Post on 13-Jul-2015
transcript
Michael Marshall SmithMichael Marshall Smith Born 1965 in EnglandBorn 1965 in England Attended Cambridge UniversityAttended Cambridge University Comedy writer/performer Radio 4Comedy writer/performer Radio 4 Worked as a graphic designerWorked as a graphic designer Only ForwardOnly Forward SparesSpares One of UsOne of Us ““Michael Marshall”Michael Marshall”
The Straw Men The Straw Men trilogytrilogy The IntrudersThe Intruders Bad ThingsBad Things
SPARES: PlotSPARES: Plot
Jack Randall is on the run with a Jack Randall is on the run with a small group of rescued “Spares”small group of rescued “Spares”
His flight is interrupted by a series of His flight is interrupted by a series of horrific events in New Richmond and horrific events in New Richmond and he is flung into a hunt for those he is flung into a hunt for those responsibleresponsible
Style and structureStyle and structure
First personFirst person Past tense throughoutPast tense throughout Flashbacks play a large part in the Flashbacks play a large part in the
novel’s structure, with key points novel’s structure, with key points only revealed when necessaryonly revealed when necessary
SF trappings used sparingly – little SF trappings used sparingly – little expositionexposition
VoiceVoice
Much humour, despite the subject Much humour, despite the subject mattermatter
ConversationalConversational Intelligent and cynicalIntelligent and cynical
CharactersCharacters
Jack RandallJack Randall RatchetRatchet The SparesThe Spares VinaldiVinaldi Nearly and HowieNearly and Howie Arlond MaxenArlond Maxen
Why I chose the extractsWhy I chose the extracts
Humour and styleHumour and style Back storyBack story Character and placeCharacter and place