Author: King Hurley

ISBN:  13: 987-0-9774188-5-5

Today, Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, King Hurley, author of Mondai Nai.

Good day King and thanks once again for participating in our interview.

Norm:

Mondai Nai is your second novel, how would you compare the challenges or obstacles  you encountered while writing Mondai Nai with your first novel The Interview?   

King:

Mondai Nai is based loosely on the rewarding experience I had as a graduate student living in Japan and as an executive working for a Japanese company. Through these unique experiences, I gained insight into the lives, fears, pressures and joys experienced by the Japanese. The major challenge with Mondai Nai was to capture the emotions and personalities of the Japanese in a way that was extremely accurate.  

Norm:

Is there an underlying message in Mondai Nai? If so, what is it?

King:

I had a tremendous opportunity to intimately experience Japan and I saw a depth and complexity that was fascinating. An objective in writing Mondai Nai was to capture those intricacies in a respectful way while also showing the struggles each of us face as we approach the world and our lives. The main character makes a magnitude of serious mistakes, survives those mistakes and as a result he becomes stronger due to learning from those failures. My hope is that the readers, regardless of their nationality, can reflect on their own personal challenges as they read Mondai Nai and hopefully gain strength in knowing that every individual is facing real challenges but can survive them and eventually thrive.

Norm:

Why do Americans have a fascination with Japanese traditions and culture?

King:

Japan is an island nation with a rich culture that has developed with very little outside influence. Japan is also one of the most important economic powerhouses in the world. This combination creates tremendous intrigue.

Norm:

As a follow up, have there been many North American authors who have penned novels that are set in Japan?

King:

There have been brilliant novels such as Gai-jin by James Clavell and Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden that have masterfully captured historical components of Japan. My hope is that Mondai Nai captures modern Japan in a special way that is thoroughly enjoyed by its readers but more importantly approved by the Japanese for its authenticity.

Norm:

Kai Waters is quite a character and he seems to have a knack of attracting women who are very eager to seduce him. How did you go about creating this character?

King:  

The isolation of Fujinomiya and the unique circumstances each student faced created extremely interesting personal dynamics. Each of the relationships Kai formed resulted in magnificent complexities. All of the characters in Mondai Nai are searching in their own special way and I believe the readers will empathize with each of their struggles and triumphs.

Norm:

When I read Mondai Nai it reads more like a work of non-fiction than fiction. Was that your intention? Why did you make that choice?
 

King:

My intention in writing the story was to make it relate as close as possible to reality, while utilizing the freedoms that fiction offers.

Norm:

What is next for King Hurley and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

King:

I am currently working on my third novel, The Little Kahuna, and hope the readers enjoy both The Interview and Mondai Nai. Norm, thank you and the readers for your kindness.

Once again thanks for participating in our interview.

 The above interview was contributed by:  NORM GOLDMAN:  Retired Title Attorney: Editor & Publisher of Bookpleasures. Here are  Norm Goldman's Reviews       

 To read Norm's Review of Mondai Nai CLICK HERE