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Hello, today is Mrs Gaskill Misunderstood, a new book recast her as a romantic heroine worthy

of one of her novels. And we consider why mute characters can speak volumes to readers.

Plus, marking a birthday milestone with a literary challenge.

A listener checks into our reading clinic with a science fiction conundrum.

But first, the best-selling author of The Boy in the Stripe Pajamas,

John Boyne, composer of novels for both adults and children,

whose latest casts a less than

saluborous light on the literary world. A ladder to the sky starts out as a faintly familiar

tale of frustrated elderly man, in this case a writer Eric, falling for a young waiter in a Berlin

bar. But Morris Swift is no ordinary eye candy. He's an aspiring writer,

who makes his name by using his mentor's deepest secret for his debut novel. His ambition

knows no bounds, and as we progress through the tale, his victims multiply.

Boyne casts a brilliantly satirical eye on the world of literary talent, plagiarism

and rampant egos in his page-turning expose of the dark side of storytelling. Here's a taste.

And you, asked Maris, looking up again, how do you do it? Your stories are always so original.

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