Words At Large

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Since colonial times, the Amazon has attracted foreign writers drawn to the exotic backdrop. However, for native writers like Milton Hatoum, who comes from the northern Brazilian state of Amazonas, having his voice heard beyond the jungle landscape is a challenge.

Hatoum, who is of Lebanese ancestry, writes about the mix of cultures in Brazil. He’s written three novels, all of which have won awards. His latest, Ashes of the Amazon (Bloomsbury UK), is set in his hometown of Manaus, the capital of the state, in the 1960s and 1970s. In part, it’s the story of family conflict and a friendship between two men from different backgrounds. But it also chronicles the exploitation of the rainforest, and the links between business and the military.

Eleanor Wachtel spoke with Milton Hatoum from Berlin, where he was attending a literary festival. They discussed his Lebanese roots, how Ashes of the Amazon was influenced by his own experiences, and the hold that the rainforest has on his imagination.

First aired September 28, 2008 on Writers & Company. [runs 51:16]

Writers & Company airs on Thursdays at 11:00 p.m. (11:30 in Newfoundland) and on Sunday afternoons (times vary across the country). You can also listen to the show as a podcast.

Coming up
Calling all writers: The 2008 CBC Literary Awards competition is open for submissions in poetry, short fiction and creative non-fiction. Entries must be received by November 1, 2008. Go to the official site for details.