William Boyd

I find William Boyd to be a master of the "human condition" in his stories. He was born in Ghana to Scottish parents and lived in different parts of Africa during his childhood, which I think adds so much authenticity to the settings in his books. He’s incredibly versatile—he’s written everything from literary historical epics like Any Human Heart to actual James Bond novels (specifically Solo). He has a real talent for making his characters feel like they are living through the weight of history. Besides his novels, he is also an accomplished screenwriter who has worked on some very well-known film and TV projects.