The last resort: Family chaos made me a best-selling author

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Linwood Barclay grew up in Canada, obsessed with TV shows like The Man from Uncle and Columbo. His father, an award-winning commercial artist in the advertising world, taught him to type aged 12 so that he could write fan fiction based on his heroes. But when the family moved from Toronto to Ontario to run a caravan park and fishing camp, Linwood found himself increasingly dragged into his parents' difficult marriage. Five years later, when Linwood's father was dying of cancer, he asked Linwood to "take care of things", which meant not only running the family business but also supporting his brother through mental illness and dealing with his mother's controlling ways. Linwood talks to Asya Fouks about how he found a way out, became an author, and sold seven million books. Linwood Barclay’s latest book is called Whistle. Cambodia's biggest waste dump was home to thousands of children, picking through rubbish to sell. From this bleak wasteland emerged a band, Doch Chkae - young musicians who grew up in extreme poverty, turning their anger into heavy metal music. Harry Graham speaks to two of the band members, Sok Vichey and Ouch Theara. We also hear from one of the charity workers who spotted their talent for metal music, Timon Seibel, from Moms Against Poverty. (First broadcast November 24 2019) Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: Hetal Bapodra and Laura Thomas Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707 (Photo: Linwood Barclay, 16, sits bare chested at the wheel of a car. He is white with blonde hair. Credit: Courtesy Linwood Barclay.)