The Book Club
Terry Hayes: The Year of the Locust
Nov 15, 2023
Terry Hayes, author of I Am Pilgrim, discusses the inspiration for 'The Year of the Locust' and the challenges of transitioning from screenwriting to novel writing. He delves into the metaphysical elements in the book and explores the importance of plausibility in science fiction. The chapter also discusses the significance of 'Riddly Walker' and foreshadowing in writing techniques.
34:00
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Quick takeaways
- Terry Hayes wanted to create a spy thriller that defied genre conventions, injecting metaphysical elements to challenge the reader's perceptions.
- Hayes struggled with post-publication depression after the success of his debut novel, contemplating alternate career paths like becoming a visual artist.
Deep dives
The Year of the Locust: A Unique Take on the Spy Genre
Terry Hayes, the screenwriter and novelist, discusses his new book, 'The Year of the Locust.' Hayes explains that he wanted to write a different kind of spy thriller, one that defied the conventions of the genre. He wanted to make the narrative more complex and inject metaphysical elements into the story, making the protagonist's experiences more surreal and challenging. Hayes also talks about the challenges of being a writer in Hollywood and how it inspired him to pursue novel writing. He highlights the differences between writing for films and writing novels, particularly in terms of character development and narrative structure.
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