Historical Fiction
Date Published: May 1, 2018
Publisher: Warren Publishing
Two young men come of age and fall in love, set against the backdrop of true events in World War II
It’s 1938. Bastian Fisher and Max Amsel meet at an American-Nazi camp, Siegfried. Neither have any idea what to do with their blooming, confusing feelings for one another. Before they can begin to understand, the pair is yanked apart and forced in opposite directions.
Five years later, during the heart of World War II, Bastian’s American army platoon lands in Salerno, Italy. Max is in Nazi-occupied Rome where he has negotiated a plan to hire Jews on as ‘extras’ in a movie—an elaborate ruse to escape the Nazis. Brought together by circumstance and war, Bastian and Max find one another again in Rome.
Exploring the true stories of Camp Siegfried and the making of the film, La Porta del Cielo, The Artist and the Soldier is intense, fast moving, and sheds light on largely untouched stories in American and Italian history.
Interview
Is There a Message in Your Novel That You Want Readers to
Grasp?
I believe the
main message is that even in a time of hatred, it’s possible for love to bloom
and that love has many dimensions and won’t always look like one would
expect.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your
writing?
Starting a new
project is both exciting and daunting. I
am in the process of starting a new novel. I find that once I am in the flow of
the chapters, the words usually come pretty easily. But I have to be immersed
in the world of my book first, which can take time.
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
This is my first published novel but the fourth I’ve
written. I think this book is my favorite but my last book comes in as a close
second and I hope someday to publish it.
If You had the chance to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?
He’s definitely older than
Bastian’s character in the book, but I pictured Justin Hartley who plays Kevin
on the show “This is Us.” For Max, I
could see Timothee Chalamet who starred in “Call Me by Your Name.”
When did you begin writing?
I started writing creatively around age 8
when I penned a children’s book called “Jacob the Dinosaur.” I started my first novel at age 19. I wrote two other books before I started “The
Artist and the Solider.” So though my
first published book came out this May, I wrote three other novels before that
were not published over a span of 15 years.
For any writer who is feeling like they are failing, keep trying. Eventually it will happen.
How long did it take to complete your first book?
My first novel took me five years to
finish it (through many, many edits)!
Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?
There
are so many authors I admire. When I was
a teenager I was in love with Francescia Lia Blocks books. As I’ve
gotten older several favorites come to mind. To name a few, Neil Gaiman for his
world building and the utter beauty he is able to portray. David Sedaris for his humor and ability to
make me laugh out loud while reading. Barbara Kingsolver for the way she can
turn every day people and occurrences in poetry. I will be forever grateful to J.D. Salinger
for “Franny and Zoey. Elizabeth
Gilbert’s “The Signature of all Things” is a masterpiece in my opinion, as is
Sue Monk Kidd’s “The Invention of Wings”.
“The Book Thief” tore my heart out in the best way possible and “All The
Light We Cannot See” continues to inspire me.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
I think my favorite part is when
I’m in that magical flow where the words come out so easily and fluidly that
they don’t even seem to come from me, as if someone else (the illustrious muse)
is feeding the words through me.
Describe your latest book in 4 words.
Unexpected Love during WW11
Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is
in the future for your writing?
I am in the
beginning phases of writing another historical fiction novel, which takes place
in the early 1960’s. It will be a story
about mental illness, identity, and how far we go for the ones we love, even
when they inexplicably hurt us.
About the Author
Angelle holds an MA from Emerson College, and a master’s equivalency in Drama Therapy through the NADTA. She is a registered drama therapist and a PhD student at Lesley University. She works as a Drama Therapist at an Expressive Arts Center in Virginia called A Place To Be. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, two delightful dogs, and one fat cat.
Contact Links
Twitter: @angellepetta
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