Berlin Review of Books and Letters Interview with Ebor Sisk, Author of "Platypus Down"

 Interview with Ebor Sisk, Author of "Platypus Down"

Berlin Review of Books and Letters: Thank you for joining us today, Ebor Sisk. Your latest book, "Platypus Down," has been garnering a lot of attention. Could you tell us a little about what inspired you to write this book?

Ebor Sisk: Thank you for having me. "Platypus Down" is a work of fiction, but it is inspired by my experiences living in Eastern Europe. I wanted to explore the complex cultural and political dynamics of the region, and the way in which history and memory shape people's lives.

BRBL: The book is described as a "narrative puzzle." Could you explain what that means and how you went about creating it?

ES: Well, the book is structured as a series of interconnected stories, each of which can be read on its own, but which also fit together to create a larger narrative. The stories are told from the perspective of different characters, and each one reveals a different piece of the puzzle. I wanted to create a sense of mystery and intrigue, so that the reader would be constantly trying to piece together the larger story.

BRBL: One of the most intriguing aspects of the book is the way in which it blurs the line between reality and fiction. The narrator of the book is named Ebor Sisk, which is also your name. Can you explain the relationship between yourself and the narrator?

ES: (Laughs) Yes, that's a question I get a lot. The truth is, the narrator is a fictional character, but he shares some similarities with me. Like me, he is an Eastern European writer who has spent a lot of time thinking about the region's history and politics. But he is also very different from me in many ways. For one thing, he's much more cynical than I am!

BRBL: The book deals with some heavy themes, such as trauma, memory, and the weight of history. How did you approach writing about these topics?

ES: It was definitely a challenge. I think the key was to approach these themes with empathy and compassion, and to try to understand how they affect people on a personal level. I also tried to avoid being too didactic or preachy. I wanted to present the issues in a way that would allow readers to draw their own conclusions.

BRBL: So what are you working on next?

ES: I'm currently working on a two-book project, "Platypus Hide" and a working title "Platypus Cast." It's another set of stories, each with their own narrator, but with a different structure. The stories are more intertwined and interconnected than "Platypus Down," but they still maintain that element of mystery and intrigue. I am in no great hurry, not like this Elon. More like this James Cameron... a sculptor of books... books that are NOT for YOU. (Winks) 

BRBL: We look forward to reading them. Thank you for your time, Ebor Sisk. 

ES: Thank you for having me.

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Interview with author Ebor Sisk from Подземни Друштво about life, writing, his platypus Down book, etc.

Found this humorous little interview with author Ebor Sisk in a PAPER copy of a magazine called Подземни Друштво (Underground Society?) while I was in Serbia last Summer- it is brief so I thought it wouldn't hurt to type it up just for posterity's sake. UNDERGROUND SOCIETY: reclusive author Ebor Sisk stopped writing just long enough to chat with us about his work, his lack of career, and his never-ending quest to tell a very big story. US: Ebor. How many books have you written. EBOR SISK: Not a dozen. More like eight. Ok, fine: seven. US: You are ethnically Serbian-Slovenian? ES: That is true. US: How many of your books are published outside your native languages? ES: Not many. None, actually - as a matter of fact. None. Yet. But we are talking... people are. THe business people, you know? The movers and shakers. US: You are infamously reclusive. ES: Writing takes a lot of time and energy. I don't have much for much else. Sorry, c'est la vie. You know? If your passion demands it - you DO it. That's just the way it is. US: Isn't it odd to be so well-known in your respective home countries but completely unknown outside Eastern Europe? ES: No. Yes, I guess. But I don't care. US: We also hear that you don't care to do interviews. ES: That is true. US: Any reason in-particular. ES: Well, it takes away from writing time and I just don't think I have that many interesting things to say as answers to my interviewers' questions... but my publicist says I should be on the internet so I am doing this. US: Well, thank you. ES: No problem. US: We have read a review copy of Platypus Down book and we really like it. ES: Thank you. US: We take it these are going to be books? Plural? More than one. ES: If I am so lucky, yes. US: Where did you come up with such a fantastical idea for a novel. ES: First of all it is not a novel, it is a book - these are just books - and second of all it is not mine, so to say, but rather if fell out of the sky onto my head. I am the - how do you say? Chicken little of this whole thing except that instead of freak out I just started to catch the sky as it fell - or as fast as it could. US: But, as the author and a as a writer you must've gotten inspiration from somewhere? ES: My inspiration was life and all the fantastic people I have met along the way. That is all. US: OK, then. That is all we need to know. Hope to catch up with you for... ES: Platypus Hide. It is a big one. US: Looking forward to it. Thanks. ES. Thank YOU. Is this over now? Just kidding. Wink wink.

Outside the loop / the Circle by Dave Eggars

Decided to take a break on the way home during my 65-70 minute bike commute and finally stop at the English Bookshop* on the edge of town. I have been riding by for years - YEARS - and never done more than fish a few things out of their free bin- but the place is great- and although my tiny backpack was already stuffed and my bank account already in the negative I did see something on the shelf which caused me to grab it and buy it immediately- basically as if I were on consumer autopilot, and that item was the The Circle by Dave Eggers.

Had a nice chat with the shop owner and relocated nearly all the contents of the tiny backpack into my shorts pockets thus barely managing to get the book zippered-in for the rest of the ride through rush-hour traffic.

It wasn't until i got home that I noticed the book came out LAST YEAR - at least 18-6 months ago... and that is how out of the loop I realized I am- mind you this particular out-of-the-loopness is adjusted for the inflation of the Internet, but I still mainly get my information about upcoming concerts via paper posters plastered to walls and columns throughout the city with good old wheat paste - quite old school, but if you spend a lot of time out there then you simply absorb the info, (like tonight's Matmos show) - it catches the eye and sinks in...

Anyhow, yea... Bought the Eggers book and now I am afraid to read it. Because of Platypus Down I am afraid to read anything - afraid to watch anything - even FORBADE myself the I diligence of Game of thrones and the gazillion other shows old series or whatever everyone is talking about. 

A simple rule of self-denial: Work, then play...

But: Is it working?

Maaaayyybe. One thing that will steamroll all resistance and test all will and challenge the entire self-imposed system is, of course, the FIFA 2014 World Cup- which starts in 6 days and turns life in Europe (and I assume most of the rest of the world?) completely upside-down for a month...

So, yea, what I seem to be saying: if I ever want to indulge in any guilty-pleasure media again I need to keep on Truckin' and get things DONE.

Hard when you are compelled to re-write the opening chapters hundreds of times...

*ENGLISH BOOKS

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