DECADES IN WRITING
SEBASTIAN FAULKS & ROMESH GUNESEKERA
Two literary giants and long-standing friends of the festival, Sebastian Faulks and Romesh Gunesekera joined former Festival curator Jill Macdonald to converse about two special books celebrating 30 years since its publication that put these writers on the map.
Birdsong by
Sebastian Faulks was published in 1993, a war novel that uncovered the lives of a British soldier on the front lines during the First World War and his granddaughter attempting to understand his experiences of the war. Birdsong was one of Faulk’s best received works, earning critical acclaim for Faulk’s successful attempt in bringing public awareness to the experience of war remembered by veterans.
Reef by Romesh Gunasekera was published in 1994, a historical fiction novel of a talented young chef named Triton committed to pleasing his master, a marine biologist obsessed with sea and marine life, oblivious to the political unrest bubbling and threatening his country. Reef was Gunasekera’s debut novel and was incredibly well received, shortlisted for the Booker Prize and winner of The Economist Book of the Month, New Voice Award and the Premio Mondello Five Continents Asia Prize.
At their session, the two writers looked back at these two novels and engaged in a dialogue that contrasted and complimented their work, discussing at length the creative process behind the books and how important it is to strive for factual accuracy when penning a book set back in time. “All writers do intensive research when they write but even then, there are little facts that still get askew. The great thing about fictional writing is that it doesn’t have to be truthful, it just has to be convincing” said Faulks.
Looking back at three decades of their work, the two also commented on how these books were received by readers then and now. “The relationship a writer has with their readers is very interesting. Personally, I think it’s fascinating to see that there are readers who lose themselves in the writings of someone’s ridiculous solitude” commented Gunesekera.
The session wrapped up with readings by both authors of experts from their respective books.
It was full house for beloved author Alexander Mccall Smith. The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series writer has been a global favourite for almost a quarter of a century and with over 100 books under his belt and with many more to come, Mccall
Smith joined Hen Tatham for a serious and yet utterly unserious conversation about books, writing and life.
“Have you ever been compared to a serial killer because you are a serial writer?” asked Hen, a question to which Mccall Smith admits that he is somewhat of a serial novelist stating that he feels compelled to write at least 2000-3000 words a day, quite like going to the gym, “you know how if you don’t go to the gym, even just for one day, you feel uneasy? I have that same uneasiness if I don’t sit down and write a few thousand words a day – after all, I write five books a year, there must be some discipline involved!”
Having just finalized yet another novel, Mccall Smith tells the audience that he’s already writing another, even while he’s in Galle. Mccall Smith also surprised the audience with a recital of few of his poems titled ‘Language of Pilots’ and ‘Nocturnal Blessing’ before starting a fun bidding war midst session to give away his books to the audience.
All in all, the session was incredibly hilarious. Despite being one of the world’s most prolific writers, Mccall Smith doesn’t take himself too seriously and showed the audience that not only is he funny on paper, but he’s also incredibly witty and genuine in person. To nobody’s surprise, Mccall Smith received a roaring standing ovation from the crowd at the end of his session.
DEEPTHI
“I think Alexander Mccall Smith by default is extremely entertaining. It’s a given that whenever there is a session with him you come away feeling that you have been entertained and informed and you don’t feel the hour go by.
It’s like having a friend over. We came from India for the festival and we are incredibly delighted that GLF was back!”
KEERTHI
“I’m a huge fan ! I really enjoyed the session. His poetry is something new. He’s so creative – these are things that AI could never do. Alexander Mccall Smith is more and more evidence that we can never replace human writers ”
DURRIAH
“I loved him! He’s one of my favourite authors and I have been a fan of his for many, many years. I am fortunate I saw him before in Galle last time and this time again. He’s so funny and witty and his books are great. A wonderful session again.”
SUE
“I love the session; it was just a laugh from start to finish and I loved the poem about the pilots! I just think he’s got such an amazing sense of humour.”