Achi news desk-
The former political journalist was inspired by historian Jan Morris and passed the time on the CalMac ferry to Islay by reading.
The first book I remember reading:
The House at Pooh Corner by AA Milne. My mom read it to me (using all kinds of wonderful character voices) and I watched her finger move across the page as she read. So I learned to read Pooh on my own before I started school. I think I do the Eeyore voice pretty well – but maybe too well, because Pooh never became a favorite with my two daughters. Too English? Too middle class? Or maybe my dark Eeyore voice stopped them? Despite Pooh-shaped holes in their lives, they are both avid readers.
A book I recommend to everyone:
Siege of Krishnapur, by JG Farrel is a great novel by a great writer set during the Indian Rebellion (India is an obsession of mine). And Goodbye To All This, by Robert Graves. This is the poet’s story of his life in the trenches of the First World War. I loved it as a teenager, and then read it again a couple of years ago. It did not disappoint.
The three best books I’ve read in the last year:
In Remembranceby Alice Winn; Juliaby Sandra Newman, and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I’ve written books about the First World War and George Orwell, so In Remembrance (love in the trenches) a Julia (1984 as told by Winston Smith’s girlfriend) is really pandering to my own interests. With The Grapes of Wrath I was catching up on a classic that I’m ashamed I hadn’t read before. It is wonderful.
A book I didn’t finish:
Life is too short for me to finish reading Ancient Nights, by Norman Mailer. Mailer is a great writer, but his history of ancient Egypt is the American literary equivalent of watching coastal erosion.
An author who has inspired me:
I love Jan Morris’s writing. His Pax Britannica trilogy is a very rosy survey of the British Empire, but its intethe interweaving of history and travel fascinated me decades ago. I have woven some of my own travel stories into my own history writing. Jan Morris is to blame for that – but hopefully in a good way.
My favorite place to read:
I live on Islay, so I read a lot on CalMac ferries. Books shrink travel time! I can read almost anywherere, but my wife gave me an Orkney chair for a significant birthday, and it’s my favorite place to read. It also happens to be the seat closest to the fire.
The Wilsons, Orwell Island (saraband), can be purchased here. A former political journalist, Les Wilson lives on Islay and is the Creative Director of Caledonia TV.
Read more of our Book News here.
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