Open Book - 10/10/2010

In a special edition of the programme from the Cheltenham Literary Festival, Mariella Frostrup talks to Booker of Bookers winner Salman Rushdie about his new novel, Luka and the Fire of Life. A companion piece to his earlier book for children 'Haroun and the Sea of Stories', this book has the same family at its heart but the adventure and magic belong to Haroun's younger brother, Luka. Joining them will be American crime writer James Ellroy who will be talking to Mariella about his memoir "The Hilliker Curse" in which he describes his obsessive pursuit of women following his mother's murder when he was ten. Plus - an appreciation of the work of Alan Garner, author of the classic children's book The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, published 50 years ago. Set in Alderley Edge, the novel follows the story of Colin and Susan and the Wizard who saves them. The literary editor of The Times, Erica Wagner, pays tribute to Garner's arresting and unique imaginative world. PRODUCER: SALLY SPURRING.