About Christina
Christina Ståhle is a political scientist and the author of the upcoming historical drama, ‘Before He Was Red’, set in the crumbling Ottoman Empire of 1876.
A graduate of Lund University with a BA in Economics and Johns Hopkins University with an MA in International Relations, she has pursued a career in international affairs, focusing on the environment and agriculture. Christina is also an alumna of the UCLA Professional Programme in Screenwriting, where she wrote six feature screenplays. Her work has been selected for participation in leading European screenplay development programs, and she is an active member of writing groups in Brussels and online.
Christina’s writing is informed by her passion for politics and history, and examines issues of migration, living between two worlds, and gender roles and expectations, particularly in relation to women's experiences.
Born in London to Swedish parents, she was raised in various countries, including the UK, Italy, and Saudi Arabia, and speaks four languages. Since over thirty years, she resides in Belgium with her husband, their three children, and their mischievous dog, Suki. When she's not writing, Christina enjoys reading, forest walks, and tending to her garden.
‘Before He Was Red’ is her first novel.
Photo: Nathalie Gabay
Before He Was Red
In 1876, the Ottoman Empire grapples with rebellion, corruption, famine, and the looming spectre of war as European powers vie for the spoils. The dynasty fears Allah's abandonment, and the deranged Sultan Abdulaziz presides over the decline.
One dark night in May, Belgian modiste Flora Cordier saves a young Turk named Hamid from Ottoman soldiers seeking to capture him. Their shared adventure opens the door to life paths neither could have imagined.
Blending rich historical detail with romance, ‘Before He Was Red’ encapsulates eternal themes of love, power, and the struggle for freedom. Captivating and transportive, it offers a deeply emotional and immersive reading experience.
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COMING SOON