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along with the fiction. create an important body of work within Scottish literature.
Things could have turned out differently. though. In 1977. Mcllvanney published Laid/air. about a hard—bitten. psychologically damaged. rough and ready cop walking the mean Glasgow streets. That scenario might sound familiar now. but back then the blend of crime fiction. literary themes and a Scottiin setting was unheard of. Ian Rankin himself cites Lair/lair as the inspiration for Rebus. Yes. Mcllvanney accidentally invented ‘tartan noir‘.
Ive been called the Godfather of tartan noir. but the term doesn‘t appeal to me. it‘s just a cunning piece of marketing.~ he says. ‘After Laid/aw. my publisher said. "Do one of them a year and we‘ll make a fortune". but it wasn‘t what i wanted at the time. I‘ve always had a dread of writing the same book twice. and crime writing is like comfort food. folk want you to do the same thing all the time. It was one of the key moments in my life. but I don‘t regret it. I don‘t see the point in nurturing regrets. they just corrode you.‘
William Mcllvanney appears with Liz Lochhead and Tom Leonard at Aye Write! on Fri 16 Feb. Weekend is out now, published by Sceptre.
‘CRIME
WRITING IS LIKE COMFORT FOOD, FOLK WANT YOU TO DO THE SAME THING ALL THE TIME'
AYE WRITE!
WRITE
From confessional stand-ups to Richard and Judy-endorsed Fifers, Brian Donaldson picks out the highlights from Aye Write!
Ra! Persaud With a twinkle in his eye. the dapper broadcaster, author and psychiatrist entertains with talk about seduction. It’s fine, though. you can trust him, he's a doctor. Fri 76 Feb, 6pm.
William Boyd The Ghana—born, Gordon stoun- educated writer has been knocking out quality fiction for over 25 years since his debut. A Good Man in Africa, was published while he was lecturing at Oxford. His current novel, Restless. is a spy drama set during WW2. Sat 17 Feb, 2.30pm.
.7 Alasdair Gray Hosted by the Glasgow sage’s biographer Rodge Glass.
this 80-minute event features chat and readings from the Lanark lad ’s new novel, Three Men in Love. Sun 78 Feb,
7. 40pm.
Janice Galloway and AL Kennedy Two of our finest contemporary scribes go head to head airing their newest bits of fiction, one set in 18th century Italy, the other featuring a man suffering a form of post-WW2 traumatic stress. Mon 79 Feb, 7.30pm.
Mary London and Richard Holloway The former Bishop of Edinburgh, renowned broadcaster and chair of the Scottish Arts Council talks to Mary Loudon. the author of Relative Stranger, about the devastating effects schizophrenia can have on a family. Tue 20 Feb, 6pm.
James Robertson The Fife author and poet has been handed many a glittering prize in his time. including a place in the Richard and Judy Book Club for the excellent Testament of Gideon Mack. Wed 21 Feb, 6pm.
Jon Ronson In Out of the Ordinary the Cardiff-born wag presents the bizarre behavioural patterns of Jonathan King, Kidneys for Jesus campaigners and those in charge of the Kubrick estate. However it is arguably Ronson’s own day-to- day disasters which provide the funniest extracts. Thu 22 Feb, 7.30pm.
Michael Buerk During his 30-year career with the BBC Michael Buerk has covered some of the most important stories around the globe. His memorable reports from Ethiopa in 1984 led to Live Aid. He offers forthright opinions on the state of the media today. Fri 23 Feb, 7pm.
Janey Godley and Ian Pattison Two Glasgow funny folk provide some gallus banter, finding inspiration and comedy in unexpected places. Sat 24 Feb, 7. 75pm.
Iain Banks Dropping the sci-ti M for now. Banksy closes the festival with ~» the launch of his latest family drama. The Steep Approach to Garbada/e. Sun 25 Feb, 6.30pm.
I All events at Mitchell Library; £6 (£4). Phone booking 0877 230 988 7. www.ayewrite.com
15 Feb — 1 Mar 2007 THE LIST 21