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Ian Rankin

Sue Lawley's castaway is writer Ian Rankin.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the writer Ian Rankin. Ian Rankin is an award-winning writer of crime fiction and the creator of the Scottish detective John Rebus who has featured in 17 novels to date.

Born in Fife, Rankin came from a working-class background in a coal-mining town where he says he spent most of his childhood trying to "look like he fitted in". In his bedroom he would live out a fantasy life, writing poems, stories and creating strip-cartoons. He admits there are many parallels between himself and Rebus - they lived at the same Edinburgh address, both are fond of a drink and now they even share the same taste in music, though unlike Rebus, Rankin has never smoked. However all that is about to change; Rebus has reached the age of retirement in the police force and Rankin's next novel will be the last in the series.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Solid Air by John Martyn
Book: A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell
Luxury: Pinball machine (traditional American one)

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 21 Jul 2006 09:00
Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Dave & Ansel Collins

    Double Barrell

    • 25 Years of Rock and Roll: 1971.
    • Connoisseur Collection.

  • Mogwai

    Rage: Man

    • Mogwai: EP.
    • Chemikal Underground.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • John Martyn

      Solid Air

      • Solid Air.
      • Island.

  • Joy Division

    Atmosphere

    • Permanent.
    • London.

  • Van Morrison

    Snow in San Anselmo

    • Hard Nose The Highway.
    • Polydor.

  • The Rolling Stones

    You Can't Always Get What You Want

    • Let It Bleed.
    • London.

  • Belle and Sebastian

    The Boy with the Arab Strap

    • The Boy with the Arab Strap.
    • Jeepster.

  • Jackie Leven

    Linseed Oil

    • Jackie Leven Said.
    • Cooking Vinyl.

  • Book Choice

    • A Dance to the Music of Time - Anthony Powell

  • Luxury Choice

    • Pinball machine (traditional American one)

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Ian Rankin

Broadcasts

  • Sun 16 Jul 2006 11:15
    Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 4
  • Fri 21 Jul 2006 09:00
    Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 4

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