Lecturer's latest book hits shops
A creative writing lecturer has published his latest book.
Will Buckingham has already received high praise from children's laureate Julia Donaldson, for his fictional tale entitled Snorgh and the Sailor.
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However, his latest literary offering The Descent of the Lyre is a more grown-up affair.
It plunges the reader into the music and folklore of Bulgaria in the early 19th century, and the Bulgarian village of Gela, legendary home of Orpheus.
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The novel has already been recommended by The Bookseller website and the Telegraph's books section.
Will, who has lectured at De Montfort University in Leicester for the past five years, said: "I'm really pleased with the way this book has turned out.
"I've written a children's book, adult fiction, and philosophy books, so this is somewhat of a departure. But I love the variety I get from writing."
The book is about Ivan Gelski, who is suffering under Ottoman rule.
When his bride-to-be his abducted the night before the wedding, he seeks revenge but a chance encounter with a travelling guitarist sets him on a journey through fame, martyrdom, and legend.
The author was awarded a small Arts Council grant in 2007, to research the book and spent some time in Bulgaria, travelling overland with his classical guitar, immersing himself in Bulgarian music, folklore and history.
Will said: "Although it mixes fiction with history, the tone is more akin to a fable.
"I wrote the book when I returned from Bulgaria but I re-drafted it many times until I finally finished it last year.
"I spent some amazing time in Bulgaria as part of my research. It was less about immersing myself in books, and more about talking to old ladies about folk lore and the bygone tales they had heard."
The Bookseller's panel said it was "a well-written, lyrical tale which evoked the myth of Orpheus".
English lecturer Kathleen Bell, principal lecturer in English and creative writing, said: "Will is terrific to work with. As a colleague he's full of ideas and has such an original mind.
"We're a group of working authors at the university and we're always sharing ideas, so it's great to see how they develop. I'm really looking forward to getting a copy of the book and reading it in full."
Comments
by OSullivan
Friday, September 14 2012, 1:19PM
“I remember hearing about this book's early stages in a lecture by Will. Very interesting stuff. Looking forward to picking it up!”