Ranulph Moore

Ranulph Moore describes himself as an explorer, who became a writer to purge himself of all the past adventures that were crowding his life in the present. He says he has seen it all, in a life spent observing the lives of others.

He was born in Scotland, which gave him his great appreciation for malt. The rest of his time there can be glossed over, without losing a hint of his essence or a moment’s sleep. He certainly wouldn’t.

He will travel anywhere – as long as he can make a decent cup of tea and launder a linen jacket. He describes Africa as one of his great loves. He has spent time in every country on the continent.

If he can’t find a good champagne, he has been known to resort to gin. He has homes in Paris, Jura and Cape Town. At present, he lives in Madagascar, where he is researching his latest book.

Allaboutlove couldn’t resist asking the elusive Ranulph a few questions when he breezed through town.

What appeals to you about Africa?
It calls to the original in me. I love its unpredictability. It draws forth the primordial contrasts of yearning, hunger and desire. And of course, I can’t resist the warmth of its women.

What inspired you to write The Curse of the Blood Diamond?
Africa is a place of legend. It is as rich in stories as it is in minerals. It inspires as many passions and desires as it does heartbreak and cruelty. All I did was tap my own love of adventure and the continent’s rich store of myth and magic.

You write one part of the story in the voice of a woman. How were you able to do that?
Any man who sees himself as an admirer of women should be ashamed if he isn’t able to place himself in a woman’s shoes.

Tell me about the greatest love of your life.
Person or place?

Person…
Every woman I’ve ever known has taught me about love, so every one of them is an aspect of my great love.

And place?
There is a cleft in the slopes of Mount Ngorongoro …

And? The earth moved…?
Well, it is a volcano … but then again, if I remember rightly, I was with Naomi at the time.

Tell us about your upbringing.
Have I ever mentioned my favourite adage? Never look back.

Why have you settled in Madagascar?
There is something ineffably charming about seven species of baobab.

Read the first chapter of Blood Diamond.