Renowned author Ian Rankin has opened up about the profound impact his mother’s death had on his life and career, revealing that her passing at a young age may have led him to create his iconic character, John Rebus.
In a recent interview with BBC Scotland News, Sir Ian shared that his mother, Isobel, fell ill shortly after he left home to attend the University of Edinburgh. Just 10 months later, she passed away without ever receiving a formal diagnosis. The loss of his mother at the tender age of 19 left a lasting mark on Rankin, influencing the dark and gritty themes present in his crime novels set in Edinburgh.
Rankin reminisced about his mother, describing her as a “lovely wee mum” who was a talented cook and a hard worker. He also shared that his father, Jim, passed away a decade after his mother, missing out on witnessing his son’s rise to literary fame.
Now 64 years old, Ian Rankin has sold over 35 million copies of his John Rebus series and is set to release his 25th book, “Midnight and Blue.” Despite his success, Rankin has no plans to retire, using his writing as a way to navigate and understand the complexities of the world.
The upcoming installment in the Rebus series sees the beloved detective convicted and sent to Saughton Prison, a storyline that Rankin believes is one of his best yet. He credits his motivation and drive to his working-class background, striving to prove his worth through his writing.
While reflecting on the future of literature and the rise of artificial intelligence, Rankin expressed his disdain for the idea of AI writing books, emphasizing the uniqueness and creativity of the human mind.
As he continues to enjoy his weekly visits to Edinburgh’s Oxford Bar, Rankin dreams of one day making it onto former President Obama’s reading list, hoping to further expand his reach and impact as an author.
