Ian Rankin, the mind behind the beloved Rebus series, reveals a poignant chapter of his life that led to the creation of his iconic character.
The death of his mother when he was just 19 drastically influenced Rankin’s writing, steering him towards the dark, intricate tales he’s known for today.
Early Life and the Devastating Loss
Ian Rankin, a celebrated author known for his Rebus novels, experienced a profound tragedy at 19. Just two weeks after leaving his family home in Fife to study at the University of Edinburgh, his mother, Isobel, fell ill. Sadly, she passed away 10 months later without a formal diagnosis. This period marked the beginning of Rankin’s journey towards writing dark, police novels based in Edinburgh.
Coping Through Writing
While at university, Rankin divided his time between Edinburgh and his hometown, Cardenden. He often travelled back to see his mother deteriorate. During this tumultuous period, Rankin adopted a ‘bohemian’ lifestyle, smoking Gauloises cigarettes and reciting his own poetry. Writing became a coping mechanism to deal with his grief. As he mentioned, ‘Humanity seems a wee bit bleak to you when that sort of stuff happens… you think where is God in all this, nowhere to be seen.’
Reflections on Family
Rankin fondly remembers his mother as a ‘lovely wee mum’ who was a great cook. She grew up in Bradford and worked in a school canteen and a chicken factory. Rankin’s father, Jim, passed away ten years after Isobel. Though Jim witnessed Ian become a published author, he did not live to see his son’s immense success. These family memories continue to influence Rankin’s writing and personal life.
Rise to Success
At 64, Ian Rankin has achieved immense success, selling over 35 million copies of his John Rebus series. Despite his success, he has no plans to retire. Rankin finds joy and purpose in writing, stating, ‘When it’s going well, it’s really good fun.’ His latest book, ‘Midnight and Blue,’ continues to enthral readers. Rebus’s journey takes a new twist with his conviction and sentencing to Saughton Prison.
Creation and Evolution of Rebus
Rankin sees his latest novel, ‘Midnight and Blue,’ as one of his best yet. The storyline picks up where his previous book, ‘A Heart Full of Headstones,’ left off. Fans were eager to know what happened next. Rankin obliges by exploring Rebus’s life in Edinburgh Prison, surrounded by individuals who despise him for being an ex-cop. His commitment to authenticity led him to spend a day in the real-life Saughton Prison as part of his research.
Recognition and Challenges
Rankin’s accomplishments include his novels being translated into 36 languages and receiving a knighthood for his services to literature and charity. Despite these honours, he acknowledges that writing does not get easier with time. Rankin says, ‘I was under the impression the more you wrote, the easier it would be, but it seems to get harder as you get older.’ This sentiment resonates with many seasoned writers facing similar hurdles.
Views on AI in Literature
Rankin is vocal about his disdain for artificial intelligence in creative fields. He believes AI-generated books lack the depth and originality of human-authored works. Rankin describes an AI book written in his style as ‘rubbish,’ criticising its lack of creativity. He argues, ‘Letting AI do everything for us is going to make us less extraordinary.’ This perspective highlights a broader concern within the literary community about preserving human creativity.
Ian Rankin continues to enthral the literary world with his compelling narratives and complex characters.
Despite personal losses and industry challenges, his dedication to storytelling remains unwavering, ensuring his legacy in crime fiction endures.
