www.list.co.uk/books
With more work on the t‘)ackburner. namely 'a big futuristic political novel that is serious and a small silly football book about Eric Cantona.‘ Glass will be using one of his Book Festival appearances to talk to personal hero Will Self about his forthcoming biography of author. plawvright. poet and artist Alasdair Gray. 'It is half a traditional biography analysing his life and work. and half a diary-led portrait of the artist as a remarkable old man,‘ says Glass. to whom Gray has acted as teacher. mentor. boss and now subject. 'It is finished but part of our arrangement was that though he has co-operated all the way through, he has not seen a word and will not until after publication. It's a measure of the man that he has given me that freedoin.' llvlark Edmundson)
I l (5 Aug lW/f/l Ste/la Duffy 8. Will/arr) Sutc/iffe). 12.30pm, 51‘) (EV): 25 Aug (Wit/i Wi// Self), IO. l:3am. 5.19 (5.7).
ROSS RAISIN Creating a malevolent teenager trapped on the Moors
Ross Raisin burst onto the literary scene flanked by quotes from JM Coetzee and Colm Toibin. Dubbed ‘one of the most eagerly awaited literary debuts of 2008’. God ’3 Own Country didn’t disappoint. Set on the Yorkshire Moors, it is about Sam Marsdyke, a complex teenage malevolent trapped in a lonely, silent world. Banished from school and polite society for attempted rape, he falls for a teenage neighbour and everything changes.
Raisin's portrayal of Sam, with all his loathing and malice, is sympathetic and engaging and the novel's potent individuality comes from Sam's richly
idiomatic language and fascinating inner
world.
Raisin, a part-time waiter and graduate of the Goldsmith College creative writing course, insists that finding a voice didn't come easy. But what a voice. Strange, vernacular, defensive, pathetic, Marsdyke is
For everything you need to know about all the
Festivals visit www.list.co.uklfestival
simultaneously repulsive and winning; in the mould of Holden Caulfield, his odd imaginings become his downfall.
Raisin has been long-listed for the Dylan Thomas Prize, awarded biennially to the best published writer in English under the age of 30 from anywhere in the world. ‘Until last month I’d never even been to a literary festival, let alone read at one,‘ says Raisin, looking forward to his event with Daniel Clay and Mark Wernham. ‘To be able to go up and do one in Edinburgh is a real treat, not least because it means this will be one year I will be put up in a bed rather than have to sleep on somebody's floor.‘
Humble, down to earth and talented. Ross Raisin is one to watch.
(Peggy Hughes) I 75 Aug (with Daniel Clay 8. Mark Wernham), 7.30pm, E6 (E4).
KIDS EVENTS Saints and sinners play their part this week
When Miranda Richardson so memorably played the child-like Queen Elizabeth I in Blackadder, a career in entertaining kids seemed to be in the offing. With Horrid Henry (16 Aug) she appears to have finally grasped that opportunity by voicing the little terror in
Festival Books
the ITV animated version. Richardson will be showing up in town for this event alongside Henry creator Francesca Simon. Whether you believe Henry is good or ghastly is a debate for another day, while later that same day we hear of Heroes vs Villains (16 Aug) as authors Mark Walden and Andy Briggs go head to head with their creations. And you might be wanting to look away when Chris Priestley unveils Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror (1 7 Aug).
On a far more gentle note come the likes of Peter Pan and Wendy (14 Aug), Maisie with Aileen Paterson (20 Aug) and Smelly Peter the Great Pea Eater (18 Aug). Whether you‘re up for the nice things or the naughtier ones in literary life, it's going to be a hectic old week.
(Brian Donaldson) I See edbookfest.co.uk for full details of events.
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Aug 2008 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 15