Louise Soraya Black is a British author known for her evocative and deeply introspective novels. Her debut novel, Pomegranate Sky (2009), won the inaugural Virginia Prize and was well-reviewed in The Guardian and The Times.
Born in England to an English mother and an Iranian father, Louise spent her childhood in various countries, including Africa, Bangladesh, Iran, and Indonesia, due to her father's work with UNICEF. As a result of her diverse upbringing, her narratives are infused with a deep understanding of different cultures and places.
Louise pursued her higher education in England, earning a First in Law from University College London. She then practiced law in the City for seven years. Despite her legal career, her passion for writing led her to pen her first novel, "Pomegranate Sky," which garnered immediate critical success. The novel's acclaim marked the beginning of her journey as a full-time writer.
In 2021, Louise published her second novel, "The Water Garden," with Muswell Press. This novel explores the story of a boy who drowns in a Surrey lake and a housewife who becomes entangled with his troubled teenage friend. The narrative weaves in the voices of other women in the family, including an RAF nurse during the Second World War. Louise describes her inspiration for the novel: "The idea of the title came to me after visiting the 'Painting the Modern Garden; Monet to Matisse' exhibition at the Royal Academy in London."
She says: "Nature could be calm and peaceful, but it could also be wild, cruel, dangerously beautiful. I found this duality fascinating." Her fascination with gardens, both as a cultural symbol and a therapeutic space, deeply informs the setting and themes of The Water Garden.
Her most recent book, Darkness Falls in Jakarta (2024), is about Claire, who returns to Jakarta to find answers and forgiveness. The book is set in Indonesia and explores themes of guilt and redemption.
Louise is married with two children and lives in Surrey.
Photo credit: muswell-press.co.uk
Born in England to an English mother and an Iranian father, Louise spent her childhood in various countries, including Africa, Bangladesh, Iran, and Indonesia, due to her father's work with UNICEF. As a result of her diverse upbringing, her narratives are infused with a deep understanding of different cultures and places.
Louise pursued her higher education in England, earning a First in Law from University College London. She then practiced law in the City for seven years. Despite her legal career, her passion for writing led her to pen her first novel, "Pomegranate Sky," which garnered immediate critical success. The novel's acclaim marked the beginning of her journey as a full-time writer.
In 2021, Louise published her second novel, "The Water Garden," with Muswell Press. This novel explores the story of a boy who drowns in a Surrey lake and a housewife who becomes entangled with his troubled teenage friend. The narrative weaves in the voices of other women in the family, including an RAF nurse during the Second World War. Louise describes her inspiration for the novel: "The idea of the title came to me after visiting the 'Painting the Modern Garden; Monet to Matisse' exhibition at the Royal Academy in London."
She says: "Nature could be calm and peaceful, but it could also be wild, cruel, dangerously beautiful. I found this duality fascinating." Her fascination with gardens, both as a cultural symbol and a therapeutic space, deeply informs the setting and themes of The Water Garden.
Her most recent book, Darkness Falls in Jakarta (2024), is about Claire, who returns to Jakarta to find answers and forgiveness. The book is set in Indonesia and explores themes of guilt and redemption.
Louise is married with two children and lives in Surrey.
Photo credit: muswell-press.co.uk
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