John le Carre’s decision to publish Silverview after his death a ‘mystery’, agent says

Published

3 years ago

October 13, 2021

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Acclaimed spy novelist John le Carré’s decision to posthumously publish his new novel Silverview is “a mystery” in itself, according to the author’s literary agent Jonny Geller.

Mr Geller, who worked with le Carré for just under 15 years, says the book was finished in September 2014: “He said to me ‘ok it’s ready’ … I was waiting at my house for the book but nobody delivered a box, instead I got a letter that said ‘I’ve decided this isn’t the time but if you wish to publish this after my death with the permission of my sons, please have my blessing’.”

Le Carré – who went on to publish three further books before his death in December 2020 – wouldn’t reveal to his agent why he would only release Silverview posthumously.

“It’s a mystery to me,” Mr Geller admits. “He said ‘Look, I don’t want you to read it because I’m worried that you’ll like it and try and persuade me and, at the moment, I don’t feel I want this book out there’.”

Mr Geller says neither he nor le Carré’s family fully understand the author’s reasons for doing so.

After the author’s death, Mary Mount, his editor of the past decade, worked alongside le Carré’s youngest son, novelist Nick Cornwell, to get Silverview ready for publishing.

“It was in a very polished shape when it arrived … we were very respectful and we were both channelling le Carré’s very strong voice throughout.”

Le Carré’s novel is being released on what the industry calls “Super Thursday”, when hundreds of books are released aimed at the Christmas market.

Trade magazine The Bookseller has suggested this year’s event will be the lightest in years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, with fewer titles than normal released.

Highlights include memoirs and non-fiction books by Olympic diver Tom Daley, Drag Race runner-up Bimini Bon Boulash, TV personality Paris Fury and comedians Billy Connolly, Michael McIntyre, Jack Whitehall, Rob Beckett and Julian Clary; a posthumous novel by Andrea Camilleri; new fiction from Sophie Kinsella, Christine Pride, Jo Piazza and Heather Morris; cookery titles from Nigel Slater and the Hairy Bikers; and children’s books by Julia Donaldson, Liz Pichon, Tom Fletcher and Sir Lenny Henry.

Le Carré’s posthumous novel is likely to top the bestseller charts for weeks to come. A prolific writer whose work was translated into 47 different languages, the sustained popularity of his body of work speaks for itself.

But the current popularity of spy novels as a genre is a sign of the times, according to Professor Penny Fielding from Edinburgh University.

“In a world where there aren’t any truths, spy novels perhaps mirror that more, they give us a sense that knowledge is contingent and provisional rather than absolute,” she says.

Famed character George Smiley was a man from a very British institution but le Carré’s writing inspired many around the world.

Lauren Wilkinson, author of American Spy, says: “Yeah it can be a very white, very male, straight genre but I feel that a writer like le Carré sort of made me see this genre and think ‘well maybe I can my add my voice as well.'”

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How does it all end?

Well, while this is being touted as le Carre’s “last complete masterwork”, read between the lines and the implication is, amongst the extensive archive he left behind there might still be a book or two that may still come in from the cold.

Entertainment

Painting of nude woman prompts police visit at Powys art gallery

Published

9 hours ago

September 20, 2024

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Painting of nude woman prompts police visit at Powys art gallery

A painting of a nude woman with her legs open has prompted a police visit to an art gallery in Mid Wales.

The painting is on display in the window of The Table in Hay-on-Wye, Powys.

Warning: The image below shows the painting

According to gallery owner Val Harris, the police have asked her to remove the painting under the Public Order Act, but she has refused to do so.

Ms Harris told Sky News the response the painting had received from some people was “shocking” and “rather sad”.

“We had the police here under the Public Order Act. They’d had complaints,” she said.

“I’m not prepared to take it out of the window. I run an art gallery, I support my artists, so that’s where we got to.

“And Poppy [Baynham, the artist] wants to keep it in the window, if she wanted to move it ’cause she was finding it too traumatic, I would have respected whatever she wanted.”

The painting formed part of the gallery’s It’s Party Time exhibition.

Some of the complaints were read out in a public meeting on Thursday afternoon, called so people could ask questions about the artwork.

One complaint was that the painting was “not suitable for children”, while another described it as “very sexualised”.

Baynham told Sky News it was “only supportive people” who attended the meeting after the complaints had been made.

“I think everyone who didn’t like the painting was just a bit scared to show their faces obviously. So it turned out really, really great, a lot of people showed up,” she said.

“I couldn’t do it without the support, I think I would have given in if it was all hate.”

The discussion that has been sparked by Ms Baynham’s painting is “all an artist dreams of”, she added.

“The publicity has been amazing for my work, I’ve never had so much people talk about it.”

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed it had received a report and that officers had attended the gallery.

They added the neighbourhood policing team was monitoring the situation.

Entertainment

Kylie Minogue reveals major world tour news – her biggest in more than a decade

Published

1 day ago

September 19, 2024

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Kylie Minogue reveals major world tour news - her biggest in more than a decade

Kylie Minogue has announced her biggest tour in more than a decade – as well as a new album.

The pop star’s Tension tour will open in her home country, Australia, before heading to Asia and reaching the UK in May 2025. More countries and dates in Europe and North and South America are set to be announced over the coming weeks.

It comes after huge success last year with her viral sensation hit Padam Padam and album Tension, as well as a Las Vegas residency and a big show at Hyde Park in London earlier in the summer.

“I am beyond excited to announce the Tension tour 2025,” Minogue said in a statement sent to Sky News. “I can’t wait to share beautiful and wild moments with fans all over the world, celebrating the Tension era and more!

“It’s been an exhilarating ride so far and now, get ready for your close up because I will be calling Lights, Camera, Action… and there will be a whole lot of Padaming!”

The UK dates include shows in Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham and Birmingham, and two at London’s O2 Arena.

Minogue first teased the news as she announced her new album, Tension II, earlier today – revealing the sequel will be released in October, with the lead single, Lights Camera Action coming on 27 September.

“But wait! There’s more…” she added.

The tour announcement followed this afternoon. It will be Minogue’s first since her Golden shows in 2018 and 2019 and her biggest since the Aphrodite: Les Folies tour in 2011, which followed the Aphrodite album and hits including All The Lovers and Get Outta My Way.

The new album includes the dance hit Edge of Saturday Night with The Blessed Madonna, as well as collaborations with Orville Peck, Bebe Rexha and Tove Lo, and Sia.

“The Tension era has been so special to me,” the star said. “I can’t possibly let it be over just yet!”

Minogue, who rose to fame on Australian soap Neighbours in the 1980s before becoming a pop mega star, has had hits throughout the decades ever since – from I Should Be So Lucky, Hand On Your Heart and Better The Devil You Know, to Confide In Me, Spinning Around and Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.

Padam Padam, released in 2023, marked another reinvention with a move into electronic dance, and became a viral hit.

Earlier this year, she was named a global icon at the Brit Awards, and won the Grammy for best pop dance recording for the single.

Entertainment

Geoff Hinsliff: Star who played Coronation Street villain Don Brennan has died

Published

1 day ago

September 19, 2024

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Geoff Hinsliff: Star who played Coronation Street villain Don Brennan has died

Coronation Street star Geoff Hinsliff has died aged 87, ITV has said.

The actor was best known for playing Don Brennan on the soap from 1987 to 1997. He died last weekend.

Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt in the show, paid tribute to Hinsliff on behalf of Coronation Street and ITV, saying: “Geoff was a lovely, quiet man who will be sadly missed by us all.

“His partnership with Lynne Perrie was something rather special and they gave the viewers huge pleasure for many years.”

Born in Leeds, Hinsliff studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and initially appeared on Coronation Street in 1963 and 1977 as different characters.

He joined the cast as taxi driver Don in 1987.

His 10-year stint on the cobbles saw him commit kidnap and attempted murder after several business deals went wrong before his character died when he crashed his car into a viaduct.