As the cracks appeared in the world financial markets in 2008 a book arrived that seemed to capture the hubris and excess of the players involved in what would become the Global Financial Crisis. Geraint Anderson's 'City Boy' was penned as a fictional story of one mans rise to the top of his game as a trader.
The story drew upon many of Anderson's own experiences at ABN Amro, Societe General and Commerzbank. The book struck a chord with the general public, particular given the timing of its release. It became somewhat of a must read for those trying to understand the culture within financial institutions that drove the world economies to the brink. City Boy is currently being adapted to a screenplay and there are plans to make a movie based on the book. I took the opportunity to catch up with Geraint Anderson and ask him how he is progressing.
IBR: So looking back on Cityboy, and its been six years now, how do you think the City culture has changed, if at all, and if it hasn’t changed why do you think it is that we seem paralysed to change it or should we change it at all?
Geraint Anderson: The City attracts greedy people (and psychopaths!) and then encourages them. You don't go there to improve the world or fulfil your artistic ambitions. Hence, short-termism, reckless gambling and skullduggery are the order of the day!
IBR: If it was put on you to deliver a three point plan to improve the financial system - what would those three points be?
Geraint Anderson: A stronger regulator, greater punishments for wrongdoing and greater accountability for bosses.
IBR: You have been working on the film adaptation of Cityboy recently, how are you finding that process?
Geraint Anderson: I'm loving it. It's great fun finding out about a whole new industry and writing a screenplay has been challenging yet rewarding.
IBR: What has been the biggest challenge when it comes to transferring the character arcs into ‘acts’ for a movie?
Geraint Anderson: Trying to be different, exciting and interesting when there are 1000's of films out there is hard. You have to use visual tricks to convey what could be pages of internal dialogue in a book and you have to simplify so that each scene has a purpose.
IBR: There is always difficulties compressing complicated characters into short timeframes, which character has presented the greatest difficulty?
Geraint Anderson: I wanted them all to be more complex than might otherwise happen in a film about banking. Making the protagonist, Steve Jones, sympathetic to the audience even though he becomes a complete tosser in Act 2 was tough.
IBR: The premise of the book was to shine a light on the murky world of finance in London’s Square mile however it seemed perhaps the overall presentation was somewhat sympathetic - do you miss that life?
Geraint Anderson: William Blake said that Milton was 'of the devil's party without knowing it' and whilst I don't even want to myself in the same paragraph as those two the accusation could equally be levelled at me! Of the 3000 or so emails I've had from readers most are from young men asking me to get them a job in the City. So, my supposed diatribe against greed, materialism etc was clearly not effective because I actually enjoyed the perks of the job, Michelin-starred restaurants, champagne, big bonuses etc, and this came across in my writing . Depressing really!
IBR: Your path to novelist is not exactly traditional (though what is I guess), you started as an anonymous columnist. When you look back at your career as a writer, the author three books now, what surprises you the most?
Geraint Anderson: The success of Cityboy (over 200,000 copies sold) was the biggest surprise. Mainly due to timing, it seemed to reach that tipping point where every magazine and newspaper had to mention it. Very lucky.
IBR: Do you have a writing process? are you a disciplined writer or do you only write when inspired?
Geraint Anderson: I have no process. Most of my writing has been puked out and when I can't sleep because ideas are running around my brain I know that's a good sign.
IBR: Are you a big consumer of business related and current affairs books or would we be surprised at your choice of reading material?
Geraint Anderson: I don't read enough now - two young kids puts paid to that! At the moment I'm reading film scripts to try and improve that part of my writing.
IBR: I wasn’t going to ask, but can’t resist - do you think there is another financial crisis on the horizon?
Geraint Anderson: I never make forecasts, especially about the future! If I were a betting man, they'll be a crisis of sorts in the next decade but nothing compared to what we've just experienced.
IBR: I read in an interview you were helping to build a school - could you share a little about that?
Geraint Anderson: I was involved in raising money for a school in Kenya and the project is progressing, albeit slowly.
Publications:
Geraint Anderson: (2008) Cityboy: Beer and Loathing in the Square Mile, Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7553-4616-5
Geraint Anderson: (2008) "Fifty Ways to Survive the Crunch",
Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 075531946
Geraint Anderson: (2011) "Just Business",
Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7553-8172-6
Geraint Anderson: (2012) "Payback Time",
Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7553-8175-0
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