Hope and Second Chances
Elaine Kozak Author Interview
Rhapsody in a Minor Mode follows a young gifted cellist who has his life turned upside down and goes on a journey of self-discovery and healing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Although it is intended to stand alone, Rhapsody follows from my previous book, The Lighthouse , which was published in 2020. Niels, the protagonist in Rhapsody , is a minor character there. The situation that launches Niels on his journey in Rhapsody is a central element in The Lighthouse (his mother is one of the main characters in that book) but Niels is not aware of it then. I liked his character a lot and wondered what he would do if he ever found out about his parentage. Rhapsody in a Minor Mode is the result.
Niels’s journey is inspiring to read as he overcomes his struggles and rediscovers his passion. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
What an interesting question! Happily, I have never had to deal with the kind of life-changing revelations and situations that Niels confronts. In the years before writing Rhapsody , however, I lost some people (and pets!) who were very important to me, and that contributed to the theme of loss that runs through the book. Beyond that, I have been fascinated by the lives and culture of gitanos since picking grapes with a group of them in France many years ago, and I love flamenco. It was a joy to incorporate both elements in Rhapsody .
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the themes is self-discovery, drilling down to the core of who you are. Our life journey is often full of difficulties, unexpected developments, and incomprehensible phenomena. The way we respond defines us. Another is the tension between embracing and trying to transcend the constraints of the assumptions, definitions, and expectations of one’s family and cultural context. Finally, there is the theme of hope and second chances.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am quite taken by the characters and world that I’ve created in The Lighthouse and Rhapsody in a Minor Mode and not yet ready to let them go. What’s forming in my mind is their origin story. The book is probably 2-3 years to publication.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
The life of Niels Larsen, a gifted young cellist, is unfolding as it should. He’s about to complete his music studies at the University of Toronto, and is ready to commit to Aude, his long-time love and soulmate. His world is shattered when a casual remark at a New Year’s party back home in Vancouver reveals the truth about his origins. Questioning the very basis of his existence, Niels drops out of university, abandons his cello, forsakes Aude, and cuts all ties with his family to embark on a solitary journey of healing and self-discovery. Niels’ journey takes him to Spain, where he falls under the spell of Tiago, an enigmatic gitano guitarist. Tiago’s mysterious legacy launches Niels on a new musical path, and he is torn between a future in Spain and returning to his home in Canada. As he struggles to reconcile the different elements of his life, Niels learns about love, loss, and the true meaning of family, and discovers that sometimes life does give you a second chance.
