Thursday, October 14, 2010

Peter Ackroyd

Peter Ackroyd’s books include London: The Biography (2000), Thames: Sacred River (2007), biographies of great Londoners (Charles Dickens, William Blake, Thomas More) and the novel, The Great Fire of London (1982).

From his Q A with Anna Metcalfe for the Financial Times:

What book changed your life?

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis. As a young boy I was impressed by its piety.

* * *
Which literary character most resembles you?

Winnie the Pooh.

* * *
Who are your literary influences?

The whole English canon, from Chaucer to Shakespeare, Dickens and Blake.

* * *
Who would you choose to play you in a film about your life?

Cate Blanchett.
Read the complete interview.

--Marshal Zeringue