Local Life - Wigan - August 2021

62
Celebrity authors
Actors and other celebrities often try their hand at fiction writing, with various degrees of success (and often
a lot of help from a ghost writer). The authors we’re looking at this month have all managed to prove their
writing skills to both readers and critics, in some cases carving out a whole new career for themselves.
Neil Patrick Harris – The Magic Misfits 1 & 2
The How I Met Your Mother star has written several books, including a choose your own
adventure-style autobiography. His children’s series follows a street magician who teams up
with other like-minded kids to stop villains in their tracks. Aimed at children aged eight and
up, The Magic Misfits series is ideal for fans of Pseudonymous Bosch and Lemony Snicket. It’s
very well-written, very different and very funny.
Us Three – Ruth Jones
Ruth Jones brings her usual Gavin and Stacey wit and warmth to her second novel. Us Three centres
on a trio of women who became best friends at primary school. We follow their lives over the next 40+
years, through love and loss and all of life’s usual ups and downs. Like any relationship, friendship isn’t
always easy, and this one is stretched almost to breaking point.
Because of You – Dawn French
While Dawn French’s latest novel contains a dash of humour, it’s also heart wrenching, dealing as it does
with stillbirth, abduction and grief. Two women give birth at the same hospital. Only one mother leaves
with a baby. As the baby, Minnie, grows into a teenager, she becomes pregnant herself and discovers
that everything she thought she knew may well be based on a lie.
A Bright Ray of Darkness – Ethan Hawke
The actor Ethan Hawke has returned to fiction writing after a break of almost two decades. A Bright
Ray of Darkness draws on his own experiences and tells the story of a celebrated actor, William, whose
personal life is crumbling around him, much to the delight of the press. William turns to the theatre,
throwing himself into the world of Henry IV. A fascinating glimpse into the world of acting, privilege
and fame.
Troy – Stephen Fry
The third book in Stephen Fry’s series retelling the Greek myths centres on probably the most famous
myth of them all – the battle of Troy. Whether you think you know the full story or can just recall
something about a queen called Helen and a wooden horse, this book is well worth a read. Fry really
brings the tale to life, adding his own wry humour to the mix.
Uncommon Type – Tom Hanks
Uncommon Type is Tom Hanks’ collection of seventeen short stories. Most offer a slice of American life,
whether it’s from the viewpoint of a ten-year-old boy or a war veteran. Each one references a typewriter
and some characters appear in more than one story. Other than that, the stories are very diverse,
ranging from one about a bowling whizz who becomes an unwilling celebrity, to time-travelling sci-fi.