Edinburgh Book Festival Review – Ruth Rendell in conversation with Ian Rankin

No other author in any genre can boast the type of reputation and world-wide recognition that Ruth Rendell can. She is perhaps the world’s best known crime writer, and at the sprightly age of 78, the Queen of Crime looks well below her years, and well up for the task of writing many more best sellers.

If you don’t believe me, have a read of the following facts:

Ruth Rendell has written over 60 novels, including several novellas, and collections of short stories. She has written various non-fiction books, a chapbook, and one anthology. Her novels have been translated into 25 different languages, and she is the recipient of countless awards, including several Crime Writers’ Association awards, Mystery Writers of America awards, a CBE, and was made a lifelong Peer of the Realm, now known by the official title; Dame Ruth Barbara Rendell, Baroness Rendell of Babergh.

In short, she is a remarkable author, and a spectacular woman.

Asked why she does it, by our host, Ian Rankin, in the RBS Main Tent at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Wednesday, Rendell answered; “because I quite like writing.”

Born in London in 1930, Rendell first worked as a journalist before penning her first Inspector Wexford novel in 1964, a series which grew and gave fame to her name. The Wexford series is still running to this day, and with her latest book, Not In The Flesh, published this year, Rendell confirmed to an eager audience that there was “no end in sight.”

Her wit, too, is something that has never deserted her, and when asked by Rankin if she felt like revealing something personal about herself, given how little he was able to find out about her background, she replied firmly and politely; “no, I’d rather not talk about it just now.” The loud applause that followed was as much a sign of respect as it was for the appreciation of her subtle humour. Rankin looked on quite sheepishly as Rendell stuck admirably to her guns, and at times quite appeared a little nervous about interviewing the legend before him.

Rendell read from the first chapter of her latest Wexford novel, Not in the Flesh, describing in perfect English how a man and his dog out truffle hunting, discover a human hand buried in the earth. And if that wasn’t enough to get her avid fans hot with excitement, she also revealed that her next novel – written under her pseudonym, Barbara Vine – was only sent to her publishers on Monday, despite the attempt of the internet to block her emails. Titled, The Birthday Party, there was a visible wave of anticipation at the news of this latest confirmation.

During the Q&A session, a member of the audience referred to the sense of injustice felt by Val McDermid and Denise Mina regarding the bias towards male crime writers, and the lack of press interviews, to which Rendell disagreed. “No, I don’t agree with that at all,” she said. “I seem to do nothing but interviews,” she joked.

Another member of the audience hijacked the questioning rather unfairly by asking what Rendell thought of the violence written by female writers, and in particular lesbian writers, referring directly to the comment made last night by McDermid over her anger about something Ian Rankin was quoted as saying a few months ago. Forced to defend himself by explaining he had been mis-quoted, Rendell took up the argument by supporting Rankin and agreeing with him, given the true context of what was being said. Whether that was enough for The Scotsman reporter in the audience, will remain to be seen.

Rendell remains a force to be reckoned with, and on this showing she has a lot more life in her yet. Her fans in the audience were promised a lot more to come, and at an average of one book a year, it won’t be long until the next Rendell best seller is available on the book shelves.

Long live the Queen of Crime.

Related Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Rendell
www.edbookfest.co.uk

~ Colin Galbraith ~
www.colingalbraith.co.uk