Tags
Related Posts
Share This
Champagne for the Soul author releases children’s book
Mike Mason is a local author who has written many books including The Mystery of Marriage, Practicing the Presence of People and Champagne for the Soul. His latest, a children’s fantasy called The Blue Umbrella, is his first novel. It happens to be set at Porter’s Store right here in Langley.
Mars’ Hill: What is this book about?
Mike Mason: The Blue Umbrella is about a lively ten-year-old boy named Zac Sparks, whose life suddenly changes. His mother is killed by lightning and he’s sent away to live with two cruel old aunts in a town called Five Corners that is full of dark mysteries. In this grim situation, Zac must determine where the light is shining and who he can trust. It’s a story about learning to trust in the midst of despair.
MH: What made you want to write about an orphan?
MM: We are all essentially alone in the world. Children, I think, at a certain point in growing up, feel this acutely. Certainly others can help us, but when it comes to facing difficult problems, ultimately we must go it alone, finding our own answers, our own courage. This puts us squarely in the place where, possibly, we can meet God.
MH: Can you give a synopsis of the characters?
MM: Five Corners is populated by strange people: a midget butler, a girl who doesn’t speak, a blind balloon seller, a woman who never leaves her house, a singer whom everyone can hear, but not see. Then there’s the old man (or ghost?) who haunts the second story of Porter’s Store and another old man, Dada, a pure villain. Amongst all these weirdos is Sky Porter, the store proprietor, a normal and likable fellow. Yet he, too, turns out to have his dark side.
MH: Why did you set your story at Porter’s Store in Langley?
MM: I live at the top of a hill, at the bottom of which is the real Porter’s Store. A few years ago I awoke in the middle of the night to a flash of insight. I recalled that when I was a little boy, many years ago and many miles away, I also lived at the top of a hill and at the bottom was an old store. How interesting! With this strange convergence of my present and past lives, the whole geography of a children’s fantasy novel flowed into my mind. I could set the story right in my own neighbourhood! But it would really be the neighbourhood of my childhood, which is the deepest source of all writerly inspiration.
MH: What is the significance of the blue umbrella?
MM: The blue umbrella is what Alfred Hitchcock used to call a McGuffin. In a movie or novel, the McGuffin is the physical object around which all the action centres. For example, in The Lord of the Rings, it’s the ring. In my book it’s the blue umbrella belonging to Sky Porter. Why does he always carry it? What does it do? Why does Dada want it so badly? The blue umbrella is shrouded in mystery—a mystery so wonderful that I wish I could tell you all about it. I think it’s worth reading the book just to find out.
Erica, thanks for writing this up and interviewing the author. I too, live at the top of this hill and many times have gone and had coffee at Porter’s – the Five Corners in itself has mysteries and has always been one of those parts of Langley that intrigues people. The history, masked by the unknown is evident in that part of Langley – I love it.
I look forward to read the Blue Umbrella – it sounds like an awesome read!
Cassia
You may find a copy of Mike Mason’s book The Blue Umbrella at Langley Chapters, Blessings Christian Bookstore, and at Porter’s Store in Langley, B.C. They are also available online at amazon.com. If you would like an autographed copy you may go to Mike’s website:
http://www.mikemasonbooks.com to order your autographed copy or to contact the author directly.