Today we talk about The HAWKS and HYENAS of HARAR, a book by Charles Christie published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing Charles Christie to get to know him better, what prompted him to the writing of his autobiographical book The HAWKS and HYENAS of HARAR as well as what is his opinion about travelling.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- What prompted to the writing of your autobiographical book?
People have always said that I should write a book! Some stories are just waiting to be told. I have without any planning or deep consideration found myself yearning for somewhere else. I started writing poetry at about age fourteen. My time on Corfu in the early 1970’s provided the backdrop and inspiration for my first unpublished novel called “In the morning light.” Then in 2010 I wrote and published a book of poetry called “Like Music”. The occasion that had initially provided the impetus to start writing my biography was whilst I was working in a government office. We had just moved up from the Fleurieu Peninsular to Adelaide and I’d taken this position as a temporary role until I could figure out what to do next in my medical career. I found working in that environment extremely difficult. I was used to a very challenging and demanding role as a country General Practitioner, and the change of pace and culture was very difficult to adapt to. I had a lot of time to gaze out the windows feeling miserable! A chapter could be written about my time there. One morning I said to my wife Jenny, “I am going absolutely mad! And if I don’t do something else, I think I will jump of the window!” “Oh for goodness sake” she replied “Write your book that you’ve always being going to write!” So I did.
- What is the message you want to convey with your story?
The message is there is no message. The proposition and exploration in this book is that there is only one Absolute Truth and the purpose in life is to break free from conditioned and established cultural beliefs and traditions and start the process of detached exploration for this Truth. This may take many paths from many backgrounds towards a non-defined but absolute destination. The metaphorical analogy of the journey of a river to the sea is an example of this. There are many rivers and many destinations of lakes, seas and oceans. These rivers traverse a seemingly chaotic yet almost predetermined path of great change towards their goal. This is the incomprehensible, unfathomable and infinite ocean of infinite time and infinite space.
- How is it important to travel? What does travelling add to someone’s life?
Travelling can be a useful means to break away from many cultural and ingrained beliefs. It provides the kaleidoscope to the images of the human condition. It casts a complex array of questions and challenges to previously firmly held beliefs and ideologies. It also provides a certain freedom and excitement unconstrained by the usual daily distractions. The moments of the day provide the catalysts for events and activities, and that often determine the next destination on the journey. Most importantly it provides the great opportunity to meet new people and share and learn from life experiences with them. My best times from which I learnt so much, were occasions where I spent extended periods of time with different people. Baha’u’llah in His poetic essay entitled the Seven Valleys writes:
“On this journey the traveller abideth in every land and dwelleth in every region. In every face, he seeketh the beauty of the Friend; in every country he looketh for the Beloved. He joineth every company, and seeketh fellowship with every soul, that haply in some mind he may uncover the secret of the Friend, or in some face he may behold the beauty of the Loved One.”’
- How did it feel to “read” your life on the pages of your book?
Reading my own book has been a source of great joy. It is also almost unfathomable that I made it through and lived the experiences which I did. The pages enabled me to relive many aspects of my life and consider their implications and consequences. There were many instances where forgotten or omitted experiences were not recorded and were left out. Old friends and characters came to life. I felt a sense of satisfaction that the task had been done and the writing style and prose were excellent. I did on occasion feel saddened that aspects of my behaviour had been a source of anguish and distress to others. The river cannot deny the scar it leaves on the landscape.
- Are you working on a new writing project you can tell us about?
I have considered a further exploration of some of the episodes and themes of this book. I have reflected on the great challenges that are encountered in old age and retirement and wonder if exploration of this may be worthwhile. It is difficult to write about life as a Medical Practitioner because of issues of privacy and ethics, but I would love to do that. I have an unpublished novel which I may rewrite. It is loosely based on my time on Corfu in 1974. I also have a selection of new unpublished poetry.
Europe Books thanks the author Charles Christie once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside him on the editorial path that led to the publication of his book The HAWKS and HYENAS of HARAR.
To you, my dear reader, may this book intrigue and excite you, while at the same time providing you with useful food for thought to reflect on your idea of travelling and then put it into practice in your everyday lives.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your Editor!