Last night I was fortunate enough to attend a talk by Neil Gaiman -- well, more of an interview really, lead by a journalist from the Guardian -- where Mr. Gaiman entertained and delighted the audience for an hour of so. I had read that he was an accomplished speaker and reader of his own works, and the truth was borne out as he read an excerpt from Stardust, which, as a movie, goes on release in the UK this week. He was open, witty and armed with many humorous anecdotes.
I had arrived early at the theatre to pick up a ticket I had pre-ordered on the 'net. I was a tad confused when handed a professionally printed Hay Festival ticket, with the original event whited out and Neil Gaiman's name written over it in biro. A few minutes of careful examination revealed that it once lived as a ticket for a Gerry Adams lecture.
Now that would be a very surreal event ... The Hay Festival presents: A conversation between Neil Gaiman and Gerry Adams; one with a scruffy head of hair, the other with a scruffy beard. I can only imagine how that talk would go. I bet it would be mostly exceedingly funny.
After the talk there was a massive rush to the nearby Waterstones, where Mr. Gaiman signed books. Lots of books. Lots and lots of books. Some very, very heavy. Gaiman's events are typically attended by rabid Gaiman fans (I'm a big fan; I've read most of his books, though not in a very rabid way -- slightly frothing at the mouth, but not full-on rabies outbreak) and so most people brought loads of books, many with well over half a dozen titles (I only had three). Mr. Gaiman was talkative and genuinely happy to chat to those there, which did mean a long wait to get to him.
And when I did get there, I sort of said hello, gave him my books, thanked him profusely, shook his hand and then wandered off slightly star-struck.
As I said, it was a most pleasant and enjoyable evening.
