Lee Child is one of the world’s most successful writers of crime fiction. His ‘Jack Reacher’ series are regular bestsellers worldwide, beginning with ‘Killing Floor’ in 1997 and most recently with ‘Personal’, which was released in August of this year. Indeed, his latest offering has already topped the US bestsellers list.
Once again, the plot surrounds the enigmatic title star, Jack Reacher, a former US Army officer. The book follows Child’s traditional theme of revenge, with a generous helping of suspense and thrill thrown in for good measure.
Of course, the book series achieved truly stratospheric status with the release of the film adaptation of his book ‘Jack Reacher’ in 2012, starring Tom Cruise, with a sequel currently in production.
While not on the same frantic, pulsating level of his protagonist, Lee’s own life story is quite compelling all the same. Born Jim Grant, in 1954, he grew up in Birmingham in the UK. Following this, he attended law school in Sheffield before beginning his career in television with Granada in 1977. During this time, he was involved in the production of many successful television series, such as ‘Prime Suspect’ and ‘Brideshead Revisited.’
Susan and Lee following their interview
However, upheaval within the company would soon shape his future life. With many colleagues leaving the company, Jim (later Lee) became involved in the union representing his co-workers. He departed from this role after two years and turned away from the television industry entirely.
He moved to the US and began his writing career under the pseudonym Lee Child. What followed was a series of successful novels and a new thriving career. Today, he spends time in the US, France and his home in England.
Join Susan and Lee as they chat about his career to date and what the future holds. Why did Lee leave television and become a writer? What inspires him to continue writing the Jack Reacher series? And how does he feel about growing old?
Then, in part two, Susan will be exploring the literature of Spain and Latin America. From October 17-19, Dublin will be hosting the third ISLA Literary Festival, which will feature a variety of readings, discussion and documentary.
The late Colombian novelist and journalist, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, 1927-2014
It is a particularly timely event, given the recent recognition afforded to Latin American writing in Ireland. The Colombian writer Juan Gabriel Vasquez best encapsulates this success, with his recent novel ‘The Sound of Things Falling’ winning the 2014 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.
Additionally, his compatriot, the late Gabriel Garcia Marquez will be commemorated during the course of this weekend. Other writers that will be contributing to the festival include John Banville, Clare Keegan, Donal Ryan and Hugo Hamilton among many more. For all information on this celebration of Spanish and Latin American literature, visit their website here.
What will this festival have in store for lovers of literature? And who are the most influential writers and poets from these regions? Susan will be exploring these questions and more on this week’s ‘Talking Books’.
