A large crowd gathered for the presentation held on Friday afternoon – the meeting began with interaction with the audience and a group photo, and soon the conversation turned to the openness of the book, its popularity, and the author’s decision to tell her story.
“I still don’t understand why people buy that book and read it,” admitted E. Mildažytė.
The book has already been published seven times. Asked why, in her opinion, it resonates so much with readers, the author said that writing about oneself can avoid certain dangers. “You can’t write about anything else, you have to write about yourself, because that’s the least dangerous,” she said.
Nevertheless, E. Mildažytė did not hide that she is pleased to see such a connection between readers and the book. “It’s very nice that the book resonates with people, you feel the contact and a very good relationship,” she said.
“Only when I told it did it happen”
E. Mildažytė said that before she started writing, she doubted whether she should tell her story at all.
“At first there was doubt, of course, you can choose not to tell the story, nothing will happen, but only when I told it did it happen,” she said.
According to the author, writing the book was also a kind of self-test: “A test of whether you are worthy of something,” E. Mildažytė said about the book.
She also spoke about the emotional and geographical knowledge gained from traveling through Lithuanian cities and towns.
“Grateful for the emotional and geographical knowledge,” said the author.
“Wormwood Honey” begins with the sentence “I woke up in a detention cell.” E. Mildažytė focused mostly on the less beautiful episodes of life in her book. “This is a description of mistakes, who is interested in your good deeds?” she said.
This is a description of mistakes, who is interested in your good deeds?
In the author’s opinion, the most important thing is that the book reaches the reader. “People want heart. The goal is for it to resonate with the person,” E. Mildažytė said.
About the openness of the book, she said:
“Your sins are in your head, not in my text.”
S. Pilinkus: “Such a book might not have existed”
The book presentation was moderated by Saulius Pilinkus, who viewed “Wormwood Honey” somewhat differently.
“Such a book might not have existed. I liked the book ‘Date with Lithuania’ more because it is full of love for the Homeland. I think books like ‘Wormwood Honey’ are not needed,” he said.
I think books like “Wormwood Honey” are not needed.
S. Pilinkus also spoke about E. Mildažytė’s openness and its cost.
“There are no evil people, but everyone interprets differently. Edita is too brave, that’s why she gets hit,” he said.
Read more Lithuanian photography quiz: will you answer all 10 questions?
The author herself disagreed with such a characterization. “I am not brave. Is saying what you think bravery?” E. Mildažytė asked rhetorically.
S. Pilinkus also noted that E. Mildažytė has not read her own book. When asked what she likes most about it, the author answered briefly: “The cover.” Laughter rippled through the audience at the book presentation.
Kaunas – the city of childhood
Although E. Mildažytė was born in Marijampolė, she calls Kaunas the city of her parents and childhood.
“Kaunas is my parents’ city and my childhood city,” she said.
S. Pilinkus also emphasized the author’s special connection with Kaunas and joked that here she navigates like a fish in water.
During the conversation, E. Mildažytė was also asked about the men she mentions in her life. Why does she love them all? “Because I have something to thank them for,” she replied.
However, the author believes that “Wormwood Honey” is primarily for the Lithuanian reader. When asked if such a book could interest people in another country, she doubted it.
“I don’t think so, because there is a recognition factor in Lithuania. Abroad, there could be nothing similar to the success here, in Lithuania,” E. Mildažytė said.
She also emphasized that she did not want to write a book that would not move the reader. “I did not want a book that would not evoke emotions,” the author said.
Preparing a family recipe book
For another similar book, E. Mildažytė is not thinking yet.
“I have nothing more to tell or advise,” she said.
However, she does have plans for a new book. The author is preparing to publish a family recipe book. “More precisely, I am already preparing to publish it. It would be a tribute to my grandmother’s memory, a cozy book,” E. Mildažytė said.
During the meeting, she was also asked what the title “Wormwood Honey” means. At first, she addressed the audience with a question: “What do you think?”
Later she explained that wormwood became a symbol of bitterness for her, and honey – of sweetness. “I thought about what is the most bitter thing in Lithuania – wormwood is bitter, but it also has many benefits. The sweetest thing in Lithuania is honey, but bees collect the sweetest honey from the most bitter thing. Turning life into honey is in your own hands,” the author said.
Read more ES failed to agree on extending sanctions against Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov
And E. Mildažytė simply stated the motto of her book:
“The motto of my book is always listen to your heart and never be afraid of anything.”
