A History of the World in 10½ Chapters is a novel by Julian Barnes published in 1989. It is a collection of short stories in different styles; however, at some points they echo each other and have subtle connection points. Most are fictional but some are historical.
"The Survivor" is the fourth story in this novel. It is set in a world in which the Chernobyl disaster was "the first big accident" with the expected next step being nuclear attack. The main character in the story is a woman who is so disillusioned with her life, she feels that the only way to escape and manage to survive the 'end of the world' is to take to the seas. Which she does with food rations and two cats. The story is mainly consisted of her struggle to survive a nuclear holocaust and we are informed of this through a series of lucid dreams and rants.
"Frequently brilliant, funny, thoughtful, iconoclastic and a delight to read." -- Salman Rushdie, Observer
It is no doubt that this great story would make an equally great film. So with that said I have great pleasure in revealing that I have now received the signed contracts from Julian and his agent to start work doing just that. The plan is to start treatments as soon as possible (now) with a view to completing principal photography in September 2010.
It is certainly a daunting task ahead of me for the next year and all I keep hearing in my ears is how Steven Spielberg said he never wanted to film on water EVER again after the nightmare it caused on 'Jaws'. Add animals (two cats) to the mix and we have a recipe for a very frustrating shoot. - But if you don't stretch yourself, try new ideas and push your boundaries, then how will you ever improve as a film maker?
You can view more of Julian Barnes' work here at his official website http://www.julianbarnes.com/
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