Fires Which Burned Brightly

Sebastian Faulks is one of our finest living authors, a writer whose work has often explored the fragility of human sanity and how easily it can unravel … A wise and heartfelt piece of writing * The Times *Intriguing, fascinating and enlightening … filled with gratitude and charm, but also full of evidence of the endless curiosity that is every great novelist’s weapon of choice – Nick Duerden * i Paper *A wonderful portrait of an age, and of a writer – RORY STEWART, author of Politics on the EdgeUtterly fascinating – DAVID KYNASTON, author of A Northern WindShot through with the kind of depth and detail that can only come from a masterful writer finally turning his pen to his own life. Fresh, wise and finely-wrought – ALICE WINN, author of In MemoriamAs charming and funny in schoolboy episodes as he is thought-provoking in the darker environs of mental health, Sebastian Faulks is always resonant, civilised and sane – MARK KNOPFLEREntertaining … It ends with a beautiful tribute to his father, a modest, genuine war hero * The Times *Faulks is the benchmark of living novelists, the best of that generation, and still burning brightly – Adam Rutherford * The Week *From schooldays and Fleet Street to the publication of Birdsong and beyond, Faulks reflects on the experiences that shaped him as a writer in this warm and insightful memoir. Rich in literary and cultural history, it also offers a fascinating portrait of post-war Britain. * i Paper *

Sebastian Faulks has written nineteen books. His works A Week in December and The Fatal Englishman both reached number one on The Sunday Times bestseller lists.

He is best known for Birdsong, which is part of his acclaimed French trilogy, and Human Traces, the first novel in his ongoing Austrian trilogy.

Prior to his career as a novelist, Faulks worked as a journalist for national newspapers. He has also written screenplays and has made occasional appearances in small stage roles.

He currently lives in London.