. . . What are you currently reading?
Suzanne Mettler, Robert C. Lieberman. As many Americans, I am disturbed by the increasing polarization in politics, as well as the rise of movements and demigods that I find alarming.
These authors point out examples in U.S. history where any one of four threats has endangered democracy. The authors’ alarming, yet articulate message is that we live in an age where all four of these threats are real.
. . . Would you go to an island in the desert?
Until some author pens Surviving On A Desert Island For Fun And Profit, I’ll go with Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings. It is a well-told epic story, and its pace, tone, and structure are ideal templates for writers of any genre.
I used novels for inspiration in my own writing, even though they are in the fantasy and crime genres. To make it even more enjoyable for us language enthusiasts like ourselves, Tolkien invented a few tongues to describe his characters. As I wait for rescue, that might be what inspires me.
Jeffrey Deaver has been reading Four Threats by Suzanne Mettler: The Recurring Criticisms Of American Democracy, because he’s ‘troubled’ by political polarization.
. . . Which of these books first got you hooked on reading?
Ian Fleming’s From Russia with love. When I first read this book, I was eight years old. I was fascinated by its singular protagonist and the richness and exoticism of the setting. I found the plot easy enough to understand at my age. Fleming kept a low profile about violence and romance, which was very appropriate. The novel was a spoiler. Bond will change your mind about Pooh.
. . . left you cold?
I’m sorry to admit that I was defeated by Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. The book is a post-modern masterpiece and it hints at a Hamlet retelling. I was intrigued by the title.
Things got more complex. It was difficult to understand the story. The length and number of endnotes intimidated me.
Still, I will say I remain impressed with Wallace’s vast imagination and mesmerised by his soaring writing style.
The Midnight Lock by Jeffery Deaver (HarperCollins £14.99) is published on November 25.