One Book Interview #39 – Christina Bergling (Author)

You can find out what I thought of Author 39’s most recent book tomorrow, but today, here’s a taste of her favourite books.

Good people of the Internet, writing out of Colorado Springs – Christina Bergling

Name one book:

1 – everyone should read

Seven Types of Ambiguity by Elliot Perlman. The multiple narrations in this book blew me away. All seven circle around a central event to become a brilliant examination of perspective and distortion. It is one thing to understand that everyone sees things differently, it is more impactful to experience that seven times.

2 – you would take with you if you were going to be marooned on Mars

Different Seasons by Stephen King. “The Shawshank Redemption” is one of my favorite novellas ever. It is simply intoxicating. Yet all four novellas in the collection contain an entire and fascinating world. If I was stuck reading the same book over and over, I would want one with multiple stories.

3 – you took a chance on and were pleasantly surprised by

Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. I knew I always wanted to read the book because it spawned the concept of BDSM. However, I had my reservations because it is so old. I worried it would be as neutered and unemotional as all the British literature I studied in college. Instead, it is brilliant, racy, and raw.

4 – you’ve written that is your favourite

It is a solid tie between Savages and The Rest Will Come. Savages was the world I could keep living in. When I was writing, I thought about it all day, dreamed about it. The story just poured out of me. However, The Rest Will Come was the most fun to write. I was able to include people in my real life in the process.

5 – that has influenced you most as a person

Imperial Life in the Emerald City by Rajiv Chandrasekaran. I went to Iraq as a contractor in 2009, and nothing there made sense to me. This book explained some of the irrational and upsetting paradigms and procedures I encountered. It did not make the things acceptable, but it at least established cause and effect.

6 – that has influenced you most as a professional

Gerald’s Game by Stephen King. I read a lot of Stephen King’s work in my youth; however, this is my favorite novel of his. This book taught me about crafting horror in a restricted setting with very few characters, showing me the horror in the mind. I found that restrained horror far more terrifying than his more fantastical works.

7 – of yours that prospective readers should start with if they want to get to know your work and where they can get it.

The Rest Will Come offers a good taste of horror with some levity. It is available on Amazon and through other online book retailers.

You can find Christina here.

Colorado‐bred writer, Christina Bergling knew she wanted to be an author in fourth grade.

 

 

 

 

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