Exploring the Magical World of ‘Beyond the Curtain’ by Marie Lunga
South Moravian writer Marie Lunga is preparing to introduce her debut fantasy novel, “Beyond the Curtain,” at a special pre-release event on 2 December at Martinus Bookshop in Brno. The launch comes one month before the book becomes available to the general public. Written in English, the novel imagines an alternate, magical version of Europe—using fantasy elements as a metaphor for pivotal moments in European history.
Lunga, who grew up in South Moravia and later moved to Brno for her studies, now divides her days between work and writing. She serves as a communication manager at the Brno Expat Centre, where she helps organise the Brno Expat Fair, and dedicates her mornings to her writing routine. Brno Daily spoke with her to learn more about her new novel and her journey as an author.
You have a background in law and now work in communications. How did writing become part of your path?
I’ve been writing since I was twelve — even full-length stories, although they were fanfiction back then. But I never viewed it as a realistic career. Then, on my 30th birthday, it suddenly felt like the right moment to try. I switched to part-time work, and three years later, the book is finally finished.
Why did you decide to write the novel in English?
I’ve been reading in English since I was fifteen because I was too impatient to wait for Czech translations of my favourite books. When you write, language is your toolbox — the expressions, the rhythm, the nuance. I absorbed all of that through years of reading in English, so naturally, that became the language I write in.
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What is the story about?
Beyond the Curtain is a classic fantasy adventure, but instead of invented lands, it unfolds across a reimagined Europe. In this version, the continent is filled with magic. Some time ago, wizards revealed their existence and cast a magical curtain over Europe, taking control of it. The story follows the dissenters — the wizards who opposed the idea of dominating the world.
Aside from the magic, the themes sound familiar.
They should. The storyline mirrors the Iron Curtain and the last fifty years of European history—minus the wizards, of course. That’s what I love about fantasy: it lets you take very real conflicts or aspects of human nature and amplify them through imaginative elements. You can explore serious themes while still creating a story that pulls readers in after a long day.
What challenges did you encounter while working on this project?
At the moment, the biggest anxiety is whether readers will connect with the book. But during the writing stage, the hardest part was balancing two goals: knowing the emotional and narrative destination you want to reach, and at the same time making every single chapter engaging. Big ideas are wonderful, but the story has to be entertaining on every page. I enjoyed that challenge.
Any advice for aspiring writers?
Build writing into your daily schedule and stay consistent. I prefer early mornings before the world wakes up. Another surprising but helpful trick is sharing your ideas early with friends. I used to keep everything secret, afraid that feedback would weaken my confidence. This time, I shared from the start, and it helped tremendously. Your friends remember your excitement even when you hit a rough patch—they remind you why you began. Let your friends fuel your motivation.
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