Long Melford author releases novel on St Edmund

On the thousand year anniversary of the Abbey of St Edmund, one Suffolk man has written a comedy book about the saint himself.

Simon Edge, 55, from Long Melford, is known for books which tend to combine historical themes with comedy and has released Anyone for Edmund, a book splicing the ancient and modern worlds – it pokes fun at Westminster culture, celebrates the cult of St Edmund and follows a dig team trying to unearth his remains in Bury St Edmunds.

The book is based in the present day – something Simon said he did to make the book as accessible as possible, and because of the challenge of researching someone who died so long ago.

“What I have discovered that works and I like to do, is to take a historical subject which interests me, and then try and create something a little bit unexpected and entertaining out of it,” he said.

He added: “Clearly in this part of the world, St Edmund is of major historical and cultural importance and I started to read into him, and then discovered there wasn’t a lot to learn.”

The book’s release was supposed to coincide with an archaeological survey this year to exhume St Edmund’s body, however it was cancelled due to coronavirus – despite this, Simon hopes the release of the book can be one positive to take from an otherwise frustrating year for many.

The book has so far received glowing reviews, costs £8.99 and can be bought online at: http://eye-books.com/