Interviewing Amal Singh

Hellooo!!

I recently reviewed the imaginative and immersive The Garden of Delights by Amal Singh a tale of magical powers powered by a unique garden that weaves in gods, intrigue and revolutions. I recently had the opportunity to ask Amal some questions about his book which I strongly recommended!

How do you like to tempt people into reading The Garden of Delights?

I would say anyone who is a fan of Hayao Miyazaki’s works, and loves myths, magic, and lush prose would definitely enjoy “The Garden of Delights”

What drew you to the idea of this Garden?

There were two books that were direct inspirations for “The Garden of Delights”. Susanna Clarke’s “Piranesi” and Karin Tidbeck’s “The Memory Theater”. I have been pretty vocal about my love for both these works. Reading them back to back switched something in my brain. I wanted to try writing something that felt magical, mythical yet rooted, that asked important questions, and gave no easy answers.

We have two very different types of leads in this story with The Caretaker and Iyena are opposites in many ways and their plots cross and circle around each other throughout. What led to these being your core characters?

Interestingly, the book was initially supposed to be entirely from The Caretaker’s perspective. Iyena only made an appearance midway while drafting the book. Later, when the more political aspects of the story took center-stage, I realised the book needed to have multiple POVs. Essentially, the book has insider v outsider POVs, both clamouring for attention, both informing each other.

This story is filled with a depth of history, culture and politics. Which came first the core plot or the world the magic takes place in?

The world came first. The focal point was the Garden, and then, everything sort of spread outwards from there. This also mirrored my actual writing process. My first word, sentences were all inside the Garden, and then, as I explored the world around it, I wrote on. The core plot came much, much later.

You’re well known for your short fiction. How did you find the experience of writing a novel compare?

I love short fiction because it allows me to present a small snapshot of a larger world. Short fiction has taught me the writing craft more deeply where I can experiment a lot. Writing a novel, in a weird way, is both freeing and restrictive, if one can say that. Freeing, because I can explore the world and characters and interact with them in however nuanced or deep a manner I want. Restrictive, because I have to think of plot, which I hate. :) But one day, I hope to write a novel like I write my shorts — freely.

How is the Indian SF & Fantasy scene at the moment? Are there any authors you recommend to keep an eye out for?

The Indian SF & Fantasy scene is thriving, at the moment, with multiple authors doing exciting, pathbreaking work. There’s Prashanth Srivatsa’s “The Spice Gate” which comes out in July, which is a spectacular adventure fantasy. Tashan Mehta’s “The Mad Sisters of Esi” is already rightfully gaining the accolades it deserves.

What else can we look forward to from you in the future and in this weird world of social media where can we find out more?

I am currently working on an epic fantasy and a literary novel, both at various stages of development. Another contemporary fantasy novel is currently out on submission, and I hope to share that with everyone soon!

If there was one book, not your own that you wish you could get everyone to read what would it be and why?

I would like more people to read The Memory Theater. It’s a book full of myth and magic and weirdness, but also one that doesn’t shy away from darkness.