Ebenezer Le Page publisher wants book turned into a film

The star has been approached by the man responsible for the book’s publication, Edward Chaney, who had the idea to write to Sir Ken after seeing his new film Belfast and reading a story in the Guernsey Press about one of the island’s most famous sons, the late actor Roy Dotrice.

He played Ebenezer in a radio series and also in The Islander, a theatrical version of the story written by US playwright Anthony Wilkinson, which was staged at the Theatre Royal, Lincolnshire, in 2002.

Gadoc did its own stage take on the book locally in a version adapted by Joyce Cook.

Mr Chaney was a student when he got to know reclusive author Gerald Basil Edwards when he was living near Weymouth.

Mr Edwards failed to have his novel published during his lifetime and entrusted the manuscript to Mr Chaney on his death in 1976.

It was five years later that The Book of Ebenezer Le Page finally appeared in print and has since become heralded by many as a classic of modern literature.

As well as radio and stage, there has long been talk of a film adaptation. There was some local interest, too, and Mr Chaney said he remembered ‘a very glamorous dinner’ with the Guernsey Tourist Board which ultimately did not press ahead with any investment.

‘They ended up investing in Guernsey International Powerboat Week instead,’ he said.

A script was written locally, but never finished. But Mr Chaney said he thought that it was too comedic and in his opinion the book needs to be treated along similar lines to DH Lawrence’s works and the eventual films they became. He owns the film rights to the book and has optioned them to various people over the years, but these last for only a couple of years before they revert to him if no progress has been made.

Among those to have optioned the story are Tom Hulce, the actor who played Mozart in Amadeus, and producer Marc Samuelson, who was allied with former Monty Python star Michael Palin.

Mr Palin was a big fan of the novel, said Mr Chaney, and he has copied the actor in on his letter to Sir Ken.

‘I feel that my role is constantly to remind people of the greatness of the novel,’ he said.

‘It could be a very long-term investment for Guernsey. It could put this novel up with Victor Hugo, DH Lawrence and all.

‘It maybe needs a senior figure in Guernsey to encourage it as well.’

Mr Chaney is planning a visit to Guernsey this summer, when he will be in the island to take part in the Guernsey Literary Festival.

As well as being interviewed on stage, he will be present at the launch of a new illustrated version of his friend’s classic novel.