What makes this new novel about self-discovery and self-acceptance your autumn’s essential read?
TAK Publishing House is pleased to announce the debut novel by author Inna Krulko. A Ph.D. in Biology, she formerly dedicated her time to studying papaya viruses in faraway Taiwan, yet later she discovered that the most fascinating events occur outside the confines of the lab – in expressions, narratives, and individuals. Her first narrative, “ There Will Be No Macho for Dessert,” delves into the lives of women weary of imposed roles, chronicling a gentle transformation towards inherent resilience and self-regard, which ultimately reshapes everything. With a blend of wit, recognized patterns, and tender, contemplative moments, this story encourages introspection and ignites a desire for immediate travel! Seemingly prosperous, attractive, and autonomous friends from Kyiv find themselves caught in the relentless tempo of urban existence, experiencing emotional drain and uncertainty. Although they have established their careers, they have become skeptical about finding genuine connection and the notion that love can exist without drama or stereotypical “machos.” Seeking renewal, the women embark on an adventure to sun-kissed Spain. Valencia, chance encounters, intimate dinners over wine, genuine dialogues, and coincidental individuals act as mirrors for each of them, providing candid insights.
The description highlights “emotional fatigue” and weariness “from deceptions and prescribed roles.” Do you believe that this is a widespread concern for numerous women today, and how do your characters discover a solution to this state during their voyage?
“Indeed, the emotional exhaustion experienced by women in current, complex times has almost reached epidemic proportions. We are weary of conflict and concerns about the future; we frequently function “automatically”, assuming personas – strong, passively silent – rather than embracing our true selves. My protagonists overcome this situation specifically through travel: a shift in location and the establishment of new, intriguing bonds assist in changing their personal perceptions. They learn to relinquish control, embrace feelings, embrace spontaneity, and even vulnerability, as this often signals the genesis of strength.”
Comedy and Contemplation: You mention humor, established perceptions, and “warm philosophical notes.” How did you navigate the balance between the levity of a romantic narrative and the profoundness of the protagonists’ internal evolutions?
“For me, laughter serves as a conduit for discussing weighty matters without grandiosity. We possess the ability to chuckle at our mannerisms, established perceptions, and even pain – and this fosters a sense of ease, promoting mindfulness. The narrative contains abundant tender, contemplative moments, yet they are depicted through existence itself – with its coffee aromas, the brilliance of the Spanish sunlight, and female conversations in which everyone identifies with.”
Who do you believe this story will most resonate with? What sensation would you like the reader to experience upon finishing the final page?
“This novel caters to individuals who have, at least once, proclaimed “enough” to themselves – an end to obliging, anticipating, enduring, or surrendering themselves for the sake of another. I aspire for the reader to smile and experience a comforting sensation after the last page. Perhaps even feel a desire to connect with their authentic self – the one they have long postponed.”
What core message do you convey through the expression “self-love, which changes everything”?
“I vividly recall the phrase that a psychologist once shared with me, which has become a principle for my renewed existence: “Self-love entails unwavering loyalty to oneself.” It’s not about egoism. It’s about authenticity. It involves the capacity to heed your needs, respect your limitations, and opt for “sincere” over “correct.” As we cultivate unconditional self-acceptance, we transform the essence of all other connections — with individuals, with the wider world, with existence itself. That is precisely what I wished to convey to my protagonists and readers.”/
photo: Innaria Aleksienko
