Shifnal-born author James Christie to give talk at Shifnal Library

Author James Christie will visit the town of his birth on Wednesday 3 September 2014 to give a talk at Shifnal Library about his book, “Dear Miss Landau”.

James was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 2002 and discovered a talent for writing.  “Dear Miss Landau” documents the correspondence that blossomed between the author and Hollywood actress Juliet Landau, who played Druisilla in the cult TV series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”.  With the support of the National Autistic Society in Scotland, James took a solo road-trip across America to meet Juliet Landau on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.

He said he visited Shifnal recently and noticed it had a public library, which gave him the idea to do the talk.  Although he has been in Scotland since 1969, he says he is very fond of Shifnal and the surrounding area.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s programme “A Good Read”, the former managing director of Waterstones, Tim Coates, described “Dear Miss Landau” as “the best book I’ve read for ten years”.  He said it was “magical from beginning to end” and “beautifully accurate” about what it is like to be autistic.

Harriett Gilbert, presenter of “A Good Read”, added that seeing the world through James Christie’s eyes was “really riveting” because, unlike books such as “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time”, James’s autism was real, not merely a novelist’s ‘device’ – and “like many memoirs which purport to be accurate but turn out not to be so – “what you’re getting with Dear Miss Landau is the truth.”

The book was written with the full co-operation of Juliet Landau and is illustrated with photographs of her, as well as pictures from Christie’s road-trip.

The book is available from the library but you may have to request it now that interest in the author is growing.

Naomi Ward, Shifnal Library’s manager, said:

“We want to make the evening enjoyable and informal with the opportunity to chat, talk about books over a glass of wine and enjoy meeting an interesting author.  We are hoping for a good audience as this is something new for Shifnal which could lead to other author visits and book related events.”

Naomi has worked hard to stimulate interest in talking about books, having successfully started two new reading groups since she came to the library in June 2013.

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and culture, said:

“I am delighted James Christie is coming to Shifnal to talk about his novel, and encourage everyone to book a ticket.”

Tickets for the event are available from Shifnal Library, price £2 for members of Shropshire Libraries, £3 for non-members.  Price includes light refreshments.

Shifnal Library is on Broadway, Shifnal, TF11 8AZ, tel 01952 461018, email shifnal.library@shropshire.gov.uk, and follow on twitter @ShropLibraries.