Some old odd bits and pieces: old interviews and journalism
Five Books …
… is a lovely website, full of interviews with interesting people about their five favourite books on a subject relevant to their own work. There’s all sorts up here, not just brilliant novelists, but mathematicians, historians, scientists and more – do check it out! I spent a lovely year or so doing some interviews for them – here they are.
Margaret Drabble on ageing (1 December 2016) The mighty author shares her advice on what to read to help face getting old – comes complete with some surprising practical tips!
Ayelet Gundar-Goshen on the best contemporary Israeli fiction (26 September 2016) What an inspiring and fascinating author! I loved hearing her talk about Israeli fiction, and how tied up it is with the country’s politics.
Deborah Levy on motherhood in literature (18 May 2016) This has made me long to read Colette, and also sparked a lovely morning re-reading To the Lighthouse.
Tracy Chevalier on her favourite fictional trees (11 March 2016) Including the wonderful folky wych-elm in Howards End, and the powerful horse chestnut at Thornfield in Jane Eyre.
Chigozie Obioma on boyhood and growing up (4 March 2016) The author of the brilliant Booker-shortlisted The Fishermen, on his favourite coming-of-age novels.
A couple of pieces for The Economist’s 1843 magazine:
We wish you a murderous Christmas 21st December 2015
Why the festive time is best for a murder mystery.
Ali Smith’s call to arms 9th November 2015
The prize-winning author fights to save libraries with her new collection of short stories.
Some old reviews for The Times Literary Supplement:
If you click on the scans below and then click again, they should get bigger!
Cockfosters by Helen Simpson – 4 March 2016
The House by the Lake by Thomas Harding – 18 December 2015
At Hawthorn Time by Melissa Harrison – 3rd July 2015
The Home-Maker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher – 14th November 2014
The Unknown Unknown by Mark Forsyth – 8th August 2014
Her by Harriet Lane – 6 June 2014
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