In her ambitious debut novel, Sabina Lungeanu builds a deliciously gloomy gothic world, at once familiar and entirely new. Set along the rugged coastline of rural Scotland, with the almost mythical Merriver mental institution at its core, Hiraeth (2020) expands into a poetic portrait of the human psyche. Initially focused upon the interconnecting stories of a first-time father on the brink of breakdown and a twelve-year-old boy mourning the absence of his own father, the narrative unexpectedly evolves into an almost metaphysical journey exploring death and the very essence of the self.
The Daniil Pashkoff Prize (2018) shortlisted author and devout worshipper of the “patron goddess, Lady Caffeine,” joins Generally Gothic to discuss the madness at the heart of Hiraeth, and the magic at the heart of her writing process.
The following interview is spoiler-free, and safe to read before Hiraeth (which is available to purchase online now).
“πΈππππ ππ’π ππ ππππ ππππ π πππππ ππππππππ ππππππ. πππ ππππ πππ πππππ ππππππ ππππ πππ πππππ ππ πππ ππππ, ππππ ππππ ππππ ππ’π ππππ ππππ. π΄π ππ πππ πππ ππ ππ ππ.”
How did the concept of the novel come about?
Like all my stories, Hiraeth began as a nagging thought, an idea that wouldnβt give me peace. There was little active plotting involved. My mind simply loves to free associate and decided to blend a mysterious pocket watch trapped inside a bird cage, the rugged Atlantic coast of Scotland, and a ghostβ¦
Where did you find inspiration?
My biggest source of inspiration was Scotland. Iβve been fortunate [enough] to visit Edinburgh twice and have fallen head over heels in love with it. The dark facades of the buildings, the cobbled stones of the Old Town, its disturbing, sometimes downright gruesome historyβ¦ itβs just one of those magical places where stories seem to lurk right beneath the fabric of reality, eager to be born.
The narrative spans multiple time periods and first person voices. How did you tackle this in writing, to ensure the linear clarity that you did?
Frankly, that was the biggest challenge while writing the book. I almost gave up on several occasions because the timeline refused to behave, or some character suddenly got ideas and developed in a surprising way. Now Iβm glad I didnβt and just allowed the story to write itself. The first draft was a messy business, it was only during the edit rounds that the chapters began to assemble themselves like jigsaw pieces and I could finally see the big picture.
Iβm glad you didnβt give up too! Some surprisingly existential themes are explored. Does the story have a deeper meaning for you?
Absolutely, though I hadnβt been aware of it while writing. It was only after some rigorous editing that the story revealed its essence to me. That was also when I recognised the Welsh concept of hiraeth as the perfect title for the book. Fierce longing for a destination forever out of reach is something that resonates deeply with me.
ββπ΄ ππππππ πππ ππππ,β πππ ππππ, ππππ ππππππ ππππ ππππ πππππ πππππ.β
Madness, or sanity, is a major theme and is associated with each character in one way or another. Why were you drawn to exploration of the psyche, and what role does it play in the novel?
Madness and its twin sister, sanity, are the backbone of the story. I donβt want to spoil anything but suffice to say they manifest in diverse iterations and drive the characters in unexpected ways. I find these manifold, ever-changing faces of madness fascinating.
As do I, particularly in the context of gothic fiction! What does the ‘gothic’ mean to you?
To me, gothic is a state of mind. Itβs about lending a voice to the darkness within and embracing its cathartic effect. Those things that only come alive at night have an uncanny ability to terrify and fascinate us in equal measure.
How does the gothic manifest in your writing? What is it about your work that makes it gothic, or generally so?
My novel mainly relies on atmosphere and foreshadowing to set a gothic mood. The themes of madness, alienation, confinement, as well as the presence of a rather talkative ghost add to the gothic flavour of the story.
The atmosphere of Hiraeth was undeniably gothic, and I particularly enjoyed your descriptions of place. In what other terms would you define your fiction?
I find it difficult to describe my writing in an objective manner, but itβs been called haunting, lyrical and immersive. I strive for authenticity and tend to gravitate towards unsettling, yet deeply human themes.
I think those three words sum your style up very well. What was the process, from idea to publication, like for you?
[Hiraeth] is the first novel to be published but the second one I have written. The experience Iβd gathered with my first manuscript proved invaluable while writing Hiraeth. One of the most important lessons Iβd learned was perseverance and trusting the process. Some stories refuse to be told in a linear manner and this was one of them. I know now that each story grows at its own pace and rushing it only stifles its development. I had no plans to publish this novel back in the day, so being able to hold it in my hands now still feels mildly surreal.
βπΎππ πππππππ πππ πππ πππππππ πππ ππππππππ ππ πππππ, ππππ πππππππππ ππ ππ πππππππ πππππ πππ ππππ, π ππππ πππππππ ππ πππ πππππππππππ.β
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers – for those seeking that same surreal feeling?
I hope it doesnβt sound excessively sobering, but my advice would be to let go of preconceptions of what a writerβs life looks like and discover it for yourself. Obviously, I can only talk from my own experience, but thereβs little glamour to the writing process, and by that I donβt mean the old definition of glamour as in enchantment, because that is indeed abundant in writing. It ultimately comes down to getting a story on paper and breathing life into something that had previously existed only in your head. It sounds deceivingly easy but itβs the hardest part. On a lighter note, do not underestimate the power of coffee/tea and snacks. Make sure you have plenty of those at hand for when you might need a motivation boost.
And for those who prefer reading, where can your book be purchased?
My book is available [in] paperback and eBook [formats] at Amazon. You can also read it for free with Kindle Unlimited.
What’s next? Are you working on anything at the moment?
Iβm currently editing an older manuscript. The story is set in ancient Dacia and draws heavily on the lore of that land.
Historical fiction? Awesome! And in the meantime, where can people read more of your work?
Several poems and a short story have been published in various anthologies, e.g. βWith Lyre and Bowβ (2016, Bibliotheca Alexandrina). I also love to share snippets of my work on Instagram.
~
My copy of Hiraeth was won in an Instagram competition, and was not an ARC (author review copy) β my opinions are my own, and are expressed with sincerity! Share yours below.
This post is part of my Gothic Psyche series, exploring the mind and madness in a gothic setting. Continue reading with An Unutterable Wretchedness of the Mind: Jane Eyre, and Everything was Brightness, or Dark: Wide Sargasso Sea.
Generally Gothic 