IN an evening ripe for pretentiousness, two down-to-earth literary talents delighted a packed Huddersfield University studio last night.
League of Gentlemen brains Mark Gatiss and Jeremy Dyson appeared as part of the literature festival. Both read extracts from their new books followed by an entertaining question and answer session.
Gatiss teased the crowd with a few pages of his forthcoming second novel The Devil in Amber, due for release in December.
It is the second in the trilogy chronicling the escapades of his Edwardian dandy detective Lucifer Box.
Gatiss writes, and indeed reads, like honey dripping from a knife and is clearly enjoying penning these books.
Dyson revealed that his first novel Still, due for release in three weeks, had been a long time in the making. He read from the start and depicted a young boy screaming as his father forced him into a strange house and made him wear a mask. League devotees may have feared the dark and sinister worst, but this time it was just a trip to the dentist.
A range of questions were asked. Gatiss revealed a major film company had been interested in making a film of his first book the Vesuvius Club.
Their only demand was that Box be a "sort of Austin Powers character". Gatiss said he politely declined.
But the most enjoyable aspect was that both guests were just so honest and likeable.
Both are highly successful, and clearly talented, but are still able to not take themselves too seriously.
