PHONEUTRIA

Message for you

I truly thought that certain things only happen in movies, but evidently, the film itself is life. As Hitchcock would say, 'Film is life with the boring bits cut out.' Apparently, there comes a time when there's nothing left to cut.

Some might say - this is a story about sex. Some might say - this is a story about politics. Some might say - this is a story about homosexuals. Some might say - this is a story about prostitutes. Some might say - this is a story about revenge. No - I would reply. This is a story about justice. What is revenge, anyway? God writes the script, and karma directs. This is a story about all those who cried with a smile and laughed with tears. This is a story about justice that has unfortunately died within injustice.

I know that an author's words are usually found at the end of the story they want to tell, but while writing this novel, I realized that I bear a certain responsibility.

Phoneutria is the true story of different people, pieced together and packaged to be an untrue fairy tale that slaps reality in the face of anyone who reads it.

I want to say one thing: Phoneutria is my fourth novel. My first three novels, the "Games of Secrets" trilogy, tell the story of five teenagers who hide their secrets. In the novel "Dead Children Don't Lie," I talked about drug addiction, sexual abuse, suicide, and aesthetic standards. In my next, the second novel, "The Truth Will Bury You," I discussed how all these same issues affect young people. "Two Faces of One Truth" was a bit heavier, covering more complex themes like teenage pregnancy, rape, depression, homophobia, and familial sexual violence. Through a compelling plot that keeps readers engaged and thinking, I wanted readers to understand what today's youth is going through and the choices they make to escape these problems.

In "Games of Secrets," I carefully considered how I built the plot. I paid attention to the words I chose and was constrained by the language itself. I didn't want to be crude or vulgar. I didn't want to turn something educational into something repugnant.

In "Phoneutria," I have no holds barred. I cut to the millimeter and I'm ready to depict reality exactly as it is, even if it contradicts all the rules of literature.

"Phoneutria" has been the most challenging endeavor I've taken on so far. It's more mature, more realistic, and it opens your eyes. I like to say, "This is a novel that shows the truth in the most revolting way." So, if you have a strong stomach, are unafraid of the truth, and are ready to look beyond what's right in front of you, this is the novel for you.

If you're not, this novel can seriously play with your mind and kill you with the truth. In both cases, the outcome is the same. Sometimes, we have to swallow something, even if it's the most disgusting taste in the world, just to realize one thing: there is much evil in this world. The most dangerous is the one we don't see, but it sees us.

A lot of love.

Ivan