THE MIRROR AND THE ROAD

Conversations with William Boyd

‘I want the world of the novel to seem real, I want the characters in the novel to seem real. If you like, I want to colonise the world of the real – the world of journalism, of history, of documentary – to make my fiction more powerful.’

With 17 bestselling novels, five short story collections, 12 films, five television series and three stage plays to his credit, William Boyd has been one of Britain’s most popular and successful writers for over four decades. Now, in these candid and compelling interviews, Boyd reveals the tales behind his fiction and gives a behind the scenes look at his original and adapted work for film, television and theatre.

From his award-winning first novel, A Good Man in Africa, to his darker visions of the continent in An Ice-Cream War and Brazzaville Beach; from the wartime spies of Restless and Waiting for Sunrise to James Bond himself in Solo; from the century-spanning lives and loves of The New Confessions, Sweet Caress and The Romantic to perhaps his best-loved novel and TV series, Any Human Heart, Boyd discusses the ups and downs of his own artistic life – offering a unique insight into the creative process and passions not just of a novelist but also of a screenwriter, a film director and a playwright.

Praise for The Mirror and the Road

‘If Santa’s been paying attention, I’ll find The Mirror and the Road: Conversations with William Boyd in my own stocking’ Mick Herron, Observer, The best books to give as presents this Christmas

‘The perfect representation of Boyd’s voice, and a reflection of his humanity and wit, with a vast amount to say about writing and the creative process. A great book' Alexander Larman, author of Power and Glory

‘Because Owen is a writer himself, this makes The Mirror and the Road fascinating when it comes to craft. It is full of advice for anyone who writes . . . Owen is excellent too at getting Boyd to speak about his “whole-life” novels . . . A huge success, showing Boyd as a warm, generous and thoughtful man . . . I loved it’ Alex Preston, Observer

‘Alistair Owen has compiled a fascinating insight into a writer looking at his own trade . . . The book will obviously have great appeal to fans of Boyd – and literary interviews in general – and his opinions are erudite, enlightening and often amusing’ Martin Chilton, Independent

‘A genuinely fascinating insight into the creative process. Anyone who ever wondered what makes a successful novelist tick will find the answer here . . . In this engrossing book Boyd emerges as engaging an interviewee as he is a literary powerhouse’ Nick Duerden, iNews

‘The more William Boyd reveals about his method . . . the more impressive it seems. For Boyd fans and anyone interested in the craft of writing, the author’s explanation and exploration of his work is fascinating’ Lindsey Hilsum, Times Literary Supplement

‘A fascinating interrogation of one of Britain’s best writers . . . What this collection of interviews does best is to show us the process and the torments that come with being a writer, digging deep into the craft . . . It is a 330-page writing masterclass . . . It should be on the shelf of every university library’ Lee Wright, Everybody’s Reviewing

‘A superbly assembled series of interviews that cover every aspect you could hope for on its subject . . . Alistair Owen has a gift for asking the questions you want the answers to, probing Boyd on his past, his process and the highs and lows of a brilliant career’ Chris Watt, screenwriter of Stalker