Renowned Vermont author Chris Bohjalian has reached a significant milestone in his literary career with the release of his 25th novel, The Jackal’s Mistress.
Set during the American Civil War, the novel explores the unlikely bond formed between a Union soldier from Vermont and the wife of a Confederate soldier, who nurses him back to health after he is severely injured in battle. The story is inspired by a brief passage in a 1869 book by Aldace Walker, a Civil War veteran from Vermont. In an interview for NBC5’s In Depth segment, Bohjalian explained that while his novel draws from this historical account, it expands on the idea, crafting a larger and more epic narrative that incorporates elements of love and survival.
“So the book is inspired by this snippet of history, six pages in Aldace Walker’s book, but it’s not that story,” said Bohjalian. “I wanted to write something bigger, something more epic, something that might be a love story.”
In addition to discussing The Jackal’s Mistress, Bohjalian reflected on the significant changes in the world of publishing over the years, particularly the rise of digital media. He acknowledged the growing popularity of tablets and audiobooks, noting that while these new formats have reshaped how readers consume literature, the emotional connection to physical books remains strong.
“I think we still have a totemic connection to books made of paper,” Bohjalian said. He shared a personal anecdote about his mother’s first edition of Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, which he still cherishes. “I still have my mother’s first edition of The Old Man and the Sea. I don’t have the dust jacket, because when I was a little boy, I drew the Starship Enterprise into the sky above the Caribbean. I wish I had that even more than I have the first edition book. But I love having that book because there is my mother’s name inscribed on a bookplate on the inside in her penmanship.”
Although Bohjalian remains a fan of printed books, he also embraces the convenience and appeal of audiobooks, which he consumes avidly.
For more insights from the acclaimed author, viewers can watch the full NBC5 In Depth interview available above.
