Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Viktor Illovszky

What inspired you to write “The Venetian Lawyer”?

Illovszky: The idea for the novel came to me during the pandemic, when lockdowns made many of us think more deeply about the systems we live in: society, politics, and the individual's place within these structures. I found myself thinking a lot about questions of identity, change, and loneliness. I felt there was a need for a symbolic story that explores these themes not on a theoretical level, but within a strong, atmospheric setting.

Venice is such a place for me. I regularly spend time in the city, and I'm always inspired by this duality. The book was born from this personal and philosophical experience. I embedded several hidden messages for those who like to read between the lines: numerical symbolism, the meanings of names, certain dialogues—each conceals deeper layers.

How did you come up with the names of your main characters?

Illovszky: My characters' names are just as symbolic as the story itself—each carries a layer of meaning, but not in an intrusive way. They accompany the characters subtly.

Victorio Falcone's name, for example, carries the meanings of victory and falcon. He's a solitary man who seeks truth but no longer necessarily believes in it. The image of the falcon—the solitary predator—reflects this inner state well.

Sophia means wisdom. In today's world, knowledge is often considered dangerous; systems don't always favor those who possess too much knowledge.

Chiara's name means light. She's the one who sees everything but doesn't judge, and quietly provides direction. This is one important layer of the female role in the book—and I think in our everyday lives too: women have a unique ability to give us men direction without doing so forcefully.

Elisabeth carries the meaning of oath and promise, the embodiment of the system's perfection and professionalism.

Antonio's name means invaluable—this becomes emphasized in the story through questions of friendship and loyalty.

I love it when readers discover these layers themselves. The names aren't ostentatious symbols, but if someone notices them, they open up new depths in the story.

Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?

Illovszky: I'm Viktor Illovszky, I live in Budapest, and I work in the business sector. Writing was a side track in my life for a long time, then suddenly it became an inner necessity—a channel where my thoughts and questions finally find form.

I'm passionate about traveling, discovering new cultures and people, and I've always been drawn to those political, social, and spiritual dilemmas that have naturally woven themselves into my writing over time.

My first novel, The Venetian Lawyer, was published in Hungary in September 2025, and it was a tremendous honor for me that it reached the top of Dibook's annual sales list. For now, this is my only published book, but I'm already working on the sequel. For me, this isn't a closed story, but the first stop on a longer literary journey.

Giovanni – Asa Butterfield
(young hacker, ethical, bespectacled, withdrawn genius)
Butterfield naturally portrays slightly odd but very smart, idealistic young people. Not over the top, not cliché—just the right balance.

Elisabeth – Cate Blanchett
(psychologist in her forties, elegant, intelligent, observant type)
Blanchett has that quiet, refined intelligence that a good psychologist figure requires. Authentic, reserved, and you always sense she sees more than she says.

Although many renowned actors also applied for the roles, unfortunately I had to turn them down. :)"

When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?

Illovszky: F. Scott Fitzgerald once said: 'Writer's block is that state when a person has nothing to say but feels obligated to say something.' I completely agree with that.

I have a peculiar method: I only begin stories whose central idea is born in the location itself. For me, the setting isn't just a backdrop—it's a catalyst. I can write when a city, an atmosphere, or even a street corner 'whispers' to me where the story needs to go.

If this doesn't happen, I don't force it. In these moments, I don't blame myself; I simply accept that now it's the location that's 'in crisis.' And I focus on other things until it calls to me again.

Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?

Illovszky: I don't feel I'm the one to give advice, but I'm happy to share my own experiences. I think the most important thing is to strive for authenticity, not perfection. A story truly works when the author's own thoughts and experiences speak through it.

And I genuinely believe there are no coincidences. It's not by chance if someone starts writing—at any level. It's also not by chance whom we meet along the way (right, Heather? :D). It's worth paying attention to these encounters: asking questions, talking, getting inspired, developing.

Writing is a strange, sometimes unpredictable, but very exciting journey.

What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?

Illovszky: "I've always been most influenced by authors who can combine intellectual depth with powerful atmosphere.

Albert Camus – for his existential clarity and way of thinking

Raymond Chandler – for the noir atmosphere and character-driven storytelling

Umberto Eco – for his intellectual layering and the elegant connection of knowledge and fiction

Dan Brown – for his rhythm, style, and use of symbolism

Milan Kundera – for his reflections and philosophical depths

Max Weber and Michel Foucault – for understanding how power operates

They've all added something to how I think about stories: ideas, atmospheres, social questions. I try to build from these layers when I write."

What are you working on next?

Illovszky: I'm currently working on the sequel to The Venetian Lawyer, which this time takes place in multiple locations—primarily Venice and Paris. The central theme of the story is that real power never operates on the surface, but behind the scenes, through hidden structures. The novel examines how these invisible power structures move and influence the characters' decisions.

My goal now is also to write an atmospheric, thought-provoking story that further deepens Victorio Falcone's world. The book is expected to be published in fall 2026.

Learn More About the Author and The Venetian Lawyer here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/viktor.illovszky

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/64913858.Viktor_Illovszky

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