Edinburgh International Book Festival: Michael Palin

Last seen at the Edinburgh Book Festival 25 years ago, Michael Palin has since consolidated his reputation as something of an institution in British life. Possibly least known for his novels, it has been 17 years since his last work of fiction, Hemingway’s Chair, was published.

Discussing his fiction writing, he confesses that he does find it difficult to write, having what seems to be ‘lots of beginnings and middles - but no ends’. His latest novel, The Truth, displays his love of travel, as he documents the lives of a journalist and activist and their lives in India. Travelling east as part of the research for the book, Palin clearly carried a lot of emotion and anger that accompanies the tales he recounts in his text and is engaged in the ethical dilemmas which surround the novel. Known primarily for his comedic work, he does not, he maintained, feel pressure to write comedy, but rather slips into it as a default mode.

It creeps in, but it does not devalue the book. Indeed, there are several clearly serious aspects to the book, both in content and message. Palin stressed that perhaps the most important message the reader should be left with is: ‘Think for yourself. Learn as much about the situation your going into. Be engaged from your own intellect and don’t follow others.’ It is this subtle humour and intellect which so obviously resonates with Palin’s fans. A very funny but also intellectual character, he in turn sees the unconscious, subtle humour as a huge part of British culture. Although there should, he feels, be more comedy and less disco. Wise words.