Main content

25/05/2014

Ned Beauman and Nick Harkaway talk to Mariella Frostrup about the appeal of writing a conspiracy thriller in today's post cold war world.

Mariella explores a literary world shaped by political intrigue, psychological manipulation and mysterious malign forces beyond human control - the conspiracy thriller - with two of the forms latest exponents. Nick Harkaway's latest novel Tigerman is set in a post colonial enclave on the verge of environmental collapse and Ned Beauman, one of Granta's Best Young British novelists of 2013, has set his novel Glow on the streets of London where an imaginary psychotropic drug is gaining the upper hand. What is the appeal of writing a conspiracy thriller in the post cold war era and what are the defining elements of the genre itself?

As the first ever Australia and New Zealand Festival of Literature and Arts is staged in the UK this week writer and journalist Ramona Koval sends us a post-card from Melbourne about current literary goings on down under.

This year's winner of the 2014 Kim Scott Walwyn prize - commissioning editor of genre fiction at Hodder and Stoughton Anne Perry - reveals how to blaze a trail in today's multi platform publishing world. Awarded to exceptional female publishers Perry was described in the judge's citation as the "acme of today's multi talented and multi tasking publisher - a fearless pathfinder who has set a standard to which we should all aspire." Passionate about sci fi and fantasy fiction Perry runs her own sci fi publishing imprint, has founded an award winning scifi blog and back in 2008 launched The Kitchies - the ironically named UK genre prize for "speculative and fantastic" fiction.

And Bernadine Evaristo, award winning writer of The Emperor's Babe reveals the book she would never lend, and how it has influenced her own writing.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Thu 29 May 2014 15:30

Read the Opening Chapter of Tigerman by Nick Harkaway

by Nick Harkaway

Read the Opening Chapter of Glow by Ned Beauman

by Ned Beauman

BOOKLIST

Conspiracy thrillers:

Tigerman by Nick Harkaway - Publisher: William Heinemann

Glow by Ned Beauman - Publisher: Sceptre

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carre

Ìý

Postcard from Australia:

Australia and New Zealand Festival of Literature and Arts

Helen Garner The First Stone

Elizabeth Harrower The Watch Tower

Ìý

Bernadine Evaristo - Book I would never lend:

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Mariella Frostrup
Interviewed Guest Ned Beauman
Interviewed Guest Nick Harkaway

Broadcasts

  • Sun 25 May 2014 16:00
  • Thu 29 May 2014 15:30

This Week's Book List

Read along with us - a list of books discussed in each programme

Books and Authors Podcast

Books and Authors Podcast

Open Book for author interviews and A Good Read for recommended reads

Listen now to books on Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Sounds

Listen now to books on Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Sounds

Escape with books & stories