Three Ways to Use Foreign Language in Novels It was my second novel, The Assassin’s Mark. The story took my main character, journalist Jack Telford, to Spain. Towards the end of the Spanish Civil War. Jack had learned some French. Some Spanish as well. And so, to give the novel colour, I used the “normal” three ways to sensibly introduce some … [Read more...] about Foreign Language in Historical Novels – and a Mention for Esperanto
The Jack Telford Novels
Three books now in the Jack Telford series. Pretty much standalone novels, though they do follow on, one from the other. Action and intrigue at the end of the Spanish Civil War. The Assassin's Mark The first, The Assassin's Mark, sees journalist Jack sent by his editor (Sydney Elliott of Reynold's News) to Spain in September 1938. Why? To check … [Read more...] about The Jack Telford Novels
Nine Things You (Maybe) Didn’t Know About Jack Telford
Jack Telford’s début came with The Assassin’s Mark, set towards the end of 1938. His second set of misadventures were detailed in Until the Curtain Falls, during the final months of the Spanish Civil War, early in 1939. Next, A Betrayal of Heroes follows Jack’s developing career as a war correspondent from 1939 until 1945. And, finally, the … [Read more...] about Nine Things You (Maybe) Didn’t Know About Jack Telford
Favourite Reads – A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
I first came across Chilean writer Isabel Allende when I read The House of the Spirits back in the late 80s. A decade later and I fell in love with Eva Luna. Then, fifteen years ago, I was captivated by her retelling of the legend in her Zorro. Allende and the Chilean Coup Her father was a first cousin to Salvador Allende, President of Chile … [Read more...] about Favourite Reads – A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
Favourite Reads – Stoner by John Williams
I read Stoner a few years ago, not long after it had been "rediscovered." I've read it several times since then and it's probably one of the novels I've recommended perhaps more than any other. So I recently suggested that my oldest friend, Alastair McLachlan (I reckon we've been mates since 1954!) might give it a try. Not only did he do so, but … [Read more...] about Favourite Reads – Stoner by John Williams