We chat with author Kira Jane Buxton about Tartufo, which is a reflection on the interconnectedness of life in all its manifestations—and how holding on to harmony in the face of hardship can grow something beautiful and rare beneath the surface.
Hi, Kira! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m a Seattle based writer who grew up in Jakarta, Dubai, Singapore and Texas. I write stories that are funny and in reference of nature. I believe in kindness, laughter, creativity, but not cilantro. I have befriended wild crows who follow me on walks around the neighborhood. More and more these days, I find myself writing escapist fiction for a reader to get happily lost in other worlds.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I was very lucky to have been read to as a child. A love of bedtime stories turned into a love of reading by myself. I wanted to become a writer because of the particular magic of reading—that I could crack open a book and stream across the sentences to become a pirate, a sleuth, a witch or a warrior. Whole worlds opened up to me and I began wanting to create the ones I had imagined for myself. The first story I wrote was about a dragon who ate too much and was unable to fly.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: What-A-Mess Goes To School – Frank Muir
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Hobbit – J. R. R. Tolkien
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Wall – Marlen Haushofer
Your latest novel, Tartufo, is out January 28th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Giant truffle—blessing or curse?
What can readers expect?
A funny, nature-forward story set in Tuscany, where a village is in dire straights and it’s only hope is when truffle hunter Giovanni and his dogs find the largest truffle on earth. A culinary diamond potentially worth a fortune that will rot in five days. TARTUFO is feel-good fiction, to be read for comfort and in the event a foodie vacation to Tuscany is on your dream list. The Tartufo reading experience has been likened to “a warm hug from your Nonna.”
Where did the inspiration for Tartufo come from?
My parents live in a small medieval village in Tuscany. We’ve owned a house there for almost thirty years. I love it there—the people, the culture, the food—and I have undoubtedly been inspired by our adventures. I am also a huge fungi fan and am particularly captivated by truffles. They are nature’s rags to riches story—a pungent fungus that is dug up from the dirt and flown to some of the finest restaurants in the world. It’s just so delicious. A truffle doesn’t grow unless there are good relationships between the fungi and a tree, and I saw allegory in that and the community of small village life.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Every single character was a delight to discover and spend time with on the page. I love the challenge of writing from the perspective of animals, so there was a particular joy in writing scenes where Aria and Fagiolo, the truffle dogs, are hunting in the woods. There is also a chapter that follows the flight of a sweet little Italian honey bee that was wonderful to explore and imagine creatively. I loved writing from the perspective of Al Pacino, who is a cat with an intolerance for nonsense. I can’t seem to stop writing about cantankerous cats.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I was initially very worried about the sheer number of characters and about how to paint scenes when they are all together without overwhelming a reader. I wanted readers to know each of the fascinating villagers and make sure each character responded authentically to the madness and mayhem happening around them. It took commitment and trust that I could find the balance organically. It often helps me to remember to have fun—if I’m enjoying writing the scene, there is a greater chance a reader will enjoy it more too.
This is your third novel! What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned since your debut in 2019?
Persistence is key! Every book has felt different to write and required patience as I figured out how to tell it. I’ve learned that it is important to stay true to your creative instincts. Writing for the sake of the story and by following your curiosity vs. writing with an external expectation (for example, what might do best commercially) results in braver, more interesting, more original literary adventures.
What’s next for you?
I’m excited to be touring for Tartufo and I have a few other stories that I’m wrangling into shape.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up in 2025?
Elise Hooper has a new novel coming out in 2025 called THE LIBRARY OF THE LOST DOLL HOUSES that I’m very much looking forward to reading. And although it came out in English in 2024, I am looking forward to finally diving into Olga Tokarczuk’s THE EMPUSIUM. Markus Zusak has a new memoir called THREE WILD DOGS (AND THE TRUTH) that I would love to get my paws on.
