Our House on Sycamore Street

Behind the Pages: The FerryMan's Light

Peek behind the pages of the first book in the Our House on Sycamore Street series, The Ferryman’s Light, and discover the journey behind this story.

Hands typing at computer

Welcome Anna Jensen!

Tell us a bit about who you are and how you write?

I’m a British expat living on the east coast of South Africa, a few kilometres north of the port city of Durban. I am privileged to overlook the Pacific Ocean, and get to watch dolphins and whales at play while I write! My husband is South African and works in the sugar industry. We have two children, a daughter just about to finish a degree in chemical engineering, and a son starting out on a law degree.

What is your book about?

As the instigator of the Our House on Sycamore Street series, I felt I needed to pen the ‘origin story’ for this street of houses in the fictional English village of Eden Cove. Who was the first occupant to build their home there? And why?

It’s 1853. Walter Ferryman is the son of local gamekeeper to the Wingfields, occupants of the Castle on the Hill overlooking Eden Cove. He runs the local ferry service across the River Deben, providing a short-cut to travellers to and from the village. Walter’s hopes and dreams for his future take a dramatic turn after a single mistake he makes – a mistake which forces him from his family home. 

As he struggles with the consequences he must face, Walter discovers the harsh realities of social norms. And finds the kindness of others offering him a fresh beginning.

Why this story and why now?

A few years ago, I subscribed to BBC History Magazine. It was packed full of pages of history, ranging from the grand to the grotesque. My favourite were the articles about normal people and how vast events affected everyday life. One particular article wormed its way into my imagination – and stuck there! The article showcased a current BBC show centred around a terrace house in the north of England. Using this house and its occupants as the backdrop, a fascinating glimpse into British history through the centuries emerged.

My writery brain exploded. What about writing a series of books around this same theme? How about it focussed not on one house, but on a whole street of houses? A street of houses needs neighbours. I didn’t fancy going it alone! And so I pondered some more. And the Madness song, Our House, started to sing in my head. 

A 1980s pop song about a house in a middle of a street, and all the comings and goings…I chatted to a South African writing friend. She liked the idea. I chatted to a few other friends, and friends of friends. We swapped ideas. We built a street. We created a village. And Our House on Sycamore Street was born!

I can’t tell you how exciting, special and emotional it is to watch our ideas forming into the books you’ll be reading. I hope you’ll enjoy the journey as much as we have!

Where did you go to research this story?

Being English and familiar with my country’s history and landscape, I didn’t have to do a great deal of research, other than plumbing the depths of my memory for details I could include. I did hop onto Google to learn about passenger ferries of the mid-1850s! In the area of Suffolk where Eden Cove is based, these ferries were known as wherries. Many of them were powered by sail. However, I gave Walter the task of rowing across the river.

I also had a quick read-up about 19th century pistols. I’ll leave you to read the book to discover why!

Tell us a story you came across in research that didn’t make it into the book.

Lynn Dean, author of book number 10 in the series, and myself dug around in the history of British kings and queens, in particular Henry VIII and his six wives. It would have been fun to incorporate some of that research, but it didn’t suit the immediacy of Walter’s situation! Perhaps another time…
The Ferryman’s Light releases August 9 2024. You can discover more about Anna and her writing on her website at www.annajensen.co.uk

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