‘I bring to light a truth, which was unknown for many centuries with direful results for the human race.’ – Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis.
Imagine you’d discovered something. Something that could save hundreds of thousands of lives. But they wouldn’t let you tell anyone. Wouldn’t it drive you mad?
Young Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis uncovers the real reason thousands of young women are dying after childbirth. Yet, in mid-19th century Europe, his simple methods are ridiculed. Semmelweis faces the battle of his life to convince others that the cause is simple…
Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, A Theory in Vienna brings the remarkable story of this man to life.
Writing Interview Questions.
Why did you choose to write your book in this era?
I didn’t so much as choose the era as follow the story where it had to go. Once I decided to write about
Ignaz Semmelweis, the mid-19th century wasn’t optional - it was the crucible that made his story possible. This was a moment when modern medicine was almost within reach, but not yet ready to accept it. Germ theory hadn’t taken hold, hierarchy mattered much more than evidence, and new ideas were often experienced as personal attacks. Writing the novel in this era allowed me to explore not just what Semmelweis discovered, but why discovery alone isn’t enough. The era isn’t just a backdrop; it’s an active force in the story.
Did you find researching this era difficult? Did you come across anything surprising?
Researching the era was demanding. The challenge wasn’t a lack of material - it was learning to think inside a 19th-century mindset. What surprised me most was how reasonable the resistance to Semmelweis often seemed from within the period. The politics of reputation and institutional fear felt unsettlingly modern. Visiting a museum in Budapest and glimpsing the C19th obstetrical implements was pretty unsettling too.
Can you share something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
One thing that isn’t obvious from the blurb is how much of the novel is about loneliness rather than discovery. Semmelweis isn’t just fighting institutions - sadly he is slowly losing his place within the human world around him.
If you had to describe your protagonist in three words, what would those three words be and why?
Driven. Isolated. Tragic. Driven because he couldn’t unsee the truth once he found it. Isolated because being right pushed him further away from others. Tragic because of his early death: those very same qualities ensured he would not live to see recognition of his achievements.
What was the most challenging part of writing the book?
The hardest part was balancing fidelity to history with the emotional truth. I had to resist the urge to protect Semmelweis. I had to allow some of his difficult, obsessive traits onto the page.
Was there anything that you edited out of this book that would have drastically affected the story, should it be left in?
Not anything drastic. There were a couple of sub-plots involving side characters that I decided to remove as I felt they took the reader away from the main plot and themes.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on editing my third novel which is a modern thriller set in Switzerland and the UK. I’m also working on a short story compilation where all the stories are set in Wales.
What would you tell an aspiring author who had doubts about their writing abilities?
Doubt isn’t a sign you shouldn’t be writing; at all! It’s often a sign that you care. Writing improves through persistence and revision, not confidence. If you are able, take some writing courses and obtain feedback on your writing. If a story keeps returning to you, that’s usually the one to work on.
Personal Interview Questions.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I like to be outdoors. Swimming, hiking, or eating al-fresco with friends and family.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A scientist or a singer! I have sung in bands and choirs and have written my own songs.
What’s for dinner tonight? What would you rather be eating?
Dinner tonight will be soup. I like to eat lighter meals in the evenings. I’d rather be eating something Swiss like a cheesy fondue, or a raclette with lots of grilled veggies!
What would be a perfect day?
A perfect kind of day would involve lunch and a long walk up in the mountains on a sunny day, summer or winter! Followed by dinner at home and a games evening with good friends.
What is the best part of your day?
Each day is different. Sometimes it’s the joy of waking when I have something to look forward to and the sun is warm outside. Or it could be the time of day after I’ve worked hard on something, say a chapter, or even just my accounts. It’s that feeling of having achieved something. It can also be lying in bed at the end of the day - the luxurious feeling of having tied up the loose ends of the day and drifting off to sleep.
Either or!
Tea or coffee: English breakfast tea! Although I love coffee too.
Hot or cold: Hot. I can do +30 degrees much better than -30!
Movie or book: A big part of my life is books, so a movie would be perfect for relaxing to.
Morning person or night owl: More night owl.
City or country: Country, by the sea.
Social Media or book: Book.
Paperback or eBook: Paperback at home, eBook when travelling.
Heidi was born in London in the Sixties. She grew up in South Wales, UK and moved to Paris as a young adult where she taught English for two years. She currently lives in Switzerland and recently completed an MA in Creative Writing.
Her first short story was published in Prima magazine (UK) in 2018. Heidi now writes historical fiction. Her first novel, Rebecca’s Choice is set in Tredelerch – an old house in Wales that belonged to her family generations ago. This novel won an award from The Coffee Pot Book Club in 2020, Debut Novel Bronze Medal.
Her second novel, A Theory in Vienna, is set in 19th century Vienna and Budapest. It tells the incredible story of unsung hero Ignaz Semmelweis, whose life-saving discovery was ridiculed at the time.
Heidi enjoys travelling (the further North the better!), singing and writing songs, and spending time reading and writing at her Swiss chalet where the views are amazing.
Follow the tour HERE!
Thanks so much for hosting Heidi Gallacher today, with such a fabulous chat about her writing, and her compelling new novel, A Theory in Vienna.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club