Kurdo Baksi (2011 Event)

Stieg Larsson’s books have sold more than 20 million copies in 41 countries. But because they were published after his death, many have been left wondering about the true character of a man who was as passionate in his campaign against Swedish neo-Nazism as he was about writing. In this event, recorded live at the 2011 Edinburgh International Book Festival, Kurdo Baksi – a former colleague and the author of a new biography of Larsson – explains why the complex, dogmatic writer was ‘both a dream and a nightmare to work with’.

Loading the player... if your browser supports audio and video it should appear in a few moments.
Download MP3

Book Festival News

Celebrating the 2024 Book Festival Celebrating the 2024 Book Festival
Monday 26 August

Enjoying this event? You can help us produce more like it.

Donate

Share

Listen to more

Claire MacDonald - with John Dickie Claire MacDonald - with John Dickie Michael Frayn (2012 event) Michael Frayn (2012 event) The Man Booker-shortlisted and Whitbread-winning author of Headlong and Spies travelled to Edinburgh to discuss his latest novel… Diana Gabaldon (2014 event) Diana Gabaldon (2014 event) The Outlander books by Arizona-based author Diana Gabaldon have achieved sales figures that would make your eyes water. Little wonder that Doune Castle was recently besieged by fans keen to see the TV version being filmed. The latest instalment, Written… Margaret Atwood - event with Alice Munro Margaret Atwood - event with Alice Munro An extraordinary event from the 2007 Book Festival - an interview with two legendary, world-leading figures of Canadian writing, one on either side of the Atlantic. Margaret Atwood in Edinburgh interviews and chats to the great Alice Munro in Canada… Outriders: Mariana Enriquez & Kevin MacNeil (2017 event) Outriders: Mariana Enriquez & Kevin MacNeil (2017 event) As part of our project to explore the Americas, Scottish novelist Kevin MacNeil travelled around Argentina with journalist, novelist and short story writer Mariana Enriquez. Starting in Buenos Aires, the writers set off in search of lost voices, both… Terry Waite (2015 Event) Terry Waite (2015 Event) As special envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Terry Waite spent plenty of time not only in the company of Robert Runcie, but also his son James. Then, he was kidnapped in Beirut. Upon his release, Waite continued his charity work, befriended his… Andre Brink Andre Brink Hear from one of the most important voices coming out of South Africa in this 2005 event. Andre Brink discusses his new novel Praying Mantis, many years in the making and steeped in African magic and dreams… David Peace David Peace Before his 2009 event, David Peace discusses how and why he creates fiction from real-life incidents, looking at, amongst other writings, his Tokyo Trilogy and Red Riding Quartet… Lemn Sissay at the Edinburgh International Book Festival Lemn Sissay at the Edinburgh International Book Festival One of Britain's best loved poets, Lemn Sissay is a performer of rare passion. But growing up with foster families and in care homes, Sissay struggled with his identity. The discovery of his birth name and Ethiopian background is the catalyst for… Kevin Barry at the Edinburgh International Book Festival Kevin Barry at the Edinburgh International Book Festival In his early novels City of Bohane and Beatlebone as well as his short stories, Kevin Barry showed clear signs of his prodigious talent as a writer…