From scary spies to a sewing judge – event of contrasts
Off the shelf – reviewer Mike Tilling reveals his pick of annual Books by Beach
This year’s Books by the Beach was a real page-turner with festival director Heather French declaring it a success – and promising another event next year. Here book fan and reviewer Mike Tilling looks at the best of Books by the Beach.
Frank Gardner – Invasion Interviewed by Helen Boaden
What a privilege it is to hear an accomplished speaker like Frank Gardner. In a fascinating and powerful presentation, the BBC’s Security Correspondent divided his hour between discussing his new novel, Invasion, and thrilling the audience with insights into the world of espionage.
His appearance in a wheelchair was a reminder of the shocking events in Saudi Arabia where he was shot and badly injured and his cameraman was killed. Ever since he has been vocal on wheelchair access issues.
He was as smooth and polished as you might expect of such an experienced foreign correspondent. However, he was also quite scary as he detailed the methods used in surveillance and monitoring by Security Services
Polly Toynbee – An Uneasy Inheritance
Interviewed by Alan Johnson
Polly Toynbee’s name will be familiar to any student of history from Arnold Toynbee who wrote a monumental history of the rise and fall of civilizations, as well as her own fame as a Guardian journalist.
She confessed to a feeling of guilt at such a privileged family history and, in An Uneasy Inheritance, confesses to so little connection to the Socialism she and, the family, had supported for generations.
By ‘connection’ she meant the working class roots of the movement. In an attempt to understand her own history better she wrote this new book. She unearthed a whole catalogue of professors, writers and other professionals. Each one secured a significant reputation in the history of the Labour Party and/ or radical political opinion. This was an honest speaker with a serious story to tell.
Helen Lederer – Not That
I’m Bitter
In Discussion with Gerry Foley
One of the delights of attending successive sessions of Books by the Beach is the contrast as one speaker succeeds another. The modest and engaging Helen Lederer provided that contrast simply through her lightness of her tone.
Her session embodied the ironic spirit in the title of her book. Of course, we got plenty of anecdotes from her early days in show business – trying to make a career as a female comedian and her friendship with with Jennifer Saunders.
She revealed that her favourite comedian was Victoria, not just because of the comedy, but also her role in promoting women
Alan Johnson – Death on the Thames with Helen Boaden
Helen Boaden opened the discussion by questioning Alan Johnson about the background to his new novel. She was intrigued by the female police officer, Louise Mangan, and why he wanted to put a woman in such a prominent, heroic position.
The answer shocked the audience when he explained how his father had abused his mother and ever since he had wanted to promote the cause of women’s rights.
Alan Johnson revealed that film rights to some of his work has been sold – we can look out for a film in the near future.
Sophie Elmhurst – A Whale, a Shipwreck and a Love Story with Helen Boaden
An intriguing title attracted a large audience of the curious with those already familiar with the book, to this moving presentation by Sophie Elmhurst.
In 1973 a suburban couple left their humdrum life and sail to New Zealand. Against all the odds, they are sunk by a whale and have to take to their life raft.
They survive for 118 days before being rescued. They then find themselves in the middle of a media frenzy with public appearances and requests to write books.
As had been the case throughout the journey, Marilyn Bailey proved to be steadfast, while her husband, a very private person, found the attention more difficult. This was a fascinating story told by an author clearly moved by their saga.
Patrick Grant – Less with Helen Boaden
Striding casually on to the stage, in a black T-shirt, it was almost as though a rock star had descended on the Queen Street Methodist Church. Apart from his role as a judge on BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee, Patrick Grant has become a campaigner for re-cycling and a successful author.
He spoke eloquently on the way that his life has changed since becoming a Sewing Bee judge and how it has facilitated his campaign against waste in the clothing industry.