In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I sit down with debut novelist Vanessa Beaumont to talk about her evocative and richly layered novel, The Other Side of Paradise. Set in post–World War I Britain, the story follows Jean Buckman, a young American newspaper heiress navigating societal pressures, marital dysfunction, grief, personal desire and deep maternal love in 1920s Britain and the south of France.

Vanessa shares how her background in publishing shaped her writing journey, what inspired her to move from nonfiction ideas into fiction, and the immersive research that brought the interwar period to life. We discuss themes of identity, privilege, and constraint, as well as the role of setting — from remote British country estates to grand London houses to villas in the Riviera and how setting can be a character in its own right. Vanessa’s characters - the people and the places- will stay with the reader long after finishing the last page.

We also talk about Vanessa’s literary influences, her writing challenges, and her upcoming projects. By the end of our conversation, you’ll have a deeper sense of both the historical backdrop of her novel and the craft behind it.

Click here to buy ‘The Other Side of Paradise’.

Episode Highlights00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:11 Meeting Vanessa Beaumont and The Other Side of Paradise00:29 Setting the Scene: Britain Between the Wars00:44 Introducing Jean Buckman and Family01:54 The Inspiration Behind the Novel03:47 Vanessa’s Writing Journey and Challenges06:22 Researching the Interwar Period09:35 The Role of Setting and Atmosphere18:14 Houses as Characters20:55 Literary Influences and Craft37:29 Upcoming Projects and Personal Insights

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