The Mirror and the Road: Conversations with William Boyd

by Alistair Owen, William Boyd

'One of Britain's most celebrated contemporary novelists' Sunday Times

In this probing series of exclusive interviews, Alistair Owen talks to William Boyd about his works and the life which has inspired them.

The conversations which emerge are a deep-dive into film, art, theatre, literature and the life of a writer. This is one of Britain's most beloved authors on what it is to write in a variety of forms.

'William Boyd has probably written more classic books than any of his contemporaries' Daily Telegraph

'Arguably one of Britain's finest living writers' Sunday Express

384 pages, Paperback

Published November 2, 2023

About the author

ALISTAIR OWEN is the author of five acclaimed books of interviews with British writers, including two Guardian and Observer books of the year. He has written screenplays, stage plays and arts journalism, and chaired writer Q&As at events, festivals and online. His first novel, The Vetting Officer, is available on Kindle and in paperback.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting: a look-under-the-bonnet book without self-pity but a fair amount of human interest. I’m not an especially strong Boyd devotee, but I was pleased to spot a few parallels between the novels and stories that I hadn’t before, such as the fact that Logan Mountstuart (from Any Human Heart) first appears in Boyd’s second story collection. And it never hurts to have a guess or two confirmed as fact. Dr Murray from A Good Man in Africa being modelled on Boyd’s late father is perhaps the most obvious one.

I parted company with Boyd around the time he left Penguin for Bloomsbury, so I inevitably enjoyed the sections about the fiction up to that point best. I note around a dozen titles have replenished Boyd’s back-catalogue since the last time I looked. I rather look forward to getting hold of them.

[Maria Grazia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the inspiration and work of one of our greatest novelists

[Eyejaybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Boyd must be a serious contender for the title of greatest living British writer. His novels are a major adornment to the body of contemporary literature, and I think he is probably incapable of writing an ugly sentence. Indeed, I expect even his shopping lists or notes to the milkman (not that anyone leaves notes for the milkman anymore – indeed, are there any milkmen now?) are exercises in eloquence.

This book takes the form of transcripts of a series of conversations and Zoom calls between Boyd and Alistair Owen, and encompasses most of his works to date, including his novels, short stories, collections of non-fiction articles, and the numerous television and film screenplays that he has written. These conversations offer a pellucid insight into Boyd’s writing itself, and the way that his novels develop.

I always feel a slight trepidation when embarking upon a book like this, in case the insight it might offer to a writer’s methodology may somehow erode some of the magic. No such fears here – this was fascinating, and has, if anything, enhanced my estimation of Boyd’s work