Sebastian Faulks visits HMP Wandsworth
PRG supports three reading groups at Wandsworth and with help from one of our brilliant volunteers, the library recently hosted Sebastian Faulks. Hannah Pickering, Senior Library Assistant at the prison, celebrates the visit.
HMP Wandsworth library were delighted to welcome Sebastian Faulks, a respected and awarded British author famous for his historical fiction novels which are set in France, such as Birdsong and Charlotte Gray.
The event was centred around one of his latest novels, The Seventh Son, originally published in 2023. A novel that blends prehistoric and futuristic themes, a little out of Sebastian’s comfort zone as an author best known for his historical and wartime narratives. This gripping, futuristic story is about a secret IVF experiment at the mysterious Parn Institute, where science, ambition and ethics collide with world-changing consequences.
Sebastian discussed the challenges he faced stepping into a genre he rarely explores while navigating his way around unfamiliar territory. Sebastian had plenty of scientific research to do. He reached out to embryologists, geneticists, and anthropologists to ensure he was creating a truly authentic piece of writing. Although it is not his first time diving into sci-fi elements, he made it quite clear he never intended it to be anything like your typical sci-fi novel (no alien invasions or zombie apocalypses in this one), hence why the future in this book only has subtle developments.
The story is set in the not-so-near future of 2030. Sebastian outlined why he chose this timeline, explaining that it was to keep the story realistic and credible. He went into detail about the characters of the book as well, fully explaining to the prisoners the premise of the book and the many layers behind it. He shared valuable writing tips, emphasising the importance of making characters multifaceted beings, full of quirks and contradictions.
The discussion naturally led to deeper questions about the uncertainties of scientific advancement, how far we should go, and at what cost. Some conclusions were made on how society is still afraid of the unknown when it comes to science, humans still have the same uncertainties that have always been present parallel to the same old anxieties of the past.
The prisoners found themselves reflecting on thought-provoking questions on morality, humanity and ultimately what defines us as human beings.
Each participant left with a signed copy of the book, and many had the chance to ask Sebastian their own questions.
A very successful, enjoyable event full of questions maybe none of us really know the answers to and some heavy reflections, new perspectives, and a lot to think about.
Hannah Pickering, Senior Library Assistant, HMP Wandsworth