This week, Paul Torday tells us about his fear of appearing on the stage, and reveals what he’d put on the GCSE English Literature syllabus. His new novel, The Legacy of Hartlepool Hall, is published today.
1) As a child what did you read under the covers?
I used to read the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis, with the wonderful Pauline Baynes illustrations. My two favourites were The Horse and his Boy, and The Silver Chair.
2) Has a book ever made you cry, and if so which one?
I can’t think of any book that has made me cry. I cry every Christmas when they screen The Railway Children (the original version with Jenny Agutter and Lionel Blair). The ending always takes me by surprise.
3) You are about to be put into solitary confinement for a year and allowed to take three books. What would you choose?
I think it would have to be The
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in