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JUDE & BLISS

Woking News & Mail - January 2022

Mal’s fourth novel was inspired by a real-life story.

A Knaphill author’s latest book, Jude & Bliss, has received glowing reviews... “I’ve been sitting on the concept of writing Jude & Bliss since the summer of 1994 when I first discovered the real-life tale of a young girl from Surrey who was tragically wronged by her employer towards the end of the 19th century,” Mal said, “It somehow stuck, so much so that this was the novel, I was always going to write.”

Readers have certainly taken to the story, which has attracted a series of five-star reviews on Amazon. “The feedback has been brilliant,” Mal added.

Jude & Bliss relates to the experience of Jude Rogers, a wide-eyed but vulnerable 16-year-old who, in 1896, secures a position in domestic service at a large house in Half Moon Street, near Piccadilly, in London. After a brief settling-in period, she quickly realises everything is not as it seems.

“In the synopsis, I did say that the story is not for the faint-hearted, but that’s really because of the descriptions of the autopsy,” Mal said. “It is not a spoiler to say that there is a death in the book.”

“I spent a lot of time reading through reports of Victorian autopsies, and they were so graphic, I had to tone them down for the book. Research is important to me, and I enjoy that part of the process.”

Mal has drawn widely on local events and locations for his previous novels, including Brookwood Hospital, for his first novel, The Asylum Soul, published in 2015.

Previously, he had concentrated on poetry. A talent he had discovered before having to leave school at 15 to support his single mother and younger brother.

He soon had his poetry published, although the greatest accolade came in 2007 when his most widely read poem, The Wedding, was published in the Australian Secondary School’s anthology Poetry Unlocked, which was part of the country’s English Literature exam curriculum for that year.

“I always thought that was quite amusing, considering I left school without any formal qualifications,” Mal said.

(Reproduced: Courtesy Woking News & Mail)

Writing Magazine - March 2021

"Some authors will tell you, there is no better feeling than receiving the proof copy of a new novel, particularly during these challenging times when many people are struggling to keep their mental health, and indeed their lives and livelihoods intact," says author Mal Foster.

"When the proof copy of my fourth book,Jude & Blisswas delivered, it was with a sense of pride and fulfilment that I gleefully accepted it from a rather bemused postman who would never have understood the reason for my excitement.

I’d been sitting on the concept of writing Jude & Bliss ever since the summer of 1994 when I first discovered the harrowing account of a young girl from Surrey who had travelled to London towards the end of the 19th century to enter domestic service. The story somehow stuck, and I was inspired. This was the Victorian tragedy I knew I was always going to write."

In 1896, Jude Rogers, a wide-eyed but vulnerable sixteen-year-old, from Woking, Surrey, secures a position as a domestic servant at a large terraced house in Half Moon Street, near London's Piccadilly. Following a brief settling-in period, she quickly realises everything is not quite as it seems. As time moves ruthlessly forward, what happens next is almost beyond comprehension. Jude finds herself in the most impossible of situations and finally succumbs to the pure evil dealt out by her employer. "I should add, this book is not for the faint-hearted."

"When meeting readers, book bloggers, and indeed fellow authors, the conversation often leads to a character in one of my novels. In all my books, the characters are important to me and I like to introduce them as identifiable and colourful souls without being too over descriptive. Fortunately, the feedback is usually positive, and this makes the whole writing and publishing experience worthwhile. Proof, if needed, amidst all this gloom of contagion, global stress and uncertainty, there is a certain therapy in writing."

(Reproduced - Courtesy: Writing Magazine)

R&A (Round & About) Magazine #2 -February 2021

A good story can take root in the most unusual way. And the seed for Mal Foster’s latest book was planted back in 1994, thanks to the lady running a Surrey Museum stand at the annual Bisley Fayre.

“It was a very informed conversation about this young local girl who was tragically wronged by her employer towards the end of the 19th century,” Mal tells me. “The story stuck, so much so that this was the novel I always going to write.”

Jude & Bliss is Mal’s fourth novel, inspired by this real-life tragedy which ultimately contributed for calls of national reform to help protect young women and girls working in domestic service.

“The death of Emily Jane Popejoy in 1896 was chilling in itself,” adds Mal. “It’s a sad tale.”

Jude & Bliss is set In 1896 and tells the story of Jude Rogers, a wide-eyed but vulnerable 16-year-old who secures a position as a domestic servant at a large terraced house in Half Moon Street, near London’s Piccadilly.

Following a brief settling-in period, she quickly realises everything is not quite as it seems. Jude finds herself in the most impossible of situations and finally succumbs to the pure evil dealt out by her employer... This book is not for the fainthearted!

Who is Mal’s favourite author? “Leonard Cohen. I have always been enthralled by his novel The Favourite Game, which I have read more than once."

What advice would Mal give anyone reading this who wants to write their own book? “If you have an idea, stick with it and persevere,” he advises, “Become your own protagonist as if you were playing that person on stage or in a film. You will find your other characters will form themselves and help build the very essence of your book.”

An established and award-winning poet and former local journalist, Mal was born in 1956 and has lived in Woking since the late 1980s. He loves the area’s rich history, adding: “When you dig deep, you will find it fascinating... My favourite haunt has to be the Garibaldi pub in Knaphill. Always good food and drink and excellent service.”

Jude & Bliss is available in paperback and Kindle formats from Amazon.co.uk. And other online outlets. It can also be ordered from all good bookshops. ISBN 979-8550129265.

For more information about Mal & his other books, please visit malfoster.co.uk

(Reproduced: Courtesy Liz Nicholls, Round & About Magazine)

R&A (Round & About) Magazine - January 2021

Sometimes a true crime, especially one set within earshot of our own neighbourhood really stays with you. That’s what happened to Woking author, Mal Foster, whose fourth novel Jude & Bliss is out now.

Set towards the end of the Victorian era, it tells of a wide-eyed 16-year-old Jude Rogers who secures a position as a domestic servant at a large terraced house in Half Moon Street, near London’s Piccadilly.

“I’ve been sitting on the concept of this book since the summer of 1994 when I first discovered the real-life story,” he tells me. “The story stuck, so this was the novel I was always going to write.”

Watch this space for a longer article in a future edition.

(Above taken from Editorial by Liz Nicholls)

Knaphill Magazine - November 2020

Knaphill-based author Mal Foster has just completed his fourth book Jude & Bliss which is scheduled for publication at the end of November. Readers may remember his debut novel, The Asylum Soulset at Brookwood Hospital which has gone on to receive many accolades including scores of five-star ratings and reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and elsewhere. It has also been a big hit with local readers on social media, with Mal hoping his new historical novel will do the same.

In a recent interview on Radio Woking’s Breakfast with Lara Show, Mal shared his hopes for the new book. However, with his feet firmly on the ground, he has no illusions. “If I were in this for the money, I would be extremely disappointed. However, if just a few people read and enjoy my work, then the whole journey through to publication has been worth it,” he said.

Jude & Blissis set towards the end of the Victorian era and tells the heartbreaking story of a young girl who lived in Knaphill. In 1896, Jude Rogers, a wide-eyed but vulnerable sixteen-year-old, secures a position as a domestic servant at a large, terraced house on Half Moon Street, near London's Piccadilly. Following a brief settling-in period, she quickly realises everything is not quite as it seems. As time moves ruthlessly forward, what happens next is almost beyond comprehension. Jude finds herself in the most impossible of situations and finally succumbs to the pure evil dealt out by her employer.

Mal has lived at his present address in Knaphill since 1993, although his ties with the village go back much further. His other novels are Fly Back and Purify and An Invisible Nemesis.

Mal’s books can be found for sale worldwide on Amazon and from many other outlets across the internet. You can also find out more about his work from his website atwww.malfoster.co.uk

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