Page 38 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 53

A Captivating Tale of Identity, Resilience, and the Struggle
Gwen McPhail’s historical novel, My Place Among Them, masterfully intertwines personal history with compelling storytelling, exploring cultural identity, resilience, and the complexities of honouring the past while embracing the future.
“A strong voice, first of all. The one thing that makes a novel unique is
not so much the setting or the characters but the voice of the writer.”
38 II Reader’s House
BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE WITH “MY PLACE AMONG THEM”
Editor’s Desk I London
the novel reveals Gwen’s unparalleled dedication to authenticity, achieved through meticulous research and collaborative consultation with the Lakota community. This is a book that not only transports its readers to another time but also offers a powerful lens through which to reflect on modern-day cultural and social dynamics.
Gwen’s ability to infuse her characters with genuine emotion and depth is undoubtedly shaped by her years of teaching, where she observed the unfiltered joys, sorrows, and resilience of young people. Her commitment to preserving histori-
cal accuracy while delivering a compelling and compassionate story is further testament to her extraordinary skill as a writer. My Place Among Them is a novel rich with relevance, a labour of love that bridges generations and sheds light on stories both personal and collective.
In this exclusive interview, Gwen McPhail takes us behind the scenes of her debut work, sharing the inspirations drawn from her family’s rich history and her intimate connection with the land and its stories. From the painstaking research process to her reflections on balancing historical fact with creative storytelling, Gwen’s insights serve as a guiding light for aspiring authors and lovers of literature alike. Prepare to explore the heart and mind of a truly remarkable storyteller whose voice and vision have enshrined her place
Gwen McPhail is not just an author – she is a storyteller with a rare capacity
to weave history, family legacy, and cultural reverence into an exquisite
narrative that resonates deeply with readers. Hav- ing spent over three decades imparting knowl- edge and nurturing young minds as a science and agriculture educator, Gwen’s remarkable journey into literature is as inspiring as it is impactful. Her debut novel, My Place Among Them, written under the evocative pen name J. Stanion, is a masterclass in historical fiction that honours truth, tradition, and the intricacies of the human experience.
Drawing from an extraordinary manuscript passed down through her family, Gwen brings to life the stories of both John Iron Horse and Carter Heath– two compelling protagonists navigating the challenges of identity, heritage, and their inner moral compasses. Set against the back- drop of America’s complex relationship with its Indigenous peoples at the turn of the 20th century,
GWEN MCPHAIL