Philip Kerr has written over 11 standalone titles of fiction and non-fiction, and is the author of the two best-selling series, Bernie Gunther and Children of the Lamp (the film rights for which were sold to Steven Spielberg). He was the recipient of the prestigious Ellis Peters Historical Award in 2009. The latest addition to the Bernie Gunther series, Prague Fatale (Quercus 2011) will be released this month.
1.Best book about trips or journeys.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence; Conrad's Heart of Darkness.
2. Which book are you mostly likely to pick as your ultimate survival manual?
Arguably: Essays by Christopher Hitchins
3. Which author would you most like to go on a vacation with, and what would you be doing?
I should like to go on vacation with J.K. Rowling. We would be spending her money, of course...
4. If there was one book you had to burn for firewood, which would it be?
The Bible.
5. Which paragraph or line from a novel would you choose for your final 'message in a bottle'?
"'Wendy,' Peter Pan continued in a voice that no woman has ever yet been able to resist, 'Wendy, one girl is more use than twenty boys.'" (J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan)
Image courtesy of The Oldie. Special thanks to Sophie Rochester and theSoho Lit Festival.