Alexander the Great and the War in Iraq: An Interview with Children's Author Katherine Roberts - Page 3

Where and when was it published?

America August 2006, U.K. March 2007.

Which aspects of the work that you put into the book did you find most difficult?

Reducing the length by a quarter so that it could be published as one volume, not three. Originally, it was 200,000 words. I wanted the book to be an epic read, rather than lose some of its power by splitting it into three. I also wanted it published as one volume because I know from experience how frustrating it can be trying to track down the various parts of a trilogy when you're ready to read them.

It was difficult to reduce the length because that meant cutting 50,000 words, which is almost the length of a normal sized book. But I prefer the published version, because reducing the length has made the story much tighter and stronger.

Which did you enjoy most?

Writing the horse's voice, which allowed me to sneak in all sorts of comments about the recent war in Iraq without anyone realizing.

So, what would you say I am the Great Horse is really about? And, why was it important for you to comment about the war in Iraq in this way?

I suppose it is my 'post 9/11 novel', since I started it a few weeks after the twin towers came down in New York. If you think about what Alexander did back in 322 B.C., it mirrors almost exactly what Bush and Blair tried or are trying to do to Iraq and Iran after 9/11. The only difference being that Alexander led his men personally against the Persians (and he wasn't after oil).

What sets the book apart from the other things you have written?

It is written by a horse [and] yes, this is the first book I have written from the point of view of an animal. My other novels have young protagonists, usually in their teenage years. With Alexander, this would not have worked since his story spans his whole life. So I used the horse to tell the story instead.

In what way is it similar?

It covers a period of Eurasian history and includes elements of fantasy. I have always been a fan of fantasy and [science fiction] SF. My first four books were genre books - the Echorium Sequence being a fantasy trilogy, and Spellfall being a fantasy meets real world story. My Seven Fabulous Wonders series is based on ancient Greek, Babylonian and Egyptian history and their myths and legends.

Article Author: Ambrose Musiyiwa

Ambrose Musiyiwa has worked as a freelance journalist, book reviewer, and a teacher. One of his short stories has been featured in an anthology of contemporary Zimbabwean writing, Writing Now: More Stories from Zimbabwe (Weaver Press, 2005.) He is a regular contributor to OhmyNews International. …

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