Q&A: The Artist and the Soldier by Angelle Petta

I’m delighted to welcome Angelle Petta to What Cathy Read Next today ahead of the publication of Angelle’s historical fiction novel, The Artist and The Soldier on 1^st May.  I’m thrilled Angelle has spared time from the launch preparations to answer some questions about her book and its inspiration.

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About the Book

It’s 1938. Bastian Fisher and Max Amsel meet at an American-Nazi camp, Siegfried. Neither have any idea what to do with their blooming, confusing feelings for one another. Before they can begin to understand, the pair is yanked apart and forced in opposite directions.

Five years later, during the heart of World War II, Bastian’s American army platoon lands in Salerno, Italy. Max is in Nazi-occupied Rome where he has negotiated a plan to hire Jews on as ‘extras’ in a movie – an elaborate ruse to escape the Nazis. Brought together by circumstance and war, Bastian and Max find one another again in Rome.

Praise for The Artist and the Soldier

“Navigating the complex terrain of the friendship, love and sexual awakening of two young men in the shadow of Nazi occupation, Petta summons tenderness, vulnerability and insight. The Artist and the Soldier reminds us what it means to be human in the face of fascism. A timely book!”  (Michaela Carter, author of Further Out Than You Thought)

“To keep company with Max, Bastian, and the characters in The Artist and the Soldier is to celebrate life and art and the extraordinary capacity of each to heal.” – Nicole Tong, author of How to Prove a Theory

“What an amazing true-life premise for a great story! It made for a compelling read. The narrative of Petta’s novel drew me into her historical fiction world, and held me through to the end. Petta has created an original, well written, and fascinating work that takes me back to one of the most important turning points in modern world history.” (Lauren Nalls, author in Of Words series)

Format: ebook, paperback (348 pp.)      Publisher: Warren Publishing
Published: 1^st May 2018                           Genre: Historical Fiction

Pre-order/Purchase Links*
Publisher | Amazon.co.uk  ǀ  Amazon.com  ǀ Barnes and Noble ǀ IndieBound
*links provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme

Find The Artist and the Soldier on Goodreads

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Interview: Angelle Petta, author of The Artist and the Soldier

Angelle, welcome to What Cathy Read Next.  Without giving too much away, can you tell me a bit about The Artist and the Soldier?

The Artist and the Soldier tells the story of two young men who come of age and fall in love, set against the backdrop of true events during WWII.  The book explores the true stories of Camp Siegfried and the making of the film, La Porta del Cielo. It sheds light on largely untouched stories in American and Italian history.

Bastian and Max meet in Camp Siegfried. When did you first learn of Camp Siegfried and think about making it part of your book?

I first learned about the summer camps like Camp Siegfried from an NPR story.  I was actually in Rome at the time and it was one of those stories that sparked something in me.  After reading the article I did more research and learned about several camps spread throughout America.  I decided that Max and Bastian lived in NY, so Camp Siegfried fit the bill.

The film La Porta del Cielo (The Gates of Heaven) also features in the book.  What was it about this film that interested you?

I think what struck me the most about the story when I first heard it was that I’d never heard it before!  It was so fantastical, had all the makings of its own Hollywood movie.  It was a lost story that I wanted to investigate.

How did you approach your research for the book? Do you enjoy the process of research?

I knew that the first part of the book would take place in the States so I started my research with the summer camps, as well as general research about living in NYC in the late 1930’s and other events during that time.  Then I wrote the first part of the book before I started my research about the war, the occupation of Rome, and about the movie.  I wanted to be into my characters’ story so that Max and Bastian, along with the history of the time, could drive the story forward.  Most of the plot points in part two of the book are based on actual events that happened during that time.

I did really enjoy the research process.  Some of it, in terms of what I read, was difficult to consume because of so much sadness and heartache.  But for every story of hate, I found one that told of love. I knew when I started the book that I did not want to dive into the daily life of the concentration camps.  Many other writers have already written about that time and place with such stark realness and sorrow that I felt like I had nothing to add.  So the fact that I didn’t have to dive into the world of the concentration camps was helpful in that the research didn’t go there.

What was the most surprising fact you came across during your research?

I think it was the way Italy’s citizens tried to minimize the loss of lives of Italian Jews, often putting themselves at risk.  The number of Jewish lives lost in Italy was minimal compared to many of the other countries that were invaded; only around 8,000 went to concentration camps.  This is not to minimize the devastation of losing those 8,000.  However, 30,000 were able to go into hiding between 1938 and 1944 with the help of Italian citizens and the church, and 7,000 were able to flee.

What was the biggest challenge you faced when writing the book?

Staying true to both my characters and the history.  I wanted the book to be accurate, but I also wanted to listen to Max and Bastian and what they needed.  Also writing about the few people in the book who were really there, mainly the director of the movie, De Sica, and the general of Bastian’s army platoon, General Clark.  I did not want to put words into their mouths, so I learned as much about them as I could and tried to be as accurate as I could in portraying them.

I believe The Artist and the Soldier isn’t your first novel.  Can you tell us about your writing journey?

This is my fourth novel, but it’s my first published work. I began writing about 15 years ago writing through several genres.  Over the years I sharpened my craft by taking classes, joining critique groups, going to conferences, reading, and most importantly of all, writing.  The only way to become a better writer is to write through it. I hope to re-visit my third book someday as I think it has a lot of heart and potential.

Which other writers do you admire and why?

Oh so many! To name a few, Neil Gaiman for his world building and the utter beauty he is able to portray.  David Sedaris for his humour and ability to make me laugh out loud while reading. Barbara Kingsolver for the way she can turn everyday people and occurrences in poetry.  I will be forever grateful to J.D. Salinger for Franny and Zoey.  Elizabeth Gilbert’s The Signature of All Things is a masterpiece in my opinion, as is Sue Monk Kidd’s The Invention of Wings.  The Book Thief tore my heart out in the best way possible and All The Light We Cannot See continues to inspire me.

[Angelle, I think you have been taking a sneaky peek at my own bookshelves!]

Do you have a special place to write or any writing rituals?

I like to move around a lot when I am writing.  So I will start at home, then go to a coffee shop, then go outside, etc.  When I go for a writer’s retreat, which I try to do at least once a year, I always stay at places with lots of location options.  Moving from one place to another tends to activate my thoughts. Before I start writing a new novel I also re-read On Writing by Stephen King.  It’s just such an insightful and motivating book to read before venturing into a new project.

What are you working on next? 

I am in the beginning phases of writing another historical fiction novel, which takes place in the early 1960’s.  It will be a story about mental illness, identity, and how far we go for the ones we love, even when they inexplicably hurt us.

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About the Author

Angelle Petta began writing novels 15 years ago and has written in several genres.

​She holds an MA from Emerson College, and a master’s equivalency in Drama Therapy through the NADTA.  Angelle is a registered drama therapist and a PhD student at Lesley University.  She works as a Drama Therapist at an Expressive Arts Center in Virginia called A Place To Be.

​She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, two delightful dogs, and one fat cat.

Connect with Angelle

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