• Opinion
  • 18 Apr 24
John Boyne – Mad Hatter Q&A: Biggest thrill? "A private lunch last year with Kate Bush"
John Boyne – Mad Hatter Q&A: Biggest thrill? "A private lunch last year with Kate Bush"
Credit: Rich Gilligan
The Hot Press Newsdesk
The Hot Press Newsdesk

As he releases his new book, Earth, author John Boyne answers our Mad Hatter questions...

Who would be the last person you would invite to your birthday party?
Gemma O’Doherty. It’s hard enough sharing a country with her.

Who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday party?
My boyfriend, Ariel.

Favourite saying?
“We are all terminal cases.” It’s the last line of The World According To Garp and is tattooed on my left arm.

Favourite record?
Kate Bush - Aerial.

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Favourite book?
LP Hartley - The Go-Between.

Favourite film?
Lawrence Of Arabia, although I could also make a strong case for The Devil Wears Prada.

Favourite author?
John Irving. Friend, mentor, great novelist.

Favourite actor / actress?
Anthony Hopkins / Glenn Close.

Favourite musician?
Kate Bush.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Taking to the stage at an awards ceremony in London under the mistaken belief that I had won. Only when I was up there did I realise that I had not. I will take this moment with me to my grave.

Favourite TV programme?
Curb Your Enthusiasm.

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Favourite TV personality?
Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.

Favourite item of clothing?
A Thom Browne grey and purple blazer. I’ve only worn it twice so far; to the launch of Claire Kilroy’s Soldier Sailor, and on Christmas Day.

Most desirable date?
Will Young. I’ve been stalking that poor man for twenty years now without getting so much as a smooch.

If you weren’t pursuing your present career, what other career might you have chosen?
Acting.

Biggest thrill?
A private lunch last year with Kate Bush.

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Biggest disappointment?
The failure of my marriage.

Your concept of heaven?
A place filled with books, musical instruments, and no Wi-Fi.

Your concept of hell?
A MAGA rally.

What would be your dying words?
That was fun.

Favourite term of abuse?
‘You look like a rube.’ (Hannibal Lecter to Clarice Starling in The Silence Of The Lambs.)

Humanity’s most useful invention?
The book.

Humanity’s most useless invention?
Twitter.

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• John Boyne’s latest novel Earth is out today.

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