Q&A with Barbara Stark-Nemon

 

 

 

Barbara Stark-Nemon is the author of the new novel Isabela's Way. Her other books include Even in Darkness. She lives in Michigan. 

 

Q: You’ve said that you were on a bicycle trip from Portugal to Spain when you came up with the idea for your character Isabela, and you had just reached the top of a hill. Can you say more about that?

 

A: On the glide down the hill to the next stop, a 14-year-old embroideress came to me with her story of escape through a journey from Portugal to Spain, then France and finally to Germany. Our next stop was in Evora, Portugal where I learned the story of Queen Isabela of Portugal who became Santa Isabela. There was my character’s name.

 

And she had to have allies. This is a coming-of-age tale, so I dreamed up David to be her supporter.

 

Q: The writer Mary Morris called the book “a meticulously researched and elegantly written novel of secret histories, fierce determination, and ultimately love.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I loved this description, especially from Mary Morris, whose Gateway to the Moon was an early inspiration for Isabela’s Way, and has a number of related themes. Research is so important to my writing and praise for the writing itself is pretty thrilling.

 

Q: Especially given the current rise in antisemitism, what do you hope readers take away from the book?

 

A: I hope readers recognize that even in frightening dangerous times, we need to find and nurture connection to those who can help us and whom we can help.  This is an old story, but also an urgent current story—Jews throughout history have had (and still have) to fight for their Jewish identity and the opportunity to live in it freely.

 

I had no idea when I began writing this book that I’d be launching it in such a fraught time. I take courage from the 14-year-old girl I’ve written— her resilience and optimism.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am catching up on some smaller projects that have taken a back seat to getting Isabela out into the world.  No firm plans yet for the next big project!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Because I like many forms of fiber art— I quilt, knit, crochet and sew— I was drawn to the study of embroidery personally, and decided to “try my hand” at it!

 

My wonderful book cover designer incorporated embroidery-like images into the cover for Isabela’s Way and (perhaps unwisely) I determined to recreate that cover as an embroidered piece.

 

That decision opened up a whole new world of local embroiderers, international organizations with vast stitch banks, and textile history over hundreds of years.

   

  

Stitching the book cover has been a challenge, a joy, and a meditation. I appreciate the skill and exacting patience required to do embroidery well, and the complexity of the design process. I have experienced occasional frustration (!) but also the quiet thrill of bringing color and texture to an outlined design. 

 

Finally, it’s been a delightful way to deepen my understanding of my main character!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Barbara Stark-Nemon.