Skip to main content

Interview with Rachel Florence Roberts

     Today, I have the honor to host Rachel Florence Roberts. She is the debuted author of The Medea Complex. It is a psychological thriller about a woman, who is placed in an insane asylum because she was viewed unfit to stand trial for the crime which she was believed to be indicted. I have enjoyed and recently reviewed the novel, and I believe that she will continue writing great novels in the future. This interview gives us an insight about the author and her novel. Thank you, Ms. Roberts.



1. Did you always aspire to be a writer?

Yes. Ever since I was eleven years old, and sneaking my dad's Stephen King Books out of his (not so well) locked 'man cupboard'. I shocked my English teacher when I did a book report on 'Misery'  - but she gave me an A+ (boo-yah!).

 2. What are your favorite genres? Do you like historical fiction?

I love historical fiction, but my absolute favorites are psychological thrillers - such as Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane, and American Psycho!

3. Are there any authors that have especially influenced you?


No. I wanted my book to be unique in it's genre - I can't honestly say that I took inspiration from anyone in particular - if anything, it is an amalgamation of the thousands of books I've read throughout my lifetime.

4. What inspired you to write your story The Medea Complex?

After my son was born, I suffered with pretty bad postnatal depression. It was my subsequent research into the subject, and its history, that inspired The Medea Complex. I was also taken by the book written by Dr George Savage - 'Insanity and Allied Neuroses'- in fact, many of the medical note's about 'Anne' are real quotes from this casebook.

5. Which of the historical figures in your story do you find the most fascinating, and why?

Dr Savage - by far. He was a man well ahead of his time. I have tried to keep his character and nature as close to the 'real' man as possible - his memory deserves it. He was a great contributor to modern psychology.

6. What do you think about the Victorian psychological methods of the time?

I think that they were suitable for the time.  In fact, you were LUCKY if you were treated
in an insane asylum at the end of the 19th century - it was the best time to be in
one, as their attitude was 'moral therapy', and 'rest and recuperation'. It was
early to mid 20th century that saw the worst of it - lobotomies and such.

7. What message do you hope readers will gain from The Medea Complex?

That a mother will do anything to protect her child.
                                                                                                                                                             
8. I would love there to be a sequel to The Medea Complex. Are you still thinking about writing a sequel? 

Yes, I am working on a sequel. I'm so excited!

     Rachel Florence Roberts was born in Liverpool. She was inspired to write The Medea Complex after the birth of her first son. It is based on true events that occurred towards the end of the 19th century. This is her first novel. You can visit her website at http://www.themedeacomplex.com.














Check out my review of Rachel Florence Roberts novel:

The Medea Complex


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nell: Marshal of Bodie (The Nell Doherty Mysteries #1) by John Edward Mullen: A Book Review

Nell: Marshal of Bodie (The Nell Doherty Mysteries #1) Author: John Edward Mullen Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense, Western  Publisher: Murders in Time Press Release Date: 2022 Pages: 300 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In the winter of 1892, the once-vibrant gold-mining town of Bodie, California is in serious decline.        Nell Doherty, an 18-year-old young woman with a wooden leg, dreams of leaving and becoming a Pinkerton detective.       When a tragic shooting presents her with an opportunity to prove she has the skills needed to work for the Pinkertons, Bodie’s justice of the peace deputizes Nell — over the loud objections of the majority of the town’s residents.      Can she prove them all wrong?       Nell digs in and investigates the shooting, with the help of Rags, her half-Irish, half-Chinese be...

The King's Jewel by Elizabeth Chadwick: A Book Review

The King’s Jewel Author: Elizabeth Chadwick Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance Publisher: Sphere Release Date: 2023 Pages: 456 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Wales, 1093.      The warm, comfortable family life of young Nesta, daughter of Prince Rhys of Deheubarth, is destroyed when her father is killed and she is taken hostage. Her honour is further tarnished when she is taken as an unwilling concubine by King William's ruthless younger brother Henry, who later ascends the throne under suspicious circumstances.      But it is Nesta's marriage that will really change the course of her life. Gerald FitzWalter, an ambitious young knight, is rewarded for his unwavering loyalty to his new King with Nesta's hand. He is delighted, having always admired her from afar, but Nesta's only comfort is her return to her beloved Wales. There, she cannot help but be tempted by the handsome, charismatic and danger...

The Woman from Lydia (The Emissaries #1) by Angela Hunt: A Book Review

The Woman from Lydia (The Emissaries #1) Author: Angela Hunt Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian, Biblical Fiction Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Publication Date: 2023 Pages: 330 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  Synopsis: Widowed Euodia, known to her neighbors as "the Lydian woman," seeks to make a fresh start by moving to the foreign city of Philippi. She finds new purpose after meeting Paulos, apostle to the Gentiles, who opens her eyes to helping those in need, particularly women and those who have been enslaved.        Retired Roman soldier Hector has settled in Philippi with dreams of a future filled with wealth and status, pooling his army earnings with Lucius, his fellow comrade-in-arms turned business partner. His hopes are dashed, however, when Paulos robs their youngest enslaved girl of her lucrative ability to foretell the future, rendering her worthless to Hector's ambition.     ...