Barry Varkel released his fourth book, Big Jon Harry’s Revenge, at The Book Lounge, in Roeland Street, last month.
The launch on June 21 was hosted by the legendary Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse who described the book as an interesting experience since Mr Varkel incorporates music into the story.
“I love the songs he chose, I can relate to it and it definitely adds value. When you read a book it’s about visualisation, about pictures, but in this book with the lyrics it makes the story sensuous and I really enjoyed the read,” Mr Mabuse said.
Mr Varkel, a lawyer from nine to five, says he started writing in March 2020 and finished the book in September 2022.
“I would take a Saturday off to go hiking and relax and calm my mind; and then Sunday would be spent working on the book, once my mind was free of the rigidity of lawyering and my body was exercised after the hike,” Mr Varkel said.
“I then had to get my heart and soul into the mood for the book, because it was very much a sensory and high energy experience, both of body and mind,” he said.
The author believes that authenticity is essential in any creative form because it builds trust with the audience, and while he does not share too much about Big Jon Harry, he does claim that the inspiration for this story was always a thought.
“I have always been fascinated about the love and sexual relationship between men and women, and I wanted to create an authentic character who was a man who had something different to most men; something that women immediately recognised and were mesmerised by,” he said.
