Author James Shares His Literary Passions and Desert Island Picks
In a candid reflection on his reading habits, crime writer James opens up about the books that have shaped his life and career. Currently engrossed in The Bone Garden by Simon Beckett, James praises Beckett's talent, noting that his debut thriller, The Chemistry Of Death, was a revelation that marked the arrival of a major new voice in crime fiction. With Beckett's subsequent success, James expresses confidence that this new novel will deliver another compelling read, even though he is only a few chapters in.
Essential Reads for a Desert Island
When asked what book he would take to a desert island, James reveals a dual choice. His sole novel pick would be Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, a work he values for its unique perspective on life through the eyes of Billy Pilgrim, a World War II soldier and time-traveller. James highlights Vonnegut's wry humour and insightful commentary as sources of comfort during difficult times.
However, the one book he absolutely could not leave behind is The Oxford Dictionary Of Quotations. Describing it as a lifelong companion since his school days, James calls it a treasure trove that distills wit, wisdom, and common sense from a diverse range of voices, both famous and obscure.
The Book That Sparked a Career
Reflecting on what first ignited his love for reading, James credits his father, an avid reader who consumed three novels a week, for fostering a book-filled home environment. His earliest memory of adult fiction is Lawrence Durrell's The Alexandria Quartet, which captivated him, but it was Graham Greene's Brighton Rock that truly gave him the reading bug and inspired his career.
James recounts reading this novel at age 14 and being mesmerised by its protagonist, Pinky, a young gangster grappling with evil and faith. The psychologically dark ending left a lasting impression, prompting James to vow to one day write his own crime novel set in Brighton, his hometown.
A Book That Remains Unfinished
Not all literary experiences have been positive for James. He admits that Tolstoy's War And Peace has left him cold, despite taking it on holiday for the past 40 years. Each attempt results in only a few chapters read, a struggle he attributes not to the Russian names but to an unexplained disconnect, especially since he enjoyed Dostoevsky's Crime And Punishment. He remains hopeful that he might finish it in the next four decades.
In related news, James's own work, The Hawk Is Dead by Peter James, is now available in paperback from Pan for £9.99.
