An Author (Male) Speculates on his Readership (Mostly Female)
Though the initials ‘CC’ could conceal a member of either
sex (like JK or, indeed, EL) I am, in fact, a man. Yet judging from my mailbag, most of my readers appear to be women. Despite
various publishers trying to market me with gung ho covers featuring action
heroes, it is the women who write, who seem most enthralled by my characters
and their journeys.
I am very happy
about that – women buy most books after all. But I don’t deliberately slant my
books to one or other gender. I am interested in many aspects of life - and
that encompasses both swordplay and love making, along with politics of church
and state. Most of all, though, I am interested in people – striving, often
failing, some eventually triumphing – though the triumph may not be the one
they originally sought.
It may have
something to do with the fact that I both love and admire women and so create strong
female characters. Historical times, with a few notable exceptions, are
dominated by men – other men wrote those histories after all. But despite the
restrictions placed on them over the ages, women overcame them to pursue their
quests, to have wonderful adventures. Many were forced by adversity to struggle
and win. Many believed in causes as powerfully as did the men of their times.
Most of my male
characters exist in relationship to a woman - perhaps more than on, and often
that is the dilemma. In any of my novels, entwined in the ‘active’ plot of
searching and battle, is a relationship question that is often as important as
any political or military ones, and needs as strong a resolution. In ‘A Place
Called Armageddon’ I explore a question that has always interested me: is it
possible to love two people, fully, passionately, at the same time? Gregoras,
the ‘wounded hero’ at the novel’s heart, is torn between his first love, the
passionate and devout Sofia and the new thrill of the wild sorceress Leilah. How
he resolves that is completely tied up with the fall of the city and of equal
importance by the end.
Perhaps that’s
why so many of my readers are female –and why this book operates on many
different levels. Spoiler alert: Constantinople falls. But the relationship
questions remain unanswered till the very end. And the battles that all my
characters take part in are not just fights for their own sake. They are events
that put people we know in great peril – and may prevent them, or aid them, in
resolving the greatest desires of their hearts.
*~*~*~*~*
You know how the siege of Constantinople ends. It’s written
in the history books.
But what was the human toll? What are the stories of the
people involved? How did they experience this epic battle that tore apart
cultures, religions, and families?
That is what you will discover in author C.C. Humphreys’ new
novel A Place Called Armageddon: Constantinople 1453 (ISBN
9781402272493; SEPTEMBER 2012; $25.99; Fiction; Hardcover).
The year is 1453. The city of Constantinople is at the
center of a clash of civilizations. For the Greeks, it’s their home that has
withstood attacks for centuries behind mighty walls. For the Turks, it’s the
prize they have spent centuries trying to win.
Humphreys features a wide cast of characters from both sides
of the rampart in A Place Called Armageddon. At the center are
Gregoras and Theon. Twin brothers from Constantinople. One an exiled mercenary
who has vowed never to return. The other a rising diplomatic star hiding a
secret of betrayal. A woman who has captured one’s heart, but is married to the
other as a trophy. Two brothers fighting for glory and redemption.
A Place Called Armageddon also imagines what the
battle meant for two real-life historical figures—Emperor Constantine and
Mehmet, sultan of the Turks. Both men fighting for the gods they believe in.
Both sides tasting victory and defeat before the final showdown. Among those
fighting is engineer John Grant, a Scotsman brought to Constantinople to
recover the formula for Greek fire, and Achmed, a Turkish farmer lured into
service by the promise of the spoils of war. Lurking in the shadows is Leilah,
a sorceress who plays a dangerous game with both sides.
From sword fights with pirates to explosions in tunnels and
towers, secret rendezvous in the enemy camp, and the religious and moral
dilemmas of war, Humphreys once again uses his dramatic flair and meticulous
research to weave fiction into fact.
About the Author—Chris (C.C.) Humphreys is an
actor, playwright, fight choreographer, and novelist. He has acted all over the
world and appeared on stages ranging from London’s West End to Hollywood’s
Twentieth Century Fox. As C.C. Humphreys, Chris has written six historical
fiction novels. The first, The French Executioner, told the tale of
the man who killed Anne Boleyn and was runner up for the CWA Steel Dagger for
Thrillers 2002. Its sequel, Blood Ties, was a bestseller in Canada.
Having played Jack Absolute, he stole the character and has written three books
on this “007 of the 1770s”—Jack Absolute, The Blooding of Jack
Absolute, and Absolute Honour—short listed for the 2007
Evergreen Prize by the Ontario Library Association. He is also the author of Vlad:
The Last Confession (Sourcebooks, 2011). For more information, visit www.cchumphreys.com.
2 comments:
Thanks so much for the hosting and nice review! It all looks great.
C.C.
Interesting post.
I agree with your view on history. It was written by men. But that view also gives us lots of fodder for novels as we explore what roles women would have played in history even if it was behind the scenes. Human nature, being a constant in the universe, would make sure that someone hear their voice. :)
Thanks for posting. I'll definitely be checking out your books as a new author to try.
Amy Pfaff
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