Category:S J Hardman Lea

Simon Hardman Lea writes the novel series The Lost Intensities, a sequence set in and around the First War. He says, however, that he doesn't write war stories as such, but stories about how men and women behave - heroically, tragically, or malevolently – when caught up in the drama of wartime.

His aim is to straddle the usual conventions of the genres of historical and literary fiction, with books that are entertaining and provide insight into the authentic mood of the time.

His inspiration, and his favourite novel ever – if it's possible to pick one – is Mary Renault's The King Must Die. Why that novel? Because it has the three-dimensional combination of a wonderfully gripping and well-written story, convincing and sympathetic characters, and – most precious of all - it gives readers an utterly convincing immersion in a world long gone. Is that a form of literary virtual reality?

Whatever we call it, if his own fiction should ever get near that standard, he says he'll be a very happy writer indeed.

The first novel of The Lost Intensities – The Sins of Soldiers – was published in 2016, with its sequel - The Sorrow of Nurses – due to be released in April 2017.