Filed under The Independent

‘I seem to have escaped that particular whipping’: Ian McEwan on sensitivity readers, Succession, and his next novel

‘I seem to have escaped that particular whipping’: Ian McEwan on sensitivity readers, Succession, and his next novel

As he prepares for a special performance with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Booker Prize-winning novelist talks about his love of classical music, the trouble with the monarchy, and why he’s more concerned about Putin than edits to Roald Dahl. (The Independent) Continue reading

George Saunders: ‘This capitalism thing has got limits’

George Saunders: ‘This capitalism thing has got limits’

After winning the Booker Prize for debut novel ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’, the author returns to the short-story form with new collection ‘Liberation Day’. He talks to me about his fascination with Custer’s Last Stand, what John Steinbeck taught him about socialism and learning to embrace uncertainty. (The Independent) Continue reading

Shantaram: The incredible true story behind the outlaw epic

Shantaram: The incredible true story behind the outlaw epic

Former bank robber Gregory David Roberts escaped from an Australian prison in 1980 and fled to Mumbai where he worked as a doctor in the slums and became embroiled with the Indian mafia. He speaks to me about life on the run, turning his experiences into a bestselling novel and being played by Charlie Hunnam in the new Apple+ series. (The Independent) Continue reading

Jimmy Cliff: ‘I’m still chasing that Oscar!’

Jimmy Cliff: ‘I’m still chasing that Oscar!’

It’s been 50 years since the reggae pioneer helped bring Jamaican culture to the world with his starring role in ‘The Harder They Come’. He talks to me about new album ‘Refugees’, convincing Cat Stevens to let him record ‘Wild World’ and why he’s still singing ‘rude songs’ at 78. (The Independent) Continue reading