Margit Sandemo’s first interview in English

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Margit Sandemo’s first interview in English about the publication in the UK at last of her most famous saga -- The Legend of the Ice People.

Tagman put the following ten questions to Margit which she has just answered from her home in Sweden by fax.

Question 1: What inspired you to write The Legend of the Ice People ?

MARGIT: A wall painting from the Middle Ages that I saw in a Swedish Church -- of a devil standing behind a woman who is churning butter.

Question 2: Are you pleased your books are appearing in English at last ?

MARGIT: Oh yes! Because I have been waiting for that in 25 years. English is the most important langauge in our world, and without a translation into English I can’t realize my dream of seeing The Legend of the Ice People as a film or as a TV series. Besides – I admire the English country, the history and the people.

Question 3: What are your reasons for choosing The Tagman Press to publish your books in the UK?

MARGIT: It was the translator Gregory, who recommended your company.

Question 4. Do you feel there are important underlying lessons about life in your books - or are they pure entertainment?

MARGIT: No the books are not pure entertainment. If you read them, you will get a warm feeling of humanity.

5. Is Silje, the heroine of Spellbound, based on anybody in particular – and how much of yourself is there in her ?

MARGIT: Silje is pure fantasy, but I must admit, I dislike house-keeping, just like she does!

Question 6. You’ve sold 39 million books altogether so far- did you ever think when you started writing that your books would become so popular?

MARGIT: Not at all ! I was so happy and surprised when I got 2,500 Norwegian kronor for my first novel (about £200 pounds ). That was the limit, the summit, I thought.

Question 7: Some parts of the ‘Ice People’ saga seem to reflect your own experiences in life. Are these important parts of the story?

MARGIT: I don’t use my own life or any living persons. Just one bad story in book number 38 is from my life. I had to get rid of the nasty happening. But yes, the one thing I take from my real life is the unreal, the supernatural.

Question 8. Are you looking forward to visiting Britain to promote your books and give media interviews?

MARGIT: Yes I do!

Question 9. What do you think of Britain and the British?

MARGIT: Well, see my answer to Question No 2! I would like to see more of the English countryside. I don’t care for cities. The British people are a big mixture of characters, with a very fine sense of humour.

Question 10. You’ve written 170 books to date - what are you writing now?

MARGIT: I am writing a big book called “The Queen of Sorrow” about my ancestor 49 generations back in time, a Swedish and Danish queen, who lived 500 years after Christ. (And I regret it. It is a hell of a job!)