News Nation Logo

16-year-old Kevin Missal explores mythology in new book

Mythology Holds Great Fascination For Kevin Solomon Missal, A 16-year-old Schoolboy From Delhi Who After Delving Into Ancient Greek Mythology Now Looks At Traditional Narratives Associated With Christianity In His New Book.

PTI | Updated on: 17 Jul 2013, 04:19:34 PM

New Delhi:

Mythology holds great fascination for Kevin Solomon Missal, a 16-year-old schoolboy from Delhi who after delving into ancient Greek mythology now looks at traditional narratives associated with Christianity in his new book.

Missal, who debuted as an author two years ago with the tome "Damien Black: The Battle of Lost Ages" in the just launched book spins a tale of angels and demons in his new book titled "Unlocked."

The book revolves around Casper Socrates, a dark and complex character drawn from the Christian fantasy, who is trying to fight the demons in and around him.

An avid fan of Paulo Coelho, Missal says he is a voracious reader of mythologies and is already planning his next book on Hindu mythology.

"I simply love reading mythologies. I think they are beautiful and full of mysteries," says Missal.

Fantasy is the forte of the young author who says not many writers from India have written extensively on this genre.

"Christian mythology has never been explored by Indian authors. It is an unexplored territory," says Missal who is a student of class XII.

Missal says he modelled the protagonist Casper Socrates, in "Unlocked" partly on one of his friend's brother and partly on himself.

"Casper is kind of an anti-hero. He is totally different. No one can read his emotions. He wears a facade all the time. He is very cold and does not talk much," says Missal who took about one year to finish the novel.

"I have myself experienced demons in my life but not like that of Casper's. Casper is trying to unlock himself from the evil forces around him. He is a rebel," says the author.

Missal wrote his debut novel at the age of 14. "I started writing since I was 11 years old. I write everyday on everything. Writing is my stress-buster. I cannot live without writing," said Solomon who hated books till the time he read Charles Dicken's "Oliver Twist".

Missal, who has read about 300 books so far, feels that a writer should have no limits while writing.

"If you don't cross your limit, you can't write. We can't express ourselves if we stay in limit. We should write what we think," he said.

Missal points out that there were times when his books were rejected by Indian publishers as they thought his books won't suit the taste of readers.

"Both my books were rejected by Indian publishers who said they are too "firangi". I could not find takers for my book," he says.

Missal is confident that "Unlocked" will be appreciated by fantasy lovers, by old and young alike.

The toughest part of writing says the author is to remain anchored.

"While writing a novel sometimes I become so engrossed that I keep forgetting important things. When I was writing this novel, I faced the same problem too," says Missal.

The book has been published by Vamptasy Publishing.

For all the Latest Lifestyle News, Travel & Books News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.

First Published : 17 Jul 2013, 04:16:00 PM

Videos