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The
Cheltenham Festival of Literature Spring Weekend featured a wealth
of writing talent, both new and established.
Veteran
science fiction writer Brian Aldiss spoke to young writer Adam Roberts
at Cheltenham College about a literary career which spans over 50
novels.
Born
in 1925, Aldiss gave a fascinating and philospohical account of
his many years as a professional writer, and the pitfalls of the
"science fiction" tag.
I wanted to work with a genius, and
Stanley (Kubrick) was a genius.
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| Brian
Aldiss |
He
also wrote the story on which the Steven Spielberg film AI was based,
and talked about working with both Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick,
who originally bought the rights to the story shortly before his
death.
Film
Aldiss
and Kubrick clashed over the storyline, which centres around a robot
boy.
"(Kubrick)
wanted him turning into a real boy at the end, like Pinnochio. I
couldn't see that working," said the author.
When
asked why he put himself through the tribulations of working with
such a notoiously "difficult" character, he said: "I
wanted to work with a genius. And Stanley was a genius."
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| Festival
venue Cheltenham Town Hall |
Reggae
Later
that evening Rita Marley gave a vibrant account of her life and
her marriage to reggae icon Bob Marley, on which she has written
a book entitled No Woman, No Cry.
Despite
the pouring rain, Cheltenham Town Hall was packed for the event.
She
remembered being caught by her irascible aunt with a young Bob whom
she had smuggled into her house.
"She
said to me, what is that? Not 'who is that' - what is that!"
laughed Rita.
Memories
When
asked by and audience member for her fondest memory of her late
husband, she replied with a smile, "Making love!"
She
discussed her early years with musician Bob, the couple's conversion
to Rastafarianism and her husband's phenomenal success.
Of
course, Rita is a highly accomplished woman in her own right, a
distinguished recording artist who is also heavily involved with
charity work in Ghana.
Success
The
organisers deemed the weekend to be a great success.
Highlights
on the Sunday included appearances from Dame Judi Dench, socialite
Annabel Goldsmith and punctuation guru Lynne Truss.
Read
Nic Baddeley's review of the festival
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Highlights
on the Saturday of the Cheltenham Festival of Literature Spring Weekend
included esteemed science fiction writer Brian Aldiss and Rita Marley,
former wife of singer Bob Marley.
