Embarking upon a mystical journey
Team L&M
Set in modern India in a dimension where time and space are fluid, Monica Bhide’s The Soul Catcher is a novel in stories – a mosaic narrative about destiny, grief, loss, faith, love, and sisterhood. It takes the readers on a journey that begins with an unspeakable tragedy, and concludes with a surprising resolution. The book features a diverse cast of complex characters – pain healers and lovers, parents and broken souls – that bring life and death to the page.
We speak to the award-winning author of 11 books who has bestsellers like Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken, The Devil in US, and Modern Spice to her credit. Excerpts:
How did you get the idea of such a unique plot – transporting souls from one body to other to keep people alive?
Set in real, yet magical, modern-day India, my mosaic novel, The Soul Catcher has roots in 19th century New Jersey. It was there that one of the most influential inventors in American history, Thomas Edison, lived and worked. Legend has it that Henry Ford asked Edison’s son to catch his father’s dying breath in a test tube now on display at the Henry Ford Museum. This idea that the breath of life can be captured – and shared with those who need it most – inspired me to embark upon a mystical journey, transcending time and space.
Does the idea come from a deep personal loss or its pure imagination?
Both. As with everyone else, I have endured a lot of personal losses and every time, I am reminded that what we really seek – a sort of freedom from suffering – is on the other side of pain. My dear friend, Chef Vikas Khanna, has always advised me to use my pain and suffering in a positive way- to create the best possible expression of myself that I can. So I use it in my art. And, yes, there is a ton of imagination as well. However, there are many things that are in the book that are neither personal nor my imagination and they are the craziest parts of the book. For instance, the book focuses on red rain. Google Red Rain In Kerala and you will see what I mean!
How challenging was it to begin different stories and then intertwine them together to bring out one novel?
In terms of structure, this was the most challenging book that I have ever written. I had to ensure that the main character did not fall out of people’s minds and yet, keep it so the story kept moving forward at a fast pace with other characters. I had a couple of super-talented editors guide me to ensure that the book did not fall through the crazy cracks of my mind!
What message do you want to give the readers through such an unusual story?
|To believe in miracles and magic. The book poses a question to readers – what is your superpower? I believe we all have superpowers – empathy, compassion, love, kindness. When we share these emotions unconditionally, that is our super power. And those superpowers, when multiplied by the millions of people in the world can create magic and miracles.
Share your experience while the book was underway. Did the moods of the story seep into your real world?
It wasn’t exhausting. It was exhilarating. It had its ups and downs as anything in life does. But, this book taught me a lot – how to keep at it (took me six years to write this), how to keep believing and stay persistent. It is easy to give up and there really was no one knocking at my door saying – don’t give up, keep writing. I had to motivate myself every single day. I knew this was a story that needed to be told. Now, I am happy to report that the readers loved the book and it has gained interest with movie producers as well.
The book has a lot of mysticism thrown in… does it come from personal journey of hearing, reading stories from or of mystics?
I love talking to spiritual healers, clairvoyants, mediums and healers. This book is inspired by their experience and is blessed with their guidance. And love.
Are you working on any new book?
I am working on a children’s book and a love story. Both are set to release at the end of this year!
