1. What inspired you to write this book?
There is a profound sense of alienation in the modern
world. We are realizing that our lives are shaped by a governing class, but we
only feel that 'pressure' when the government stops reflecting our personal
values. For a long time, many of us viewed our own social constructs as
universal. Now, as those constructs shift into something we deem undesirable,
we feel like strangers in our own land. This is what inspired It Always Rains
in Estaran. I aimed to explore the fragility of power, the fragility of
idealism, and the cyclical nature of the war between competing value systems. A
striking real-world example of this is the reaction to the recent 'Bad Bunny'
halftime show. While millions tuned in, a significant portion of society chose
to ignore it entirely, creating their own 'alternate' halftime show. Why?
Because they no longer feel that the 'main stage' reflects their value system.
It almost doesn't matter if that detachment is born of cultural preservation,
resentment, or a refusal to evolve—the result is the same: a society so divided
that we can no longer even share a television broadcast, let alone a national
identity. This dissociation, where people retreat into their own “boxes”, is
exactly the atmosphere I wanted to capture in Estaran. There are two Estarans
and neither accept one another. The book isn't about which side is right; it’s
about the tragedy of the division itself. It’s about the 'rain' that falls on
everyone, regardless of which box they are hiding in.
2. What exactly is it about — and
who is it written for?
The central ideas and themes of the book explore the fragility
of power and idealism
alongside the constant battle of values. It serves as a
reflection on how values we
perceive as universal are often not so, suggesting that as
people, we have no choice
but to constantly fight for our future. Although Estaran feels
geographically and
regionally resonant, it represents every nation conceivable,
offering an analysis of the
ongoing global climate where values are dissipating and times
are changing for the
worse. Ultimately, in the
world of Estaran and our own, there are no simple heroes, but the villains are
easy to identify. I wrote this novel for readers who find themselves at the
intersection of political fiction, history, and dystopian thrillers. It isn’t
designed to be a fast-paced action story; rather, it’s a deliberate and
atmospheric.
3. What do you hope readers will get out
of reading your book?
It is a call for each of us to choose those who can uphold
rather than destroy, acknowledging that the struggle is not merely for
ideology, but a war for decency against degeneracy. No matter how pragmatic a
revolution built on idealism becomes, the narrative emphasizes that what was
won can only be maintained through empathy, acceptance, and understanding.
Ultimately, in the world of Estaran and our own, there are no simple heroes,
but the villains are easy to identify.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and
cover design?
The cover design is actually a personal story, as my
girlfriend and I collaborated on it ourselves. The image was inspired by two
factors: the blurring of our hero, and the thematic attempt to remove his
influence from Estaran’s collective consciousness.
Overall, the main design element is that blur. It
represents a general being erased from the very history he helped create. As
for the title, it was the first thing that came to mind when I began writing.
To me, the rain represents the constant, inescapable pain and the relentless
struggle for power and values.
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have
for fellow writers – other than run!?
Just write. Don’t get
bogged down in the styling or the editing in the first draft. Let the story
flow and the world build itself!
6. What trends in the book world do you see --
and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
I feel publishing is heading toward a more “decentralized” world where
authors and readers find each other in smaller, more dedicated pockets. Like
the world of Estaran, nothing is truly universal. We write for our own box
unfortunately. And I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
7. Were there experiences in your
personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?
I studied Government
at Georgetown University, while also diving deep into the philosophy of mind
and cognitive sciences. This background was essential in writing It Always
Rains in Estaran, (and my other works) as it allowed me to blend the
political with the philosophical.
8. How would you describe your writing style?
Which writers or books is your writing similar to?
Ouff, that is a tough one to respond to… but I guess I
would describe my writing style as atmospheric and, at times, very
dialogue-heavy. I know that’s not for everyone; it can sometimes come across as
preachy or even 'monology.'
But at the end of the day, my work is about the human
political condition. I love the clash of ideas between two people in a room. I
want the reader to feel like they are eavesdropping on the conversations that
determine the fate of a nation.
9. What challenges did you overcome in the
writing of this book?
Honestly, the biggest
challenge was the language barrier within my own head. Writing both in Turkish and in English can
sometimes be daunting and outright difficult as I navigate both languages. My
friends and I often call it Turklish as we sometimes blend the two even in
conversation. So navigating that is sometimes annoying to say the least... Especially
when you forget a certain word in English but remember it perfectly in Turkish So the editing process was crucial to all my
work.
10. If people can buy or read one book this
week or month, why should it be yours?
BECAUSE IT’S GREAT! Just kidding… I wish
I had that sort of self- confidence.
But in all seriousness, I think most
political fiction is focused on heroes and villains while ignoring the true
emotional toll on the people involved.This book
is for anyone who feels that sense of modern alienation and wants to
understand why the 'idealism' we were promised feels so fragile. It may not be
perfect, but I feel like the emphasis on both the intimate lives of the
characters and the struggle of society as a whole is a fresh take on the
political fiction world.
About The Author: Murat Boyner is a
30-year-old writer and Georgetown University graduate whose work primarily
engages with the philosophical complexities of power, justice, and ideology. Drawing on his
background in political philosophy, he has published the dramatic exploration of tyranny
The Council (2022) and the philosophical science fiction novella Neptün
Müzakereleri. His current and most ambitious project, It Always Rains in
Estaran, builds on these interests by examining the friction between secular
progress and deep-seated tradition through the lived experience of navigating a
culture defined by its historical transition and heritage. For more info, please see: https://muratboynerr.wixsite.com/author?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
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