I have recently finished reading, 'The Haunting' by Margaret Mahy, which won the Carnegie Medal years ago. Brilliant prose. As soon as I had finished, I ordered another of her books online. I know I wont be disappointed.
What authors have had a profound affect on you?
Oh yes Andrew, and Terry Pratchett of course.Who can resist such gems as 'The moon hung over the desert of Klatch like a huge ball of rock..." Class.
Terry Pratchett is the best, no argument. I have read everything he has written and he is my biggest inspiration.
I had to illustrate Russell Hoban's 'The Mouse and his Child' at Art College which lead me to read his 'Riddley Walker', a vision of life after a nuclear war where relics of old religions and government have combined with a Punch and Judy type puppet show. It was a simplistic view of the world which caught my imagination and the almost mystical reverence given to what we would call the ordinary, all presented in an equally fragmented English language. Still great.