Why novelist Benedict Wells is intimidated by success

"In the case of Sasha's suicide, Jules' actions alienated me; I found myself resenting his behaviour. However, this event also added a newfound sense of depth and complexity to his character. When helping Sasha end his life, Jules took on a persona that I, as the author, felt compelled to portray," he continues.

"I wanted to avoid a simplistic black-and-white ending to this chapter — especially given that Sasha had requested Jules' assistance. Instead, I sought to provoke thought and reflection in the reader, rather than providing easy answers."

A labour of love

It took Wells a long seven years to pen 'The End of Loneliness,' despite having already published three novels.

Born in Munich in 1984, Wells rose to literary prominence with his debut novel, 'Beck's Last Summer' (2008), which was later adapted into a film. His literary journey saw the release of his fifth and most recent novel, 'Hard Land,' published in 2021.

Wells' remarkable works have garnered numerous accolades and have been translated into several languages. But what sets 'The End of Loneliness' apart from his other works?

Wells explains: "I consider it to be my most significant contribution to literature. My first three novels were mere practice exercises that I needed in order to hone my skills. However, when I embarked on writing this novel, I quickly realised that it would require much more than just skillful writing."

"I struggled with every draft and felt incapable of effectively conveying the story. Maybe I was too young and inexperienced, with much to learn about writing. I needed to mature as both an author and a person before attempting to write this novel," he continues.

"While my previous works helped me grow on multiple fronts, grappling with themes of loss, grief, and loneliness for seven years was emotionally taxing. Although the publication of the novel brought me immense relief, I never expected it to be so successful because of its somber tone."

Characters shaped by traumas

Other characters in 'The End of Loneliness' also deal with crises and transformations. Marty finds and fulfills his life purpose, while Liz remains lost for more than three decades, linking her struggles to childhood traumas.

The characters' personalities are shaped by the circumstances and traumas they encounter. Wells fixates on these changes throughout his writing.

"There are always questions to pose about what kind of transformations occur and in what ways? What parts of ourselves remain unaffected by life's upheavals? Is there an unalterable essence to our being? Can we regain what we have lost over decades as a result of past traumas?"

The protagonist of his novel, Jules, tends to reflect on his past and dwell on it.

When asked if his main theme in the novel is that obsessing over the past can hinder progress and even be fatal, Wells answers: "Not exactly."

He further explains, "I did not intend to convey a conclusive viewpoint. The three siblings in the story handle their past in vastly different ways and I tried to showcase multiple examples without providing explicit lessons."

Success and intimidation

The recipient of the German Youth Literature Prize and the European Union Prize for Literature, among other accolades, Wells says he is both happy and intimidated by his awards.

"I wish I could be one to celebrate such moments but, in reality, I find it difficult to comprehend. I have always felt excluded," he explains.

"Even until now, I struggle comprehending the success of this novel. It's surreal that I am being interviewed about it for an Arab magazine. It's truly incredible."

Although Wells shies away from awards and fame, he values the power of translation and appreciates that 'The End of Loneliness' was translated into multiple languages. He believes that "literature has the ability to break down barriers and unite people from diverse backgrounds."

"Reading enables us to comprehend our differences and similarities, fostering empathy and connection. However, it's unfortunate that literature is often confined to its original language. This is why translation is so important — it liberates these works.

"I am grateful for the numerous translations of my novel and hope that it resonates with readers in the Arab world."

Plot twist

What does the future hold? And what are Wells' personal plans and aspirations?

"After dedicating two decades to writing, I realised that I do not enjoy being a public figure and stopped press interviews in Germany. I enrolled in university for the first time and I'm thoroughly enjoying exploring unchartered territory. I currently have no plans to write another novel," he reveals.

"I do believe that I will eventually return to creative writing, but I am currently embracing Ferris Bueller's words: Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."