Maria Rey. Interview with the author of The thousand names of freedom

We chatted with María Reig about her new historical novel.

Photography: Maria Reig. Author's website.

Maria Rey is another of those young examples that, from self-publishing, but with determination and enthusiasm, literary success is achieved. With titles like Paper and ink y A promise of youth, now presents a new novel that has just come out: The thousand names of freedom. In this interview He tells us about her and much more. I thank you very much your dedicated time and kindness.

Maria Reig — Interview

  • CURRENT LITERATURE: Your last published novel is titled The thousand names of freedom. What can you tell us about it and where did the idea come from?

MARIA REIG: The thousand names of freedom is a journey back in time to Spain at the beginning of the 1815th century through the stories of three characters: Inés, the middle daughter of a bourgeois family from Santa Cruz de Tenerife who must travel to the peninsula to help her family; Modesto, a Commerce student who aspires to become a deputy and discover that Cádiz de las Cortes that disappeared in XNUMX; and Alonso, a man with a quarrelsome life who hides from his past in the streets of Cadiz, but who will receive an assignment that will change his plans and his life forever. In the itinerary of each of these three lives, secrets, desires, revenge, politics and that incessant search for freedom so characteristic of the XNUMXth century will intersect. 

The idea arose from my love for History and for that specific period that I liked to study so much and that is the backdrop for some of my favorite novels. I really wanted to explore the ins and outs of the reign of Ferdinand VII, tell stories of searching and overcoming in such a convulsive and determining period. Through the documentation, I was specifying the characters and nuanced the plots. For me it has been a very enriching and exciting experience. 

  • AL: Can you go back to that first book you read? And the first story you wrote?

MR: I don't remember the first book I read, although I suppose it was one of the books of stories that my sister and I had. However, I do keep in mind some of those that marked my childhood: I loved those of Kika Super Witch, which I devoured in hours, and I really enjoyed titles like The Neverending Story o The land of burning gold

yes i remember the first story long i wrote. It was a summer, I had a few twelve years. And recounted the experiences of a girl my age. From that moment on, and although the story was not very ambitious, I wrote a long story every summer. I loved taking advantage of the holidays to get into my bubble and create characters, scenes, adventures. Little by little, they became more complex and extensive. 

  • AL: A head writer? You can choose more than one and from all eras. 

MR: There are several writers who have left a deep mark on me. Among them I would highlight Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Not me austen, Tolstoy, Maria Dueñas o Katherine neville

  • AL: What character in a book would you have liked to meet and create? 

MR: I think Elizabeth Bennett, the protagonist of Pride and prejudice.  

  • AL: Any special habits or habits when it comes to writing or reading? 

MR: For read all I need is for there to be enough light and I'm over paper that of electronic book. And to write, I like it andlisten to music while I work – I create playlists for each novel – and I need reread the latest I have written before continuing. 

  • AL: And your preferred place and time to do it? 

I love read in the sofa, in the afternoons of tranquility and relaxation. read in the train, although it is less common, I also love it. For write, the ideal place is my office, with all the notes and reference books very close at hand. 

  • AL: Are there other genres that you like? 

MR: As a reader I explore all kinds of genres. As soon as I read a Russian novel of the nineteenth century as a current thriller or contemporary narrative in the style of Sally Rooney. As a writer it is true that I have a weakness for the historical novel. For me, the documentation phase is vital in the creation process. And, in addition, I am fascinated by the capacity for disclosure that the genre has. 

  • AL: What are you reading now? And writing?

MR: I'm reading sarum, Edward rutherfurd. Regarding writing, right now I'm focused on promoting The thousand names of freedom

  • AL: How do you think the publishing scene is and what decided you to try to publish?

MR: I think the publishing world has acquired a unprecedented dynamism in recent years and that the possibility of publish to new voices, something very positive, necessary and refreshing. However, the frenetic pace of publication also makes everything extremely ephemeral. The challenge is to somehow make an impact on a reader, to be able to carve out a niche on shelves that never had more options to choose from. 

In my case, I decided to publish because, from a very young age, I have needed to write, create stories. For many years, I thought they would stay in a drawer, only available to my family and friends. But then I thought I didn't want that to be my story, that I wanted to try to share what I wrote with other people. So I started to try it and, with work and illusion, I got it

  • AL: Is the moment of crisis that we are experiencing being difficult for you or will you be able to keep something positive for future stories?

MR: I believe that each experience shapes us as human beings, impacts us and leaves a residue from which interesting conclusions can be drawn. I am convinced that what I have experienced will make me approach certain situations in a different way and, perhaps, empathize more intensely with some characters. In the end, inspiration, for me, is nourished by learning, experiences, work and observation


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