Episode 18, When the Apricots Bloom with author Gina Wilkinson

Our featured story comes from former foreign corespondent and award winning journalist Gina Wilkinson.  Her rich and suspenseful novel, When the Apricots Bloom, was inspired by her time in Bagdad twenty years ago. The story is told through the lens of three resilient women: an artist, a diplomat’s wife, and a secretary. Their complicated friendship and shared goal to protect their families is peppered with historical truths that transport you to their reality. My conversation with Gina explores the long standing idea that fiction is the lie that reveals the truth.  You will hear Chapter 1 of the book come to life through the voice of narrator Raghad Chaar.   You can find When the Apricots Bloom in all its formats here: When the Apricots Bloom on Amazon.  You can see a photo Gina took in Iraq that helped her develop her characters friendship on the Desideratum Website. A special thanks to Vida Engstrand at Kensington Books for connecting me and Gina. And, thank you for listening.