Congrats on the book, Lucy! I'm a three-country person myself, and yes, it can get complicated, because the country where I grew up--France--is not the country of either of my parents (US and India). So I feel I am from France, but I'm not French. But I'm fluent in French. And I have an Indian name, but light skin and eyes. I understand a lot of Bengali, but I don't speak it. I speak Spanish. My answer to where I'm from really varies, like yours, depending on who is asking and how much they really want to know. And how much time we have to talk about it!
I, too, wish most things were less categorized. Pretty much all my career has been multi-disciplinary, and my second historical novel, now in the hands of my agent, has a part Indian/Muslim, part French/Catholic young boy at its center. And now I'm starting a publishing company, Galiot Press, to publish books that defy categories and that blur lines.
“Most of what I've done in my life is probably because I'm mixed. My work has stemmed from feeling a little off-key.” This really rang true for me and I also think that it is a process that can take decades of work and gradual reflection and realisation.
Congrats on the book, Lucy! I'm a three-country person myself, and yes, it can get complicated, because the country where I grew up--France--is not the country of either of my parents (US and India). So I feel I am from France, but I'm not French. But I'm fluent in French. And I have an Indian name, but light skin and eyes. I understand a lot of Bengali, but I don't speak it. I speak Spanish. My answer to where I'm from really varies, like yours, depending on who is asking and how much they really want to know. And how much time we have to talk about it!
I, too, wish most things were less categorized. Pretty much all my career has been multi-disciplinary, and my second historical novel, now in the hands of my agent, has a part Indian/Muslim, part French/Catholic young boy at its center. And now I'm starting a publishing company, Galiot Press, to publish books that defy categories and that blur lines.
All the best with the launch of your book.
This was very inspiring and educational.
“Most of what I've done in my life is probably because I'm mixed. My work has stemmed from feeling a little off-key.” This really rang true for me and I also think that it is a process that can take decades of work and gradual reflection and realisation.