Interview with Aleksandra Rozmus, the author of “The Cruel One”

Aleksandra Rozmus

SC: Let’s start right off the bat. What turned you to writing?
AR: It was actually quite funny. I never had such ambitions, I was a devoted reader ever since I learned how to put letters into words. I was in my school newspaper once, and that was all. But then, one day I laid my hands on a book describing a subject I was interested in. And it was written quite poorly. I figured that if such a book had been printed, I should not have any problems bringing my own writing to the market. I had no doubt about it. And now we are here, speaking about the “Okrutnik” (Eng The Cruel One).

SC: Indeed. What can you tell us about your first book?
AR: It takes place in Poland in the year 2018 AD. Its a story of Stanislaw, a man who rejected civilization and lives his life in the forest, close to nature. Yet his life is far from being peaceful. His bloodline is sworn to serve Slavonic Gods. Stanislaw, against his will, becomes a demon slayer who must protect his beloved and the whole of humanity from the undead and monsters who dwell in swamps, forests, lakes and seas. His best and only friend is a gift from the God of War – a dagger, the only weapon that can kill the soul of a demon. His life is harsh and dark. But can a woman bring some light to this darkness? The eternal war between the brothers Perun and Veles comes to an apocalyptic conclusion. The end of the world is near: the undead, monsters and demons come out of the hiding after centuries of waiting in the shadows. The Church is gaining more and more followers hoping for salvation. But a war cannot be won by a single man. You need a whole army. And one just woke up from centuries of slumber.

SC: Why Slavonic Mythology? Why modern-day Poland?
AR: I don’t believe that Gods and monsters belong in the past. I don’t believe that They existed before the so-called “baptizing of Poland,” and that they disappeared after. I believe that they were not random beings made up by humans, but mythical manifestations of the evolutionary “shadows” coded in human subconcious. I believe that there is a purpose for their existence, and they are needed now as much as in the past. Mythology is the first form of psychology. I was born in the country and I grew up on Polish legends, but was also raised up a devoted Catholic. I am a conservative and a patriot, and for most of my life I was putting the equation mark between those two and Catholicism. This part of my worldview changed somewhere around 2013, when I met a man who opened the doors to the world of Slavonic religion to me. At the time I was totally against such things, but with time I started to feel more and more attracted to it. Also, I found much more in common with my pagan ancestors. I have big ambitions. I found out that Fame and Glory were valued over gold and wealth, or even long life. Soon I went crazy, I began to read everything I could find on the subject of Polish legends, demonology and religion. I chose modern-day Poland to show that our culture does not belong to the past but that it’s still here, sometimes hidden in places and customs we would never suspect. The price we pay for living in all those cheap luxuries and easy life is often much higher than what we gain. We are getting weaker in every possible way. We are demoralised probably more than ever before in history. My stories are about family, love, being a man, being a woman, responsibility, tradition, and the value of the cruelty and beauty of nature. Nature will always be able to show us our place on earth, no matter how evolved or how technologically advanced we are.

Aleksandra Rozmus

SC: What is „The Cruel One“?
AR: The name was suggested by my fianceé. The Cruel Ones were part of Slavic tradition, men who were dressing up as monsters and animals during religious rituals and festivals. To learn the specifics of my interpretation of their role or the curse they bear, and how I made it fit for 21st century, you must read the novel.

SC: Slavic religion is the axis of your novel and you seem to have some opinions on the matter. Rodnovery is becoming more and more popular in your country. Slavic Paganism is officially recognized as a religion by the administration. Are you active in some such organisations?
AR: I have participated in some pagan holidays and on many festivals which reconstructed different rituals. I think it’s a really cool idea to cultivate old traditions. I like reconstruction especially, dressing in historical clothes. It looks great in festivals, like the one in Wolin. But it is the right context, aside from that, I think dressing up for holidays in everyday life is over the top. It makes no sense. If you want to know how your ancestors would do things today, just look in the mirror. You are the same as they are. Only the times have changed. If you behave like your religion belongs to the past, it is already dead. But to answer your question, no, I am not a member of any organisation. I prefer to spend time in the forest, to sleep in a tent, to feel that I am part of nature, rather than go to some organised ritual where tons of increasingly random people come.

SC: How has your family reacted to your novel? Does anyone have any knowledge about Slavic religion?
AR: Beside me and my fianceé, none of my relatives nor anyone I know has any interests or knowledge in the matter. That was one of the reasons why I wrote „The Cruel One“.

SC: It was your motivation?
AR: Of course. One of many. Slavic Mythology is gaining a lot of popularity in Poland in recent years. It gets fashionable in a way. But it still cannot compete with Nordic Mythology, for example. There is still no show nor high budget movie that could attract people, let alone Slavs, towards Slavic Mythology. Look at the success of „Vikings“. And the Witcher games did their part in opening Slavic mysteries to the wide audience. There are many books about demonology, mythology, history, culture and languages but they are attractive only to the few. I want to hit the imagination of the popular fiction reader. To make everyone from teenage students to housewives curious about the roots of their own culture.

Aleksandra Rozmus

SC: What sources do you base your created world on?
AR: The universe described in „The Cruel One“ is based mostly on the book „Mitologia Słowiańska“ by Aleksander Gieysztor which is the source material for many currently functioning rodnovery churches in Poland. But it is a fantasy novel, so I added myself a bit to it, and mixed a few themes. I have merged Slavic mythology and Polish legends into one coherent reality. Many forgotten characters got a new life on those pages.

SC: Do you have any other passions beside Slavic religion?
AR: For already four years, I am absolutely addicted to the gym. I do it for myself, not for a big ass or perfect waistline for the summer. I want to keep my body and spirit sane and healthy. Besides that, I love reading books; fantasy, romance, and horror are my favorites. And obviously, everything that is related to the Slavic faith. In general, I could simply say I am interested in self-improvement in all possible fields.

SC: What are your plans for the future? Will you continue to write in the universe you created for „The Cruel One“?
AR: Yes, I’m just finishing the second volume, but I am still not sure if there will be a third part. Maybe in the future, who knows. I already have quite a few ideas for novels and there are some pieces I’ve already written. My other ideas also revolve around Slavic matters. One of the novels I started to write is set in the early Medieval Ages. If you are a Slavophile then you should certainly follow my publications. I’m just getting started.