual-timeline fiction.
• The importance of empathy as a writer.
• Why your writing should include both the shadow and the light.

Find out more about Fiona here.

Your host is inkjockey founder Mark Heywood.

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You can view the full transcript here.

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