In connection with the recently released in Poland, the fifth novel by Victoria Hislop pt. "Postcards from Greece", which is also the third (after the novel "The Island" and "The Thread"), whose action the author has in Greece-in cooperation with Albatros publishing house I had with pleasure to conduct an interview with the writer. I wanted Victoria Hislop to tell us something about herself, about her relationship with Greece, how it all began, and how it is with the Greece in the life of the writer. Victoria Hislop proved to be a nice person, from whom warm warmth strikes me: Thank her for the time she sacrificed for this conversation.
I invite you to read the interview, as well as constantly to read the "Postcards from Greece", because "greeting cards from Greece" is a journey through Greece, which is worth to take place.

Beata betas Kuczborska: The first of the issued in Poland, and a novel by the Lady with Greece in the background, was set in Crete and Spinalondze, the second: in Thessaloniki. What caused the choice of places? Is there a story that relates to those places, or is there any personal experience or taste?

Victoria Hislop: These places inspired me, natchnęły when I visited them. These first "visits" were random – I didn't know what effect they had, but then I felt that they were an inspiration to me and that they would become something important in my life. Both of these places: and Spinalonga, and Thessaloniki, are full of history – so overflowing with this story that you can almost feel it walking tamtejszymi the paths.

Beata Kuczborska: Poczytna "Island" activated in Poland in my opinion and popularized about Spinalongi as a place to which to be exported to the sick leprosy: I dare say that before the release and huge success of "the Island", O Spinalondze heard in Poland Few, and today hundreds of people vacationing annually in Crete want to visit also Spinalongę. Do you like your feelings if you think about the British? Was this show of the island the reason for the novel, and did you expect this effect?

Victoria Hislop: When I wrote "The island" I had no idea that the novel would become such a poczytna, and even more so, that the disputes of such a popularity of the island of Spinalonga. But I was hoping that someone would like to make a novel and sell a few copies–the success was a surprise and a big surprise also! When I was looking for a British publisher willing to spend an "island" it turned out that this is not so simple and that there is simply no takers. It was not really that easy: the subject, which is the fate of lepers, did not seem to be a sought or commercial topic – rather, quite the opposite. But there was something in this story that interested people, which somehow influenced them: perhaps because it is a story about isolation and survival, with a happy ending. The island of Spinalonga now actually attracts the crowds of tourists of all nationalities who have read this novel – for me today it would be difficult to sail there again. The history and past are still alive, and I hope that all those who visit Spinalongę will feel it.

Beata betas Kuczborska: You have the perfect clerical workshop: Reading the novel is a huge pleasure. Where did this lady trained? 

Victoria Hislop: Oh, you are a very nice lady! I suspect I have a fantastic translator – a big thank you to him! If it were different, don't usłyszałabym the compliment! I studied English literature at the University of Oxford, but it was a time when the literary works were deconstructed, which was the opposite of creation. But I suppose that because I read a lot and pasjonowały me different styles, and my vocabulary was very rich–when I was ready to write, I had a lot of tools I could use on my side. But the most important thing for me was "telling a story" in a simple, accessible and nieudziwniony way. I do not want to prove that Wymądrzam-just convey a certain idea, a certain history.