Grabriele Goldstone lives in Winnipeg and is the mother of three young adults. The oldest daughter of WWII immigrants, she decided to help her mother remember the past after the passing of her father in 1993. She travelled to present-day Ukraine to experience the setting for her debut young adult novel, "The Kulak's Daughter." It is my pleasure to interview this author today.
Cendrine Marrouat: Hello Gabriele, thank you for answering my questions. "The Kulak's Daughter," your latest release, is a narrative about a childhood under Stalin's ambitious First Five Year Plan. Why such a title?
Gabriele Goldstone: I was exploring a father/daughter relationship. The father was a kulak and therefore, Olga was a kulak’s daughter. Also, Stalin saw the children of kulaks as equally as dangerous as the adults.
CM: What first sparked the idea to write this book?
GG: The photograph that’s on the back cover. I first saw it in 2000 – when a relative sent it as part of a calendar. I’d never seen a photo of my mom as a child. It really made an impact on me especially because, at the time, my daughters were of similar age.
CM: Would you share a short extract?
GG: Olga's been hiding out at the family windmill, waiting for a storm to pass. She falls asleep and wakes up to the sound of men's voices. This is part of their conversation.
Papa's voice is not loud, but it's strong. "This was my father's farm. Stalin can't have it." He shakes his head, while light and shadow dance on his face.
"Look at my windmill," he says proudly, waving his arms, like the windmill did during the storm. "It's brand new. I'm going to ride out these hard times. How bad can it get? We'll survive. Like I said, we'll cooperate. I'll make deals with them. I'm a reasonable man."
I hear laughter, but it's not a happy sound.
Just then, something terrible happens. It must have been the dust, or maybe it's just me still being wet from the rain.
"Haa, haa, haa, CHOO!" I sneeze.
In the silence that follows I stand up and, covered with shame and straw, show my bedraggled self.
The men all laugh, and this time they sound happy.
I bow my messy head, expecting Papa's tongue lashing. Instead, he lifts my chin and says, "This is why I'm staying - for the children. This is their land, too. It's their future."
Papa pulls a stray piece of straw from my hair.
"Let's go home, Olga," he says. "Your mama is worried about you."
CM: Have your travel to Ukraine and the subsequent writing of the book impacted your life?
GG: Totally. While I can’t claim to totally understand, I have a lot more compassion for my mother. What happened over in the Soviet Union in the 1930s has not received enough attention.
CM: How have people reacted to the novel so far?
GG: People often say they had no idea. Everyone knows about Hitler. Less is known about Stalin.
CM: Where can people find more information about "The Kulak's Daughter" and purchase their copy?
GG: My Website and blog share some of my background research and provides links to more information.
CM: Writing is not your only occupation. However, do you have a daily routine?
GG: My routine involves walking. Ha. I walk as a letter carrier. I walk my dog. I love the rhythm of it.
CM: According to you, what role do writers play in society?
GG: Writers – the way I see it – write to try to understand and interpret reality.
CM: What advice would you give a novice writer?
GG: There’s no one more vulnerable than a fledgling writer. Read lots and lots. Write regularly. Don’t show your work to others until you feel confident. Build that confidence up by getting your by-line in non-paying markets. Think of it like building up a campfire.
CM: What is next for you?
GG: I’m looking for a publisher for my sequel set in East Prussia. Also, I’m working on a piece set in 1950s Winnipeg. I continue to explore my immigrant family experiences.
CM: Where can people find more about you?
GG: Please visit my website.
CM: Any last words?
GG: Just thank you for your time and interest.
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Cendrine Marrouat is a writer, published author and translator living in Canada. Official Website: http://www.cendrinemarrouat.com
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