Marianne R. Klein, aka Marika Roth, was born in Budapest, Hungary. She lived in Paris, France after WWII, until she was transferred to Montreal, Canada for adoption. There she studied creative writing as well as psychology at Sir George William University in Montreal. Following her move to Los Angeles, she continued her writing studies first at Beverly Hills High and then at UCLA. Additionally, she completed her writing course at the Writer’s Boot Camp and has been a member of several independent writer’s group in Los Angeles. She was also a member of Women in Film.
Marianne wrote her memoir, All the Pretty Shoes, as a tribute to her long-time soulmate following his passing, and it became a Finalist at the Book of the Year club. All the Pretty Shoes has also been adapted as a screenplay entitled “Marika’s War.” Marianne’s second novel, Gambler’s Journey, is a romantic drama, and has been written into several screenplays.
Writer’s Life had the honor of speaking with Marianne, here is what she had to say.
Tell us a bit about your background and career.
I was born in Budapest, Hungary, to loving parents but from a broken home. My mother died an of illness when I was 13, and the Nazis killed my father shortly after. Left orphaned after the war, I escaped to France and lived in Paris with a group of war orphans. In time, some of us were transferred from Paris to Montreal, Canada, for adoption. In place of adoption, I got married and became a mother of two by the time I was 17.
In time, I studied creative writing and psychology in Montreal, at Sir George William University. I also studied art and was a student at the Montreal School of Fine Arts. Eventually I moved to Toronto, Canada, where I took a modeling course with the Walter Thornton Modeling Agency. There I earned a diploma as a fashion model.
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Following my move to Los Angeles, California, I worked in fashion, and later as a legal secretary. I also continued my writing studies, first at Beverly Hills High and then at UCLA. Additionally, I completed a six-week film writing course at the Writer’s Boot Camp. I was also a member of several independent writer’s groups in Los Angeles and was a member of Women in Film.
I wrote my memoir entitled, All the Pretty Shoes,
as a tribute to my long-time soul mate. The book became a Finalist at the Book of the Year Club as well as the American Audio Festival. All the Pretty Shoes has also been adapted to a screenplay entitled “Marika’s War.”
Tell us about your book, All the Pretty Shoes.
All the Pretty Shoes is a story of self-discovery and the survival of a young orphan girl, faced with unimaginable horrors and impossible odds. Her positive spirit and the will to survive against all odds portray with amazing clarity the act of human suffering. With her father torn from her and having witnessed the massacre of many by the brink of the Danube, she vows to stay alive despite the odds, if only to see her father again.
What was your impetus for writing your book?
By the urging of my soul mate, whose last wish before he passed was that I write about my turbulent childhood and my WWII experiences. Also, as an artist, I have a passion for expressing emotions and to create colorful characters either in painting or by definition of characters
What are the messages you want readers to take away from reading your work?
A better understanding of the Human Condition. To bring awareness to the
tragedies that war causes, especially to children. To give the reader a better understanding of what it is like to live without parents, with starvation and constant fear. That the biggest crime society renders are to rob children of their innocence by teaching them hatred and prejudice. Last, but not least, we should all be reminded of what happened during WWII, from 1945 to 1947, and acknowledge that it is being repeated today in Ukraine and in many other countries. Sadly, we have learned nothing!
Tell a bit about your other books, A Gambler’s Journey, Lady Kelton’s Secrets, and Farewell Paris.
A Gambler’s Journey - was written in honor of my father, a professional gambler. (Semi - Fiction Drama)
At the outbreak of WWII, Victor, an out-of-luck gambler finds himself fighting for the love of his dying wife, and for the custody of his child. Once widowed his luck begins to turn, when he has a chance encounter with a vibrant young violinist. But their romance is soon jeopardized by the Nazi invasion. Facing almost certain death, the couple and the child concoct a clever and daring escape plan and then head for a dangerous journey to save their lives.
Lady Kelton’s Secrets – It's Victoria's birthday, and she couldn’t care less. Throughout her life she would ignore her accumulating years, feeling that age was just a number. As an independent woman in search of love, sex, and the whole nine yards, she often flouted status quo “rules. Despite all the struggles and pain in her past, this unique philosophy allowed her wrinkles to appear amidst much love, laughter, and pleasure. (Semi-Fiction Drama)
Farewell, Paris - I stumbled on a handwritten diary that I kept at age 15. Translated it from Hungarian to English then turned it into a novel.
1946, the end of WWII. A group of war orphans, without roots or education, who escaped to Paris, are being transported from Paris to Canada for adoption. The story takes us back to the bobbysocks and Glenn Miller era. To the discovery of young immigrants having to adapt to new cultural experiences, foreign languages and the possibility of new parents. The story is enriched by touches of fantasy, the sort that gives the reader a better understanding of an orphan’s psychological state of mind and struggles during the transition of life. From being a teenager to adulthood, always in search of love. (Semi – Fiction Drama)
Note: In summary, all four of my books are episodically interrelated.
All the Pretty Shoes is a memoir, how much of these other two books tell your personal story? Are they also based on real-life experiences?
I believe most writers write from some level of personal experience. Since I have lived many lives over the past 93 years, I had the luxury of being able to share my journey by fluctuating between truth, fantasy and some fiction.
You cover very difficult topics in your work, how hard was it to share these experiences with the world?
I was at times painful, at times touching or amusing, but always challenging. There were also times when I felt a sense of pride for having survived. I kept reminding myself that I managed to out-smart my enemies, and it was not just the Nazis or the Russians, but pedophiles, and all those people who prey on young, vulnerable children, especially girls. In the end, I felt a sense of pride.
You are a proud 93 years old! Why did you feel that NOW was the time to start sharing your stories?
I had been studying writing for decades. Took many courses both in universities and private schools. However, with having to take care of family matters, my ambition had to be redirected.
Can you share with us one happy memory from your earlier life that stands out to you?
The first time I truly felt loved.
What are you working on now and what can we expect from you next?
I’m re-editing two of my screenplays, 1) The Generation Gap – Drama. 2) Rain or Shine. - Semi Fiction, Drama 3) Since you Were Gone, - Comedy.
Where can people find out more about you and your work?
They can visit my website: https://inklein2productions.com/
