In the autumn of 2006 I had the pleasure of meeting Alan Warner after hearing him read from his then new novel The Worms Can Carry Me To Heaven. This is the only time I have ever been star stuck and I found myself instantly shy in front of him and acting like a schoolgirl.
After studying Movern Callar at university I was somewhat in love with the man who had created the wonderfully messed up and interesting character we find in Morvern. The girl who chops up her boyfriend with a meat cleaver after he has committed suicide, buries him in the Highlands and then goes on to publish his manuscript and accept the praise for his hard work. I also felt shy at the fact that he seemed to have quite a good grasp of what it means to be a woman, and how we think. We only spoke for a short time, but I like to think I maybe made an impression. If not for my giddy childish attitude and obvious HUGE crush on him, then at least for the fact that I loved his debut novel and still think it is one every book lover should pick up and read. Although morbid and stark at times it is a beautiful portrayal of self discovery and definitely one not to be missed.
Find out more from literature.britishcouncil.org/alan-warner
Leave a Reply