Page 17 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 53

found respect for the art of African storytelling that has influenced her approach.
Join us in celebrating the remarkable journey of Catalina DuBois, whose voice con- tinues to resonate across borders, encouraging readers worldwide to engage with history in a meaningful way. With each book, she not only entertains but challenges us all to reflect more deeply on the legacies that shape our lives today.
What inspired you to explore historical themes through fiction, particularly focusing on interracial relationships and the challenges faced in different time periods?
After meeting the love of my life I began
to wonder if things may have gone differently for us had we been born just fifty years sooner. Would the world have graciously bestowed blessings upon our love, or would fifty years, a mere blink in time have made us tragically star crossed? If we would have been cursed over
DuBois crafts immersive, thought-provoking narratives that challenge historical misconceptions while delivering deeply emotional and compelling storytelling.
so small a change, how would a hundred years affect us or a thousand?
How do you balance historical accuracy with creative storytelling when writing your novels?
The most important thing is to avoid be- coming so mired in historical details that your story begins to read like a textbook.
What kind of research process do you undertake to ensure your depiction of historical events and cultures is authentic?
Libraries are an abundant resource. I also enjoy traveling to museums and historical sites. My absolute favorite method of research is to interview my elders for firsthand accounts of historical events. There are so many uncomfortable truths and politically incorrect details that never make it into history books. Human beings are the best source of knowl- edge because older folks don’t care about your feelings. They speak the truth and I love them for it.
Your books have received international recognition—how do you think perspectives on American history differ
between audiences in the U.S. and abroad?
One thing I prefer about an international audience is the open-mindedness and the absence of racism. They don’t carve up American history into subcategories based on race to exclude entire ethnic groups in a phony revisionist fairytale that we force-feed to school children. These lies are spread by Americans alone and they sicken me. I love an international audience because they see us all as Americans. There is no black history nor women’s history on a world stage. It’s all American history.
What challenges have you faced in addressing sensitive historical topics, and how do you navigate criticism while staying true to your vision?
Long ago I accepted the fact that I can’t please everyone. Anytime you tell the truth
it angers immature people. They were raised inside a shell of ignorance and fluffy delu- sions. The truth is the breaking of that shell.
It is a painful but necessary transition on the journey to understanding our past and shaping a brighter future for all.
Can you share more about your experience with African storytelling and how it influenced your writing style and themes?
African tales are rarely just to entertain you. There is usually a lesson to be learned. To remain true to this tradition my books have so- cietal lessons within them. I have the greatest respect for African storytelling. It’s one of the precious few customs that made it across the Atlantic. I gaze in the mirror knowing that I have lost my name, my language, my religion, and even my skin color as I have been mixed into the beautiful melting pot that is America. But the one thing I will always have is those stories that filled my heart as a child. Those stories made me a blend of two worlds and I will always try to honor them.
Sara, a Nubian princess, is destined to become Pharaoh’s fifth wife, but her heart belongs to Matthaios, a foreign slave. As duty clashes with love, she must choose between power and passion. Catalina DuBois’ novel explores romance, sacrifice, and defiance in a vividly depicted ancient Egyptian setting.
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