Books, Issue 696

William Boyd set to write next James Bond novel

As yet untitled book promises return to 'classic Bond'

Novelist William Boyd has revealed that he will be the third author to step into the shoes of Ian Fleming's to write the next 007 book, but says he won't be relying on gadgets to create his 'classic' Bond. The Glasgow University graduate will write a…

Gordon Ferris - Bitter Water

Easy Tartan Noir read lacking in excitement and originality

(Corvus) Tartan Noir has been steadily gathering pace over the years as more and more Scottish authors try their hand at crime writing and Gordon Ferris is the latest to be heralded as the ‘new Ian Rankin’. But the excitement that should come from the…

First Shot: Just Say Aye - an extract from Irvine Welsh's Skagboys

A sneak peek inside the Edinburgh author's Trainspotting prequel

We head oot and dive oantae a 16, bound fir Johnny’s pad at Tolcross. It’s a blindin hot day so we sit doonstairs at the back for a better view ay the passin fanny. Back top deck wi Begbie, tae intimidate wideos, back bottom wi Sick Boy tae leer at…

Interview: Irvine Welsh on Trainspotting prequel Skagboys

The new book, Leith, Twitter and the importance of subcultures

Early on in our transatlantic phone conversation, it suddenly becomes unclear whether I’m chatting to Irvine Welsh or Frank Begbie. When I ask whether he might well be the busiest man in Scottish culture right now, the response comes over loud, clear…

New historical books round-up

Kate Summerscale, Paul French, Andrew Martin, Sarah Fraser and John Romer all to release new works

How do you follow up a mind-blowing success like The Suspicions of Mr Whicher? Well, if you’re Kate Summerscale, you understandably get right back onto that period saddle with Mrs Robinson’s Disgrace: The Private Diary of a Victorian Lady (Bloomsbury).

Mark Haddon - The Red House

The Curious Incident author delivers a mature domestic drama for grown-ups

(Jonathan Cape) Prolific author of children’s books and part-time writer of novels for adults, Mark Haddon’s latest is his most mature work to date. It’s mature in terms of both content and style, and reading The Red House there’s a sense that this…

Spring book festivals round-up

Colonsay, Boswell and Booked! all offer individual takes on literary festivities

Often it can be a tricky task choosing which Book Festival on the calendar to attend, especially when there’s a diary clash. Whether by accident or design, it’s possible to pop into all three of the major literary extravaganzas over the coming month.

Dan Slott & Humberto Ramos - Spider-Man: Spider Island

New Spidey adventure too frivolous to be genuinely engaging

(Marvel) Spider-Man has always been one of the comics world’s more light-hearted superheroes. While there have been moments of introspection and heartache, he’s always more than ready with a corny quip as he swings into battle. Spider Island continues…

Russell Kane - The Humorist

A gory black comedy from the restless comic

(Simon & Schuster) Anyone familiar with Russell Kane’s stand-up comedy won’t be surprised with his debut dip into literary fiction. The winner of the 2010 Edinburgh Comedy Award might be a restless spirit on stage, but his number one priority is the…

Kathleen Jamie - Sightlines

Uneven collection of nature essays heightened by the author's passion and outrage

(Sort Of Books) Kathleen Jamie’s collection of essays has the potential to be a remarkable study of nature and human existence within it. Unfortunately, it isn’t until two thirds of the way into Sightlines that Jamie begins to emerge as an engaging…

Michael Frayn - Skios

An astute and entertaining comic novel from the erstwhile playwright

(Faber) Michael Frayn’s new novel is a farce of Carry On proportions. Awkward sexual encounters, mistaken identities and buffoonish caricatures of powerful men and women litter the plot of this engaging, occasionally bawdy comedy. To many, Frayn is…

Jackie Kay - Reality, Reality

A short story outing with some beautiful moments but overall patchy quality

(Picador) In the wake of 2010’s fantastic memoir Red Dust Road and last year’s poetry collection Fiere, this short story outing has some beautiful moments in it, and Jackie Kay’s trademark compassion for her characters is intact, but the quality of…

Museums-and-literature project 26 Treasures to form basis of new book

The collection of 'sestudes' will be published by Unbound

When 26 Treasures came to the National Museum of Scotland between December 2011 and January 2012 it was well received by writers and visitors alike. 26 writers were assigned 26 objects from the museum's vast collection of historical artefacts and asked…

Swiss writer, philosopher and documentarian Alain de Botton - interview

First record you ever bought Genesis by Genesis. Last extravagant purchase you made An Easter holiday to Istanbul. First film you saw that really moved you The Jungle Book. Last lie you told That I had read a book I hadn’t. First movie…

Canongate launch series of monthly talks

Canongate Talks speakers include David Byrne, Jonah Lehrer, David Shrigley and Richard Holloway

Canongate Books are working in association with Waterstones to open a new series of monthly events in the capital called Canongate Talks. Each event will include leading writers and thinkers from science, literature, philosophy, psychology, arts and…

Artist Martin Eden on LGBT comic Spandex

The plot focuses on a team of gay superheroes who fight crime in Brighton

(Titan Books) Many a quip has been made about Batman and Robin bunking up, but how often are there actually LGBT themes in comics? With the latest incarnation of Batwoman being an out lesbian, there is certainly more scope for a homosexual hulk, and…

New J.K. Rowling book a dark comedy for adults titled The Casual Vacancy

Novel from Edinburgh-based Harry Potter author out 27th Sept 2012

Publisher Little, Brown have announced that Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's novel for adults will be a dark comedy called The Casual Vacancy. The Edinburgh-based author is best known for her series of seven Harry Potter novels, which sold 450 million…

Stephen Fry to produce and star in adaptation of Ian Rankin's Doors Open

TV drama filmed in Edinburgh also stars Douglas Henshall

Stephen Fry will produce and star in a new TV adaptation of Ian Rankin's novel Doors Open due to be filmed in Edinburgh this month. Rankin's 2008 novel will provide the plot for a two-hour ITV drama starring Fry and Scottish actor Dougie Henshall.