Maria Reva Discusses Booker Prize-Nominated Novel at Kingston Event

Maria Reva will present her Booker Prize-longlisted novel, Endling, at the Kingston WritersFest on Sunday, alongside fellow author Ian Williams. The event, titled “Wild Rides,” will take place at the Marriott Hotel from 13:30 to 15:00. Endling intertwines the story of a scientist in Ukraine with themes of love and loss, reflecting the complexities of life in a war-torn nation.

The narrative centers around Yeva, a scientist who operates a mobile lab in Ukraine, dedicated to studying and breeding endangered snails. The title refers to an “endling,” the last of a species, specifically a snail named Lefty. To support her research, Yeva participates in “romance tours” aimed at Westerners seeking brides. During these tours, she meets two women, Nastia and Solomiya, who are searching for their mother, a staunch opponent of such tours.

Initially conceived as a comedic caper, the plot took a serious turn after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Reva described how the invasion reshaped her writing process: “I was already deep into it when the Russians launched their full-scale invasion, and I just did not know how to continue the book at that point.” This upheaval prompted her to pause writing and reassess the direction of Endling.

During a trip to Ukraine with her sister, Reva sought her grandfather. This journey inspired her to revise the novel, incorporating her own experiences into the narrative. She adopted a unique structure influenced by Salvador Plascencia’s novel, The People of Paper, which also explores personal upheaval.

Reva’s commitment to experimenting with narrative structure proved essential. “I think I was actually the one who was more squeamish about it,” she noted, recalling how she initially removed metafictional elements from the manuscript but later reinstated them. A motivating quote from author Zsuzsi Gartner reinforced her resolve: “I’d rather go down in flames, quite frankly, than have a nice little book.”

Despite the challenges, Reva completed Endling and was uncertain about its reception. “It was just such a difficult book to write,” she admitted. Upon release, she discovered another book titled Endling, published in Germany, also focused on endangered snails. The coincidence with author Jasmin Schreiber highlighted a shared inspiration from an article by Ed Yong in The Atlantic.

Reva embarked on a promotional tour in the United States in June, featuring appearances in cities like New York and Nashville. In New York, she was a guest on Seth Meyers’ late-night talk show. In Nashville, she signed 1,700 copies of Endling for a book club led by author Ann Patchett.

The recognition of Endling increased when it was longlisted for the Booker Prize in July. Reva recalled receiving a text from her editor about the nomination: “I had some inkling, but I didn’t want to bear hope. But it was just wonderful news, and a huge, huge honour.” The promotional tour continues with the Kingston event, where Reva looks forward to engaging with readers.

In addition to the Booker Prize nomination, Reva was also named a finalist for the Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize, which carries a prize of $70,000. Another nominee, Otoniya Juliane Okot Bitek, will join Reva at Kingston WritersFest with her debut novel, We, the Kindling, which addresses the experiences of Ugandan schoolgirls abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army in the 1990s.

The Kingston WritersFest promises a rich literary experience, with events featuring a range of authors and discussions. Reva’s exploration of Endling and her creative journey illustrates the profound connection between personal experience and storytelling. For more information about the festival schedule and tickets, visit kingstonwritersfest.ca.