Library Assistant Hannah is passionate about books and reading. In the latest in her series of author interviews, Hannah chats to author and screenwriter Alex Michaelides.
Born and raised in Cyprus, Alex Michaelides obtained an MA in English from Trinity College, Cambridge, and an MA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. He also studied psychotherapy and worked for two years at a secure unit for young adults – an experience which provided inspiration for his chart-topping debut novel, The Silent Patient, which came out in 2019.
His latest novel, The Fury, was released in January. It's a masterfully paced thriller about a reclusive ex–movie star and her famous friends, whose spontaneous trip to a private Greek island is upended by a murder.
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Hannah: Your debut novel, The Silent Patient, was a huge success. How did it feel to see your book sales skyrocket? Were you prepared for the praise it’s received?
Alex: I had no expectations of success when that book was published. I wrote it for myself, purely for the fun of trying to write a detective story. I didn’t even have an agent at the time, I just wrote it in my spare time. And then when the book was published, I had no idea it would be so successful. It was a lovely surprise and it meant I got to write another, which made me very happy.
Your latest novel, The Fury, was released in January. What was the inspiration behind it?
I wanted to take on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. It’s a fun thing for a writer to attempt - an isolated location, a limited number of suspects and a murder.
What challenges did the island setting of the book bring?
The fact that Christie did it so well and did it first makes it difficult to say anything new. I thought the only fresh thing I could bring to it was to play with the readers’ expectations that they bring to a novel like this. So it became like a dialogue between the reader and the narrator about what we expect to happen next.
Your books share common themes with Greek mythology – is this a conscious effort on your part, or do you notice these parallels as you’re writing?
I think it’s just where my imagination resides. Growing up in Cyprus it’s inescapable really. You are taught Greek mythology and Greek tragedy at school, and I love the myths because they are such great stories.
I love that there are slight connections between the books; is this something you intend to continue with?
Definitely. I enjoy it myself as a reader, encountering the same characters in different books. It adds a kind of realism I think, approaching the characters in a different way in each book. And it gives me a lot of pleasure to think about.
Your novels are intricately plotted; do you plan how your books will end, or do the characters take over?
I wrote The Fury in a different way to the first two. I spent up to two years researching and plotting them, and such detailed planning takes the joy out of writing a little. So this time I tried to write something without knowing where it was going and just let the characters dictate the story. It made the writing a lot more fun and was a really creative experience.
You’ve also written screenplays; which do you prefer to write, novels or films?
I think I enjoy books more. It was a revelation writing my first novel. I always found it difficult to write scenes. But the moment I started writing in Theo’s voice in The Silent Patient I immediately felt comfortable. I think writing from inside a character is a real joy.
Who are some of your favourite authors?
I really widely, all kinds of writers. I love Agatha Christie obviously as she is the reason I became a writer. And I learned how to write mysteries by studying her. I also admire Ruth Rendell. And I love Margaret Atwood, Angela Carter and Evelyn Waugh.
And some of your favourite books?
My favourite crime book is A Judgement in Stone by Ruth Rendell, which is think is about as good as crime writing gets. I love Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford and I re-read Wise Children by Angela Carter every couple of years.
Do you have a library card?
I did in London but I’ve recently moved back to Cyprus where I grew up and I haven't sorted one out yet. I used to write a lot in libraries. I really enjoy the peace and quiet. I find it difficult to work in cafes as I end up listening to other people’s conversations!