WHILE Jersey is fast developing a reputation as an international finance centre, it is also firmly putting itself on the map for its literary and cultural prowess.
Writers and artists who were born, raised or are based in the Island have lately been dominating the best-sellers charts, most-watched lists and awards ceremonies.
Local literary figures such as Sophie Cousens and Peter James have hailed the current era, filled with creative talent, as an exciting time, somewhat of a local cultural renaissance – bringing hope that their successes filter down to younger generations.
And as the Jersey Festival of Words continues this week, with special guests such as Michael Rosen, John Nettles and Kathy Lette all visiting to share their wisdom, the JEP spoke to several writers who are bringing the spotlight of success to these shores.
Mr James was able to fit in a conversation while en route to a full day of launch events and promotional activities for One Of Us Is Dead, his latest instalment in the number-one bestselling, multi-million-copy-selling Roy Grace series, which hit shelves yesterday.
The TV adaptation of the series, starring John Simm, has been one of the most-watched UK freeview shows for the past three weeks, beating strongholds such as the Antiques Roadshow. And Queen Camilla has declared that Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is her favourite fictional detective.
“Jersey already has an A-list literary heritage, and it’s fantastic now to see a lively, thriving writing and arts scene here,” Mr James said.
He added: “The Island has a strong dominance within the finance sector but the arts are very important too. It’s a really interesting time for local writers.”
Mr James, who decided to relocate to the Island six years ago after falling in love with it, added: “I find the sheer beauty and calm of the Island wonderful, and I write much better here than I did in England. I find it very inspirational here, and stand by that it’s the best-kept secret of the British Isles and a great place to be an artist, writer, musician.”
He added that the Festival of Words was a “fantastic event” that managed to draw in “big names” every year, which he said was “great for the Island”.
Mr James also said that he hoped his career would have “knock-on effects” on young people in Jersey.
Ms Cousens – a former producer at ArtHouse Jersey who has lived here for over a decade – previously told the JEP that she hoped a streaming service such as Netflix would pick up the adaptation of her bestselling book This Time Next Year, which she has scripted.
That dream became a reality and the film, starring Sophie Cookson (Kingsman: The Secret Service), Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris) and Golda Rosheuvel (Bridgerton), was released on the platform last Friday.
Over the weekend, it shot to number five, and then number two, on the most-watched films on the platform in the UK.
Ms Cousens said it had been “wonderful” to see the film have “such an incredible reception on Netflix”.
“As autumn sets in, I think people want feel-good romcoms to cosy up with and I’m thrilled to see so many people choosing my little film,” she said.
“It’s fantastic to see Jersey talent being recognised on the wider stage and to know that there are so many creatives living and thriving in our island.”
Another screenwriter, Will Smith, an Old Victorian raised in the Island, recently took home the Emmy Award for “Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series” at a prestigious ceremony in LA.
He is the executive producer and writer of Slow Horses, an adaptation of Mick Herron’s spy novels starring Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden which has become a huge hit with viewers and universally acclaimed by critics.
Also warmly received by critics was Simon Boas’s posthumously published work entitled A Beginner’s Guide to Dying.
Currently sitting at number nine on Amazon’s most-sold books of the week, it also featured in the Times bestseller charts and other national newspapers upon its release this month.
Aurélie Boas, widow of Mr Boas, a former Jersey Overseas Aid chief executive who died from throat cancer on 15 July at the age of 47, has spoken to the Sunday Times about his decision to spend his final months developing several articles written for the JEP into a book.
