Fettes in conversation with author Alex Starritt

Fettes in conversation with award winning author Alex Starritt (Mo 2001-2004)

Parents and Old Fettesians had the opportunity to join our very own Rob Harrison in the Library for a fascinating ‘Fettes in conversation’ event with Old Fettesian, Author, Alex Starritt. This was an opportunity to hear about Alex’s writing journey. His first novel, The Beast was Spectator Book of the Year. His second book, We Germans, won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, was shortlisted for the Prix Femina and Prix Medicis, and was translated into numerous languages. His new novel, Drayton and Mackenzie is on the long list for the FT's business book of the year prize, the first novel on the list for 15 years.

Rob Harrison (Staff 1991-present) utilised his own love of literature and language as a long standing English teacher. He talks skilfully with Alex about writing, his character inspiration, research, and the influences of his novels. We hear about Alex’s writing style, his editing process and storylines from his three very different books. Did working at the Daily Mail influence writing The Beast? Did having German grandparents encourage his writing of We Germans? And did being of high academic intelligence and studying at Oxford sew the seeds of Drayton & Mackenzie? The audience thoroughly enjoyed this engaging event and were swiftly adding Alex’s books to their must read list.

After Fettes, Alex studied History and German at Somerville College, Oxford, from 2004-2008. He has worked as a literary translator from German – his translations include Stefan Zweig's A Chess Story, Arthur Schnitzler's Late Fame and a selection of Kafka's short stories, The Unhappiness of Being a Single Man. Alex has also worked at newspapers and magazines, and been on the founding team of two companies: Apolitical, a knowledge platform for civil servants that was named one of the world's most innovative companies in 2018, and Sunday Briefing, which provides insights into international politics and business for a range of corporations, investment funds and government agencies.