On September 12, 2014 Victor Malarek, a Canadian journalist and author, had the official book launch of his latest work of fiction titled “Orphanage 41”.
The book ultimately presents “a discovery of roots unknown” of Mykola Yashan – the main character – and his struggles with the “tragedies, road blocks and twists and turns” that he is forced to deal with. For Mykola, Malarek really wanted a spiritually uplifting ending in the book and he believes that is what he achieved.
Victor Malarek was inspired to create this work of fiction when doing research on his earlier work “The Natashas”. Some time ago, he went to numerous orphanages in Ukraine and saw many young female orphans who were aged out at 16-17 years of age and “sold into that market” of sex slavery and human trafficking “never to be missed again”.
Malarek points out the personal connection to these places because as he was walking through those orphanages, he was reminded of his own history with the boys’ home in Quebec. He began wondering how he can write a book that others can relate to. A book “that they can pick up and understand what is really going on in the mind of the person going through that stuff.” It was at this point the idea of writing this type of book started to percolate in his mind.
He started off with an outline – a basic idea of what the book will look like. However, Malarek does indicate that “so much has changed from the beginning that you wouldn’t be able to recognize it.” The flow of thoughts and inspirations took over during the writing of “Orphanage 41” and Malarek grasped at any inspiration that came his way. “I’m sitting at the airport in Frankfurt and I look up and I see a flight departing to Milan – and I go: that’s where Mykola Yashan is going because there’s something there he has to do.”
It was these small bursts of stimulation that allowed Malarek to expand on his original idea and include events that were never supposed to be in the original draft. The book is filled with intrigue, drama, laughter and an examination of the darker side of humanity but, as explained above, does end
Victor Malarek at “Orphanage 41” book launch
Victor Malarek at “Orphanage 41” book launch
V. Malarek signing “Orphanage 41”
V. Malarek signing “Orphanage 41”
Jurij Klufas, Victor Malarek, Sandie Rinaldo
V. Malarek signing “Orphanage 41”
Victor Malarek at “Orphanage 41” book launch
off with an inspirational ending that will surprise everyone who reads it to the end.
All the proceeds from the book's sales on September 12, 2014 went to the the projects of Ukrainian Canadian Social Services to help new Ukrainian immigrants coming to Canada and those in need in Ukraine. Copies of “Orphanage 41” can also be bought online at Amazon.com.
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