The British Library played host to the fantasy exhibition “Realms of the Imagination,” which opened last October and runs until February, and held an exciting event with bestselling author Rebecca Kuang. The exhibition is a delightful journey through the world of fantasy, featuring costumes, manuscripts, books, artworks, games, and more, all telling the captivating story of the fantasy genre. The event has been graced by renowned authors like Neil Gaiman and Susan Cooper, who participated in a fantastic events program alongside the exhibition.

Read: Neil Gaiman: the power of fantasy and making metaphors real

Kuang, a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, is best known for her Poppy War trilogy, as well as her successful work, “Babel.” Her most recent release, “Yellowface,” has garnered significant attention and acclaim. Additionally, Kuang is a PhD student in East Asian languages and literature at Yale University.

In conversation with British fantasy author Saara El-Arifi, Kuang shared her insights and experiences as a writer, providing valuable perspectives on her works and the writing process. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including Kuang’s favourite novels, her creative process, and her research into the Victorian era for her novel “Babel.”

Rebecca Kuang: Her journey, insights and experiences

When asked about her favourite novel among her own works, the Booktok star expressed the challenges of choosing a favourite, stating, “That’s really hard to say because, as soon as I finish one, I’m like, okay, that’s out there. I don’t know them anymore.” She emphasised how the process of writing novels transforms her, and each book represents a different phase of her thinking and growth as a writer.

El-Arifi posed an intriguing question about where Kuang would choose to spend an hour in one of her fictional worlds. The interviewer revealed that she would pick a location in her upcoming novel, “Faebound,” describing a beach called “Conch Shore” as a place she’d love to visit. While Kuang said she enjoyed her days in Oxford, a prominent feature of her book “Babel,” which she also compared to Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”

World-building and character development in “Babel”

The conversation delved into the world-building in Kuang’s novel “Babel.” She explained her approach to reimagining the Victorian era in a more diverse and vibrant way, stressing the historical reality of London as a global hub of trade and interaction among people from various cultures and backgrounds.

One of the fascinating aspects of Kuang’s novels is her portrayal of characters who grapple with complex relationships and inner turmoil. El-Arifi initiated a conversation about one such character, Robin Swift from “Babel,” and his complex relationship with Professor Lovell, who serves as both a father figure and a coloniser in the story. Kuang delved into the psychological nuances of this relationship, drawing from psychoanalysis to explain Robin’s inner struggles.

Read: Yellowface book: mining people’s lives is a form of theft – review

She explained, “I think psychoanalysis is at least useful in just coming up with characters, like in thinking through interiority and wondering what are the really messed up ways a person’s mind can warp in.” Kuang explained how her exploration of Robin’s character drew inspiration particularly from Freudian theories of mourning and melancholia.

The importance of diverse reading and crafting surreal narratives

Furthermore, the author shed light on the importance of reading literature from different linguistic backgrounds and the impact it can have on a writer’s craft. She encouraged aspiring writers to explore literature in translation or from languages other than their own, highlighting that this exposure can broaden their perspectives and lead to more innovative and compelling storytelling.

El-Arifi also asked about Kuang’s upcoming novel, which delves into a more surreal and nonsensical realm. She described her transition from novels with clear, direct realism and symbolic explanations to a fascination with texts that create troubling and bizarre surface-level experiences for readers. Kuang drew inspiration from filmmakers like David Lynch and Hayao Miyazaki, who build fantastical worlds with minimal world-building explanations.

She highlighted the importance of a strong main character as a through line in such narratives, citing “Alice in Wonderland” as a prime example. Kuang is currently working on a novel where nothing makes sense except for the main character. The story revolves around two PhD students on a journey to rescue their deceased advisor’s soul from hell. Kuang’s exploration of unconventional storytelling promises to deliver a unique reading experience in her upcoming work.

Read: Black to the Future: top storytelling voices on demystifying genre

The event concluded with a Q&A session, where Kuang shared her advice for aspiring writers. One attendee asked about Kuang’s approach to writing visceral and impactful descriptions, particularly in her novel “The Poppy War.” Kuang explained that she drew from historical records and underscored that her intention was not to “sensationalise violence” but to present a stark and unflinching portrayal of historical atrocities.

From “Babel” to the surreal depths of her upcoming novel, the versatility of Rebecca Kuang as a writer showcases her commitment to pushing the boundaries of storytelling. Her insights and experiences continue to captivate both readers and fellow authors, making her a prominent figure in the world of fantasy literature.