Peter Carnavas, author of My Brother Ben, spoke to Reading Time reviewer, Sarah Stivens about their newly released book, published by University of Queensland Press.
The character of Maggie reads like a representation of Luke’s healing journey, as they both find their wings. Was this intentional?
I wanted parallels between Luke and Maggie to run through the narrative, though more of an underlying theme than the main idea. I definitely wanted the opening to represent Ben as a protector of Luke, and then Luke as protector of Maggie. Ben saves them both, but Luke takes the opportunity to care for the magpie and become a bit like his big brother – responsible and in charge of something – to the point where he uses Ben’s favourite phrase, ‘Trust me’. As the story moves on, I tried to show both Luke and Maggie growing up and becoming less dependent on others.
How did you come to decide on using birds as a motif throughout the novel?
I’ve wanted to weave birds into a story like this for a long time. I love birds and from an author’s perspective, they are very handy. There’s a lot of symbolism to be drawn from birds and bird behaviour (as you’ve demonstrated in the first question), and the challenge was not to overdo this. The other wonderful thing about birds is that they are almost always around us, if we choose to notice them. The act of birdwatching is a calm and mindful one, so I wanted this to reflect Luke’s character, especially as a way of dealing with the space left by his absent dad.
What’s your favourite ‘important and useless’ thing?
That’s a tough one. It’s something Luke has to work out in the story but I haven’t given it much thought myself. I’d probably choose the little stub of a black pencil I used to illustrate my first book. It was just an ordinary black pencil, nothing fancy, but it was the start of my life as a published author. I still have it in a cabinet with the first copies of my books.
Which bird would be your Soul Bird?
I’m a bit like Luke in the story and wouldn’t choose anything too fast or bold as my soul bird. I think I’m most like a slow-moving water bird – an egret or a heron, perhaps.
What advice would you give to young writers (or illustrators like Luke)?
I think the most important thing to do is to write (or illustrate) the story you want to write. There are going to be lots of people telling you what kind of stories you should write, or which ones are more worthwhile, but just write what you want to write. That way, you’ll enjoy it, and that enjoyment will come through for the reader. Also, read books that get you excited. The more books you read, the better your own stories will become.
Thanks Peter Carnavas and good luck with your book!
See Sarah’s review here.
