I was sorry to hear that Phil Rickman died on 29 October at the age of 74. He was a writer whose work straddled the mystery and supernatural genres. Although born in Lancashire, he lived in Wales for most of his life and he had a great affinity with the country. He wrote three books under the name Will Kingdom, and two as Thom Madley, but he is best-known for the novels he wrote under his own name which featured Merrily Watkins.
I didn't know Phil well, but on my few encounters with him I found him extremely pleasant. Our first connection came when he interviewed me a couple of times on Radio Wales about the Lake District Mysteries. Landscape interested him and he evoked it well in his own work. He was a good broadcaster and a very capable interviewer. We finally met in person fifteen years ago, when we both took part in an enjoyable event held in a terrific historic setting - Ludlow Castle.
On that occasion Phil revealed that he was in talks with regard to the televising of the Merrily books, although such is the nature of the TV world that six more years were to pass before Merrily finally reached the screen. A year or so later, he was involved with the CWA annual conference when it was held on his 'patch' in Abergavenny. A fun weekend, as I recall.
Merrily, a female priest who is an exorcist, was played on television by Anna Maxwell Martin in a three-parter called Midwinter of the Spirit. The cast also included David Threlfall and Siobhan Finneran. I enjoyed watching it, but for whatever reason, Merrily did not become a fixture on the screen. On Phil's website, there are some comments which give clues to his dissatisfaction - he regarded himself first and foremost as a crime writer rather than a horror writer and he saw the Merrily books as crime stories, albeit seen from the perspective of an exorcist. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he felt that the TV version wasn't fully in tune with the novel on which it was based. But as he said, he couldn't complain, and he continued to write quietly accomplished fiction that was both polished and very readable.
9 comments:
I very much enjoyed the Merrily Watkins tales! Haven't read any in quite a while . I renew my acquaintance with the author. Sorry he died relatively young!
I very much enjoyed the Merrily Watkins tales ! Sorry the author died at a relatively young age
Seemed like a nice chap. He got back within 20 minutes of my partner's contacting him by email, which is more than most writers will do, especially two years after a wipe-out stroke. We revere his novels, except the John Dee ones (don't care for historical fiction, 'As Meat Loves Salt' apart) and the last Merrily: he was ill and Jane had been a teenager far too long. They say a lot abt provincial Britain while being funny and filled with top dialogue. Am rereading the lot - slowly, now he's silent.
Thanks, Jonathan. Enjoy your re-reading.
I was so sad to hear that Phil had passed. I came to his writing about 8 years ago and I've devoured the lot..re reading stuff whilst waiting for the new books. His characters are utterly believable and sadly the lady book will now be sometime in 2025. I emailed him a couple of years ago.. about an out of print book, derailing and incident on the Welsh border. He got back to me the same day,giving lots of extra information. Lovely man.. journey well Phil
Thanks, Anon.
I only just saw that Phil Rickman has died. My email to him went unanswered as we normally corresponded at Christmas time. In fact I still have the photos he’d send of his home’s seasonal decorations. He was a kind, intelligent and accomplished writer whose work never truly achieved the financial success it deserved. The mismanaged TV adaptation of his Merilee Watkins novel disappointed him and those books never went on to become a series because of the “tick-box” changes made to central characters. There was also a misunderstanding of those elements that accounted for his work’s success, by the production company who filmed his book. Plagued by ill health in the last few years, Phil still struggled to keep writing but was very aware that his powers were in decline. His last book, though filled with clever themes, didn’t quite work and its negative reviews from his fans hit him hard. I truly hoped a recovery in his health was on the way but now I see that was not to be the case. To say he is much missed would be an understatement. Phil’s talent was unique and his generous humanity, inspiring.
Thanks, Anon. Sorry to hear that Phil's health affected his last books but I very much agree that he was an accomplished writer.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Phil, and it was by luck that I heard him on his radio show - Phil the Shelf - when visiting a friend in Wales. But my, what a delight his books were, and even if I never met Phil I at least had the good fortune to meet his characters in his books. I remember discovering him via Crybee (republished as Curfew) and being struck by his terrific dialogue and easy, rhythmic prose. Though he didn't like being marketed as a horror writer, his early ghost-filled books are, to my mind, his best works. Perhaps his last book, written after the crippling stroke, is best seen as a triumph of his will, rather than to be judged on its literary merits. Let's celebrate and remember his best work, and the man himself.
Post a Comment