On tour: Meet the author André Leslie
André Leslie, an expat Australian who moved to Germany in 2005, is visiting Australia in December. His first book Batting for Berlin: How One Aussie Expat Took on the German Nation … and Won! (Finch Publishing, December) is about how he became a member of the German cricket team.
What would you put on a shelf-talker for your book?
The tale of one man’s quest to love his new adopted homeland, while his team of nerdy expat friends try to win one of the world’s smallest and most meaningless national cricket championships.
What is the silliest question you’ve ever been asked on a book tour?
Since I have never been asked to go on a book tour, I’m yet to be asked any questions at all. But, if I did a tour here in Germany, someone would be sure to ask: ‘Cricket—that’s the sport with the horses isn’t it?’ They can never quite get their head around the sport.
And the most profound?
I’d like to think that nobody would ever ask profound questions at an event for Batting for Berlin. It’s just meant to be a fun and light-hearted look at life in a very serious country.
What are you reading right now?
I am reading a German translation of Kenneth Cook’s Wake in Fright (Text). I often do this to keep my language skills up. The book makes me a bit homesick and is a real page-turner.
What was the last book you read and loved?
I was very impressed by The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid (Penguin). The style in which the author writes is unique and the issues addressed in the book regarding the ‘war on terror’ are relevant to all of us.
What was the defining book of your childhood?
Like many Australian kids I was forced to read tonnes of classics in school, most of which I actually really enjoyed. I suppose The Great Gatsby has stuck with me the longest. I continue to watch theatre and movie versions of this story time and time again.
Which is your favourite bookstore?
Dussmann, the ‘culture shopping house’, right in the middle of Berlin. It’s not only got a showy name, it’s a great place to relax. Four levels of books, a huge music selection and, most importantly in Berlin, excellent central heating.
Who would you like to challenge to a literary spat?
I don’t really do literary spats. I don’t think I’m well enough informed, to be honest.
Facebook or Twitter?
My day job is working as a journalist, so Twitter is an important source of news for me and a good way for me to practise brevity. Facebook, in contrast, just seems to be a horrible self-promotion fest of who has the best wedding, flashiest car or cutest family life. I left Facebook a while back after one of my friends ‘checked in’ at our local Aldi supermarket and it showed up on my timeline. I just couldn’t take it anymore.
If I were a literary character I’d be …
Santiago, the travelling shepherd boy in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist (HarperCollins). I would love to experience the cultures he visits up close. The idea of a physical journey being a learning experience is also something I can identify with.
In 50 years’ time books will be …
Still being used to prop up really wobbly tables. You can’t do that with an ereader! Seriously, though: I’m certainly not going to give up on books and just about everyone I speak to about this feels the same way. So there’ll be a few buyers out there at least.
What’s your favourite thing about being a writer?
The best thing about being a writer is being able to say to girls at parties that you are a writer. Or maybe it’s the chance to escape from everyday life for a while and get creative. It’s a tough choice.
Tags: ontour
Category: Features
