Summary

In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, bestselling German-Austrian author Daniel Kehlmann speaks to host Elena Lappin about his latest novel, The Director, which explores the life and work of Austrian director G.W. Pabst during the Nazi regime. Kehlmann delves into the complexities of being a director, the moral implications of artistic choices under totalitarianism, and the challenges of using real historical figures in fiction. He reflects on his cultural identity, the influence of iconic actresses like Louise Brooks, and the importance of the author's voice in storytelling. The conversation also touches on the tragic story of Jakob, a character in his novel, and the dark side of human nature in literature.

THE DIRECTOR is published by riverrun, an imprint of Quercus (Hachette).

Daniel Kehlmann is also the author of MEASURING THE WORLD, TYLL, and other novels.

Keywords

Daniel Kehlmann, The Director, G.W. Pabst, historical fiction, totalitarianism, artistic compromise, cultural identity, novel writing, film direction, Louise Brooks,PG Woodehouse, Nazi regime, Hollywood, Austria. Germany

Takeaways

Daniel Kehlmann explores the complexities of being a director in film.

The role of a director is to create a collaborative illusion of reality.

Kehlmann's cultural background influences his writing and themes.

Novelists often draw from real historical figures to create compelling narratives.

The moral implications of artistic choices during totalitarian regimes are profound.

Everyday life under totalitarianism can lead to complicity in small ways.

Researching historical figures requires a balance of fact and creative interpretation.

Louise Brooks serves as a significant influence in Kelman's narrative.

The challenge of using real characters in fiction raises ethical questions.

Kelman emphasizes the importance of the author's voice in storytelling.

Sound bites

"I create a version of reality that I think is probable."

"I hope I would have done the right thing."

"I'm everywhere in my novel. I'm in the atmosphere."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Daniel Kelman and His Work

01:15 The Role of a Director in Film

03:52 Personal Geography and Cultural Identity

07:29 The Novelist's Approach to Themes

10:14 Resurrecting Historical Figures in Fiction

12:06 Exploring G.W. Pabst's Life and Choices

15:05 The Complicity of Everyday Life Under Totalitarianism

18:58 The Impact of Totalitarian Regimes on Artists

21:57 Researching Historical Characters

24:59 The Influence of Louise Brooks

29:01 The Dilemma of Using Real Characters

30:06 The Challenge of Fictionalizing History

32:02 Imagining Lost Films and Artistic Freedom

35:00 The Moral Complexity of Compromise

38:42 The Nature of Compromise in Art

41:59 The Role of Minor Characters

43:43 Finding the Author's Voice in Fiction

45:37 The Tragic Story of Jakob

50:21 The Artistic Process of a Director

54:47 The Author's Presence in the Narrative

59:37 Inserting Humor and Wit into Serious Themes

01:03:49 The Dark Side of Human Nature

01:07:19 The Author's Writing Process and Future Projects

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Notes:

Summary

In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, host Elena Lappin engages with acclaimed Irish novelist Colm Tóibín, discussing his latest work, Long Island, a sequel to Brooklyn. The conversation explores Tóibín's writing process, the significance of silence in dialogue, the evolution of recurring characters, and the interplay between personal experiences and historical contexts in his narratives. Tóibín reflects on the role of politics in personal stories and the complexities of human relationships, while also addressing the future of Irish literature and his current projects.

keywords

Colm Tóibín, Long Island, Brooklyn, Irish literature, writing process, silence in literature, character development, historical context, personal narratives, solitude in writing

takeaways

• Colm Tóibín's writing often reflects the complexities of human relationships.
• Silence plays a crucial role in Tóibín's narratives, allowing readers to fill in the gaps.
• The influence of film can reshape a writer's perspective on their characters.
• Tóibín emphasizes the importance of personal experience in crafting fiction.
• Recurring characters in Tóibín's work evolve over time, reflecting their journeys.
• Historical context enriches the narratives, providing depth to personal stories.
• Tóibín believes that the novel should focus on the human heart rather than political backdrops.
• The writing process involves both inspiration and meticulous editing.
• Tóibín's characters often experience solitude, which shapes their identities.
• The future of Irish literature is diverse, with each writer carving their own path.

titles

• Exploring the depths of Long Island and other titles by Colm Tóibín
• The Art of Silence in Literature

Sound Bites

• "He left silence."
• "You need to work blindly sometimes."
• '"John Banville is the genius among us"

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to Colm Tóibín and Long Island

02:34

The Impact of Brooklyn the film on writing Long Island

05:55

Silence and Dialogue in Writing

08:52

The Craft of Writing: Inspiration and Process

11:37

Recurring Characters and Their Evolution

14:47

Historical Context in Fiction

17:25

The Role of Politics in Personal Narratives

20:46

Writing About Real People and Events

23:24

The Complexity of Human Relationships

26:26

Exploring Solitude and Distance in Characters

29:37

The Influence of Personal Experience on Writing

32:17

The Future of Irish Literature

35:10

Current Projects and Future Aspirations

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Keywords

Sarah Moss, Ripeness, identity, memory, immigration, belonging, family, writing, creativity, genetics, love, women’s lives, parents, ballet

Summary

In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, host Elena Lapin converses with bestselling author Sarah Moss about her new novel, Ripeness. The discussion delves into themes of identity, memory, and the immigrant experience, as well as the dual perspectives of the protagonist, Edith, who navigates her life as both a teenager in 1960s Italy and an elderly woman in contemporary Ireland. Moss reflects on the complexities of family relationships, the nature of writing, and the impact of history on personal identity.

Takeaways

• Ripeness explores the theme of what it means to be a foreigner.
• The novel is structured around dual perspectives of the protagonist, Edith.
• Moss emphasizes the importance of memory in writing.
• Family dynamics play a crucial role in shaping identity.
• The book addresses the complexities of immigration and belonging.
• Moss reflects on the historical context of her characters' lives.
• The narrative intertwines personal stories with broader social issues.
• Moss discusses the challenges of writing about trauma and recovery.
• The concept of 'ripeness' relates to maturity and timing in life.
• Moss believes in the importance of caring about the world in writing.
• 
  

Novelist Sarah Moss joins host Elena Lappin to discuss her extraordinary new novel RIPENESS. It is a stunning work of fiction from the author of SUMMERWATER, GHOST WALL, and most recently, the memoir MY GOOD BRIGHT WOLF.

Read more on Elena Lappin’s Substack elenalappin.substack.com

'I am always writing fiction in the cracks of history.' said Moss.

Other memorable quotes from this conversation:

'This novel is an elegy for an era we just lost.'

'Moving to Ireland made me think about identity.'

Sarah Moss lives in Dublin.

RIPENESS is published by Picador.

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