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Totally Booked with Zibby

Fiona Davis, THE STOLEN QUEEN

Jan 9, 2025
Fiona Davis, a New York Times bestselling author, explores her passion for historical fiction woven with real New York City landmarks. She discusses her unique Boston book club that celebrates her work through location tours. The conversation touches on the allure of modern celebrities like Kim Kardashian intersecting with history, and the meticulous research behind her narratives. Fiona shares insights into her creative process, from juggling multiple plotlines to overcoming writer's block, and reveals exciting plans for an upcoming book tour.
21:55

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The inspiration for The Stolen Queen stemmed from a viral image of Kim Kardashian, blending contemporary culture with historical artifacts.
  • Fiona Davis's extensive research revealed that only 6% of the Metropolitan Museum's collection is displayed, enriching her novel's narrative depth.

Deep dives

The Inspiration Behind The Stolen Queen

The concept for The Stolen Queen originated from a viral photo of Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala, where she stood next to a gold-covered sarcophagus recently acquired by the museum. This intriguing blend of contemporary pop culture and historical art sparked a deeper investigation into the story of the sarcophagus, which had been robbed, leading to an investigation revealing forged export papers. This narrative underlines the tension between modern celebrity and ancient artifacts, giving the author an engaging entry point into the historical fiction genre. Although Kim Kardashian is not featured in the book, her presence at the gala highlights the cultural collisions that serve as a backdrop for the story's events.

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