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