Books HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS
Alan Warner The Obanite hits vivid form once more with The Deadman’s Pedal, the story of growing up and getting old in a small Scottish town. See review, page 70. Jonathan Cape.
Tim Burgess The only time a Charlatan has been welcomed onto a comedy stage, as the popular northern soul reads from his candid memoir. The Stand, Glasgow, Sat 9 Jun. John Irving The heavyweight US author delivers some informal and informed chat about his long career and new novel, In One Person. See review, page 70. Reid Concert Hall, Edinburgh, Wed 30 May.
Nikita Lalwani A sinister prison- based reality TV project is the start-off point for The Village, Lalwani’s captivating new novel about trust and broken promises. See review, page 70. Viking.
Burns an’ a’ That! The literary side to this Bardfest includes authors Alan Bissett and Tony Black (pictured) and events such as the Hipshot Big Burns Comp!, live music and a poetry picnic. Various venues, Ayrshire, Wed 30 May–Sun 3 Jun. Breathin’ Air with Howard Marks & John Sinclair Senor Nice (pictured) hangs out with the political activist and ex-manager of MC5 for a chat about all things counter culture. See profile, page 72. Electric Circus, Edinburgh, Wed 6 Jun.
Alistair Darling The former Chancellor of the Jem Rolls: Ten Starts and an End The Chambers
Exchequer shares his side of the story about the 2008 financial crisis. Which, coincidentally, is the subject of a book he’s written. Central Library, Edinburgh, Thu 24 May. Street basement venue opens its doors once more to stirring performance poetry with Mr Rolls and some special guests. The Jazz Bar, Edinburgh, Sun 27 May.
Chris Brookmyre The author occasionally known as Christopher has a new novel, When the Devil Drives. We reckon it might shift a copy or two – get in with the in-crowd for this launch event. The Caves, Edinburgh, Mon 11 Jun.
Borders Books Festival Another stellar line-up in this glorious setting as Iain Banks, Hilary Mantel and David Frost are among those heading on down (or up) to the Borders. Harmony Garden, Melrose, Thu 14 Jun.
list.co.uk/books
FirstWrites INTRODUCING DEBUT AUTHORS
ELAINE PROCTOR takes on this issue’s debut author Q&A. Her first book features a ten- year-old boy’s life in London while awaiting his mother’s arrival from the Congo
Give us five words to describe Rhumba? ‘They had horns and tails’.
Can you name one author who should be more famous than they are now? Mark Gevisser is the brightest, most original witness to the complicated condition of being a global South African. Read his amazing biography of Thabo Mbeki for starters then move on. What was the first book you read? The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen.
What was the last book you read? The Chemistry of Tears by Peter Carey.
Which book makes you cry? A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry which describes desperate lives as they are – without sentimentality – but with an insistence on their value. Which book makes you laugh? The Blandings Saga by PG Wodehouse because of the completeness of the imagined world and, of course, the passion for the pig.
Which dead author do you wish was still alive today? Shakespeare. He could make sense of things. Again.
What one thing would you change about the publishing world? I would have things move double time. What plans do you have for book number two?
An old lady is found dead at the bottom of a muddy dam. We search for her killer amongst the dark and dirty (but also transcendent and mysterious) world I know best. We arrive somewhere at once shattering and altogether fresh. (Interview by Brian Donaldson) ■ Rhumba is out now published by Quercus.
24 May–21 Jun 2012 THE LIST 69