Crossed Lives is the first foray into fiction for prolific nonfiction writer, editor, and Ayr Writers’ Club member, Derek Hall.
Writing under the pseudonym of Robert Hennegan, Derek draws upon his personal experiences working as a Tour Leader within Siberia, Mongolia, Albania, China and North Korea. The result is a wonderfully weaving novel about unequal relationships, unintended consequences, and the assumptions we make about ourselves, and others.
Acknowledging the rich literary traditions of Central and Eastern Europe, transcending a number of genres, Derek’s debut is a fictional exploration into the raw nature of ‘Europeanness’.
It is 1989: a year of momentous change.
In the still unforeseen last months of the Cold War, Hazel, a young anthropologist, travels with a motley group of tourists to an isolated Balkan society still ruled by a harsh communist regime.
To a background of breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and unlikely
encounters, Hazel becomes beguiled by the lugubrious and enigmatic local tour guide, Arben.
But the tour is dramatically curtailed before Hazel can act on her growing obsession.
As the end of communism brings violent upheaval to Arben’s country, Hazel
struggles to find a legitimate reason to return. When she does, her exploitation of Arben as both an emotional and anthropological object, produces some unexpected results.
As Hazel delves further into Arben’s background, the past begins to catch up
with the present, with devastating consequences that stretch across Europe.
To order a copy of Crossed Lives, or for any enquiries, please email Derek through his publishing company, Seabank, HERE, or please feel free to speak with Derek on any Club Night – he would be more than happy to make copies of his novel available for fellow members.