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Lindsey Davis - An Interview
by Nicholas Newman 14 September 2007
I
talked with Lindsey Davis, the famous authoress, in the lounge of Rome’s Hotel
Forum near the ancient Forum that plays such a vital setting for many of her
Falco detective novels. Lindsey Davis is busy at work on a short story
commissioned by BBC Radio 4, in a new initiative, which pairs writers with
reading groups in the central England region; it will be broadcast in 2008. Then
she next turns to the nineteenth novel of her highly successful historical
comic detective series set in the first century AD of the Roman Empire under
Emperor Vespasian. It will be set in Roman Alexandria and Lindsey comments, 'The
challenge is to avoid all mention of Pharaohs!'
Falco
Davis’s Falco detective books are certainly popular, being sold throughout
world, translated into many European languages and dramatised on the BBC. Her
hero, Marcus Didius Falco, was voted recently by BBC listeners as the most
appealing character in fiction. Davis herself has been awarded a string of
honours, including the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award and the Sherlock
Award for best comic detective. Her first Falco detective novel Silver Pigs
(1989) was about a plot to overthrow the Emperor Vespasian rule (AD 69 to 79),
and her eighteenth Saturnalia (2007) novel is about political scandals,
murder and mischief during the Roman equivalent of Christmas.
When asked does she share many of the traits and opinions of her heroes
Falco and Helena, Lindsey chuckled, ’Yes, but not all of them, since I use them
as much as a foil to make a point or poke fun at the conventions of the time.’
Beginnings
The books she read in childhood were often historical novels, had heroes, and
heroines who set the heroes straight. ‘These adventures had people surviving in
an unfair world against the odds,’ observes Davis. Her interest in politics was
encouraged by her father who taught government, whilst her Latin teacher sparked
her love for the classics and archaeology.
Born and brought up in Birmingham, she studied English at Oxford University’s
Lady Margaret Hall (famous for its women students who became successful artists,
writers and politicians), where she continued her passion for writing. After
university she worked as a bureaucrat for thirteen years but she maintained her
interest in writing. Though, she admits to being, like most English people,
‘shamefully ignorant of modern European literature, though I have read Simenon.'
1985 was a turning point for Davis, (or as Falco would say verto cuspis),
for she was runner-up in the Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize. Davis
decided it was time to become a full-time professional writer. ‘It took years of
struggle to achieve success,’ she says, until ‘The Silver Pigs’ (1989) novel.
These detective novels have seen Falco and his wife Helena Justina experience
adventures from one end of the empire to the other.
Like with Falco, becoming successful has not changed relationships with
her original friends, but as for the outside world, Lindsey remarks, ‘I have to
become much more careful in my dealings.
Her books
As for her novels, Davis laughs. ‘I draw on ancient European writers including
Suetonius, Juvenal, Martial and Virgil for my sense of the period. I write stuff
that is different and original,' she continues. 'I loathe pigeon holes. I don’t
write like anybody else. I have been to all the countries where I set my
adventures, often visiting more than once the sites of the novels, in order to
give a sense of place, scale, light and mood to the story. In addition, I back
it up with much of the material that is easily available on the Roman Empire.’
Readers of Falco books certainly get to know the dangers faced working in a
British silver mine, seeing the sights in ancient Greece or as soldier in the
dark forbidding forests of Germany. But for many fans, including myself, perhaps
a more detailed analysis of the real politique of the times might be
welcome?
Her style is not the tired Agatha Christie style pot boilers. It is ‘different
and original,’ she remarks, and not the 'ghastly modern kind of writing as
personal therapy type.' She does not mention that her story lines provide a
mischievous guide to the unknown country that is the Roman Empire, whilst still
bringing a world that a modern day Machiavelli would find reminiscent of today’s
powerbrokers in Berlin, Brussels, Paris or even modern day Rome.
Getting published
Unlike some authors, who see sending their latest book to publisher as the end
of the process. Lindsey laughs, ‘I take a much more intense interest in
contracts than many authors (self-defeating wimps!).’ She observes that ‘getting
a publisher, getting paid properly, getting books produced to a high standard,
and getting publicity to ensure your books are made available is much the same
in any country – very hard!’ The interest in her books varies across Europe.
The rants or spirited remarks on her website, have become famous amongst
her fans, they are there to spark debate about the issues she faces as a writer.
She explained, ‘It all started when I was asked to translate my stories into the
American idiom for the North American market. Apparently, my American publishers
feared that my early books written in British English would not sell well in the
United States. I proved them wrong, nobody would ask for this to be done in
reverse. After all, we in Britain don’t insist books or films set in small town
America should be translated into British English. If I wrote in mid Atlantic
English, I would loose my identity and voice as a writer. No American publisher
would dare demand a Hispanic American from Texas to write as if he was a New
Yorker!
Europe and Turkey
Lindsey admits to being a keen European - through selling her work and being
welcomed in European countries. As for Turkey joining the European Union, ‘Why
not - it was part of the Roman Empire! I am grateful to have, incidentally, a
keen and efficient Turkish publisher.’ Lindsey Davis ends the interview
commenting.’ No time for more; the ancient Lighthouse and Library of Alexandria
is calling.’
Latest news for European fans
The next Falco novel is due out- in June 2009; on present form only Spanish
readers will get that one to start with, though several countries are catching
up. Denmark and Germany have produced translated audio books. BBC radio drama is
available on the continent or online. Davis says, ‘There are no current plans
for film adaptations, perhaps because I am not interested in having inferior
versions!'
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