Our local writers often find inspiration for their novels from some of the most unlikely sources. For Maggie Jankuloska, the spark for her children’s historical adventure novel, The Rat-Catcher’s Apprentice, caught her imagination when she was researching the subject ‘child exterminators in history.’ How does a seemingly dark, historic topic become a book for children?
Maggie tells us:
Initially I thought this novel was going to be a short story about twin rat-catchers, but Marie’s voice was stronger and I realised this was her story to tell.
Gustave, the rat-catcher, was a fun character to write because he is complex and flawed, but ultimately the moral centre of the story, despite his outcast status.
I have been inspired by authors like: Jackie French, Katrina Nannestad, Judith Rossell, Emma Carroll and Geraldine Brooks.
Although the novel was first written in 2013/2014, there are lots of parallels between the novel’s fictional plague and the COVID pandemic. The novel’s plague brings out the worst in people, driving them to desperation, finger-pointing and panic. While the novel’s plague is fictional, similar plagues outbreaks were a common occurrence during the 17th century in Europe.
So now we have gone from the singular idea about exterminators to a fictional plague that eventually had parallels to our most recent experiences with the COVID pandemic. But at the heart of Maggie’s work is a space for children to enter a society that although long lost to us in the here and now, is a place that still speaks to young readers, their feelings and experiences.
Maggie explains that:
The Rat-Catcher’s Apprentice is a historical adventure novel aimed for readers aged 9+. It is the story of Marie Perrin, a twelve-year old girl living in an insular French village in 1665. Although aware of her limitations as a female from a working-class background, Marie hungers for freedom and adventure. Although she’s set to become a maid for the new countess, Marie often daydreams of a new life beyond her small world.
One fateful mistake costs Marie her position as a maid and this reduces her family to penury. As punishment, Marie is sent away from home and separated from her twin brother, Henri. She is forced to apprentice for an intimidating, but enigmatic rat-catcher, Gustave who lives in the woods with his herbalist wife, Marion.
Marie’s hair is cut and she wear boy clothing in her new role as a rat-catcher’s apprentice. Although she’s often covered in filth, she starts to find satisfaction and purpose in her new role. That is until a plague enters the village and brings with it new challenges which test Marie and those around her.
The Rat-Catcher’s Apprentice is a story of resilience, belonging and courage. Marie is a strong female protagonist who will resonate with young and not so young readers.
The Rat-Catcher’s Apprentice is available now in the YPRL collection!
About Maggie Jankuloska:
The Rat-Catcher’s Apprentice is my first published novel. I enjoy writing for young readers and adult readers, with some of my short fiction and non-fiction being published in: SBS Voices, The Age, n-SCRIBE, Award Winning Australian Writing and more. I was one of the recipients of the 2018 Maurice Saxby Creative Development Program, which helped with the development of this novel.
I am a frequent patron of Yarra Plenty Regional Libraries and the last two years I have been a participant in the Booklovers Festival. In 2015 I was the winner of the YPRL Write Now! short story writing competition with my entry The Departure.
Writing and reading have always been a big part of my life, whether in English or in my first language, Macedonian. I am currently working on a new children’s novel and spending my free time with my family.
Find Maggie on social media:
FB/Instagram: maggiejankuloska_author
Read Maggie’s blog here: https://maggiejankuloskawriter.wordpress.com/