The cult writer and author of Riddley Walker died yesterday, aged 86.
Hoban is famous for creating Frances, a young girl who appeared in the guise of a badger, in seven children’s books, such as Bedtime for Frances and A Birthday for Frances. In total he penned over 50 children’s books, illustrating many himself.
His most famous adult novel was Riddley Walker, which established his reputation as a profoundly original novelist. The science-fiction work, set 2,000 years in the future after a nuclear war has ended civilisation, is famous for its poetic representation of what language might sound like in a post-apocalyptic world.
In the clip below, Hoban discusses the use of rhymes and songs in Riddley Walker.
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