Author Figiel’s “Free Love” debuts at National University of Samoa
Apia, SAMOA — Within six weeks of battling manic depression, renowned Samoan author, Sia Figiel, was able to complete her book “Free Love”.
During the launch “Free Love” on Wednesday, Sia spoke openly about her love hate relationship with the mental illness.
“I wrote this in six weeks and I got diagnosed with manic depression in October because I had to go see a doctor,” she said.
“I didn’t understand how I couldn’t sleep for six weeks. My brain literally couldn’t turn itself off and this was the result.
“The doctor explained to me that it was infliction known to afflict creative people specifically writers, musicians, artists. I found out that I’m in the company of people like Virgina Woolf, T.S Elliot, and Hemingway.”
The author joked saying that it was not bad to be in the company of such creative geniuses, she described what it was like to come down from a euphoric high while writing.
“I don’t want to romanticize this affliction but it’s like you have this almost divine inspiration that leads to these amazing creative works but then afterwards my depression hits me when you’re out of this world you’ve created and that’s when you crash.”
The book “Free Love”’ continues her style of breaking cultural taboos.
This is Sia’s latest novel which has been described by literary peer, Dr. Jemaima Tiatia- Seath as “fearlessly pushing through boundaries of FaaSamoa, eroticisim, ethics and sexual liberties.”
The story centers on the sexual awakening of 17-year-old character, Inosia, a student who enters into a relationship with her school teacher.