[writing and culture] observation

[inulro]

Today's transport listening was the podcast of last week's "Start the Week". The themes were broadly around the subjects of Sherlock Holmes, crime fiction, ghost stories and other stories we don't believe.

One of the guests was Val McDermid. I've never had any real interest in reading her books even though I've seen every episode of Wire in the Blood, which was based on her books, but that was down to Robson Green's performance. I was pleasantly surprised to hear her speak well about writing, crime fiction, and various other aspects of culture. I'm still not in any great hurry to read her books, though.

Many people who I associate with on a "by choice" basis complain that their work colleagues don't read, or only read chick lit and other stuff they won't touch with a barge pole. I have the opposite problem - a co-worker who loves crime, science fiction and fantasy, who today has turned me on to two series - one forensic anthropology crime, the other urban fantasy - that sound like my kind of thing. Because I need more interests, apparently.

Comments

[ivory-goddess.livejournal.com]

I love Val McDermid's books. I thought Robson Green in the Wire in the Blood tv show was actually a good match for the character as written - something I most definitely did not think I would think when I first heard about the casting! The series went downhill in due course, but I think the books are of a consistent quality, and I'd heartily recommend trying one at some point to see what you think.

[inulro.livejournal.com]

I've been not reading her books because there's always something else I feel more pressed to read, rather than because I've been actively avoiding them, if that makes sense.