British author Jonathan Coe has expressed his unfulfilled ambition to write “simple and short novels,” speaking at the Il Libro Possibile literary festival. The festival, which recently concluded in Polignano a Mare, is now running in Vieste until July 26th. Coe was also featured at the festival’s inaugural international leg in London last March (11th-13th).
“Somehow, I never manage it,” Coe explained. “I start with one idea, it connects to another, and then another, and before I know it, I’ve written a 400-page novel. That’s how I’ll keep writing. It happens by chance, not by design.”
Discussing his latest work, *The Proof of My Innocence* (Feltrinelli), Coe noted its setting: “It’s not in London, or not entirely. It’s a bit outside, in the suburbs near Heathrow Airport. I wanted to get away from the capital and depict a different place. Everyone talks about London; it can become a bit boring. I wanted to tell a story set in a different area outside London.”
When asked about an Italian connection in the book, specifically Venice, Coe confirmed: “Two years ago, I spent a few weeks in Venice for a university post. As a tribute to honour Venice, I decided to include it multiple times. In fact, the mystery’s solution actually unfolds there.”
Coe added that while he has visited Puglia before, this is his first time in Vieste: “I’ve obviously been deeply struck by the beauty of this city and everything surrounding it. I sincerely hope there will soon be a reason to come back.”