When Vikram Seth visited the rectory in Salisbury that had once been home to 17th-century metaphysical poet George Herbert, he loved it so much he ended up buying it. Having a "Zen-like attitude to colour", he wasn't entirely sure he could live with the rich red of the room he has dedicated to music – a pair of India tablas sit beside his piano – and to his interest in all things Chinese (rolled up in the room is an 8m scroll of Chinese calligraphy that he has to unfurl in a corridor). But the colour has stuck and must be conducive to creativity – it was in this room that he hit on the idea for his new book, The Rivered Earth.
Perched on top of his bookcases are three maquettes of ships bought in Mauritius; the two on the left are based on models of the Unicorn, the ship at the heart of one of Tintin and Captain Haddock's adventures. A huge Tintin fan, Seth feels that he's unlikely to go and see the new film: "I can't imagine having my comic-book image of him changed by a cineaste."
Further down is a family photograph showing his parents, brother, sister, maternal grandmother and himself gathered on a swing seat. The shelves are filled with vinyl ("Unfortunate, because I don't have a record player in the traditional sense") and musical scores, including a host of Lieder, which Seth loves. It was learning Lieder that provided a break from the intensity of writing A Suitable Boy; he is now at work on its sequel, describing himself as "in the wool-gathering stage".
On the floor sits a clay torso made by Seth himself, following a "sudden urge" to sculpt. It looks, he says with a touch of pride, "like the Terminator or something". Another sculpture, not made by him, sits on the piano, depicting Ganesh, the god of new beginnings and remover of obstacles; next to him is a small bronze mouse, representing his traditional vehicle. On the wall just behind is a portrait of Pushkin, "after reading whom I decided to put my economics dissertation aside and write The Golden Gate".
The Rivered Earth is published by Hamish Hamilton, £14.99
