Author and former Hollywood actress Zoe Sallis is not unfamiliar with India. She has been here several times before, and like all other tourists, her purpose always is to come closer to the mystical land and feel the spirituality and tranquillity that the vast sub-continent encompasses within its borders.
Sallis is best known for her short stint in films and her relationship with the Academy Award winning director, artist and actor John Huston. She and John are also the parents of Hollywood actor and director Danny Huston.
Sallis’ current visit coincides with the recent launch of her new book, Ten Eternal Questions (published by Duncan Barid). According to the author, the book that released in September last year, has gained immense appreciation the world over. The Ten Eternal Questions is a collection of short interviews that the author conducted over the past five years and now, she wishes to share it with Indian readers.
“The purpose I’m trying to achieve through my book is to stimulate and awaken a thought,” says Sallis, adding, “The book has been written from a lay man’s point of view. The book is timely; amidst the chaos and war of today’s world, one can seek answers to myriad questions that lie futile in one’s mind.”
The people that the author has interviewed for her book includes some of the biggest names from the international film and music industry, authors as well as some of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. Sallis says that her book shouldn’t be stereotyped as a ‘self-help book’ as it presents philosophy and wisdom culled from some of the great minds of contemporary times, like singer Bob Geldof, best-selling author Paulo Coelho, apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, and others, all of whom have selflessly engaged themselves in contributing for the welfare of the world.
{{/usCountry}}The people that the author has interviewed for her book includes some of the biggest names from the international film and music industry, authors as well as some of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. Sallis says that her book shouldn’t be stereotyped as a ‘self-help book’ as it presents philosophy and wisdom culled from some of the great minds of contemporary times, like singer Bob Geldof, best-selling author Paulo Coelho, apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, and others, all of whom have selflessly engaged themselves in contributing for the welfare of the world.
{{/usCountry}}In Ten Eternal Questions, the author has posed simple questions to her interviewees and the tome has come out as an effective read on spiritualism and its relevance to the modern society.
Speaking on fame and fortune and its ill-effects on celebrities, she says, “Everyone, whether a celebrity or not, must learn to keep a fair balance in life.
All that one needs to do is to be particular in setting one’s objectives and then, most things start falling in place.” She adds, “My own son, who has grown up with famous people around him, is quite comfortable. Stardom hasn’t overpowered him at all.”
Talking about her husband, Sallis says, “Had John been alive, we would be visiting India together. It was here in India where John intended to direct his film The Man Who Would Be King, but due to some reasons he had to film it in Morocco. He had visited India several times and was very fond of it”. The author signs off by saying that she is not sure if she will write another book.