Having read the entire bestselling Enemy series, I was expecting big things from this legendary writer. His books have sold internationally and continue to terrify readers across all ages.
As the audience arrived, they were greeted by great music from the band ‘China Shoe Girl’ (an anagram of Charlie Higson) and were directed towards the appropriately designed Zombie-themed food, courtesy of the catering staff who really went to town!
After the introduction, Higson captured the audience with anecdotes about his entry into the world of writing and producing comedy for television. He then talked about his return to being a fully-fledged author. He gave us a glimpse into the mind of the master behind the story of the gripping, blood-curdling sickness that infected all the grown-ups in London, forcing the children that were left to band together to fight for survival.
In telling the audience many of his experiences, thoughts and views, Charlie Higson managed to grab and hold their attention, terrifying and amusing the adults and children in equal measure. The most laughs came when he described using his own sons as ‘guinea pigs’ to test out how much horror and gore he could get away with writing and how he kept having to increase it in order to scare them!
After the talk there was a Q&A session where Higson answered the queries with pithy and witty comments, helping the audience understand more about his world. When signing books afterwards, he took time to talk and laugh with the young people, many of whom had bought one of his books of from the stall manned by staff from Waterstone’s.
Overall it was a funny, friendly evening comprising all the elements needed for a good literary event.
---
Olivia, Yr10