Writers & Company with Eleanor Wachtel
Latest
Jamaica Kincaid on family, place and the beauty of language
In this 2002 conversation, the celebrated Antiguan-American writer spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about exploring the mysteries of love and longing.
Kiese Laymon bears the weight of a difficult past in his powerful memoir, Heavy
In this 2019 conversation, the American author and academic spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about exploring identity, addiction and childhood trauma growing up in the Deep South.
Writers & Company
The Art of Silence: How Marcel Marceau touched hearts and saved lives without words
The world-famous French mime is the subject of The Art of Silence, a new documentary by Swiss filmmaker Maurizius Staerkle Drux. The film is streaming as part of the 2022 Hot Docs film festival, with a screening on May 8.
John Keats, the ultimate Romantic poet: an intriguing new take on his life from Lucasta Miller
The British critic and historian spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about how her book Keats: A Brief Life in Nine Poems and One Epitaph explores the tragic life of the English Romantic lyric poet.
Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These is a story of moral crisis, heroism and the human heart
The acclaimed Irish writer spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about her new novella — and why it zeroes in on themes of love, complicity and human decency.
The unbridled brilliance of Stephen Fry: the versatile English performer chronicles his own life
In this 2011 conversation, the English actor, comedian and writer spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about his life and three autobiographies: Moab Is My Washpot, The Fry Chronicles and More Fool Me.
Ocean Vuong embraces life after loss in his new book of poems, Time Is a Mother
In conversation with Eleanor Wachtel, the Vietnamese American poet and author spoke about coping with the death of his mother and writing poems with themes of addiction, hope and survival.
Legendary filmmaker Liv Ullmann on acting, directing and her special bond with Ingmar Bergman
In this 2014 interview, the Norwegian actress and director talked to Eleanor Wachtel about her period drama film Miss Julie. Ullmann received an honorary Oscar for "bravery and emotional transparency" in 2022.
From child actor to award-winning filmmaker: Sarah Polley tells her own story in her powerful new book
Writing a book is "the thing I've most wanted to do," the Canadian actor, director and writer said to CBC Radio's Eleanor Wachtel. Polley's debut book is a collection of personal essays called Run Towards the Danger.
Jason Mott celebrates the Black imagination in his surprising, moving, Hell of a Book
In conversation with Eleanor Wachtel, the American author talks about writing an absurdist story that reflects on racism and police violence. Hell of a Book won the 2021 U.S. National Book Award for fiction.
Min Jin Lee on the untold story of Koreans in Japan
In this 2017 conversation, Eleanor Wachtel spoke with the Korean American writer about her second novel, Pachinko, which was a finalist for the National Book Award.
Israeli graphic novelist Rutu Modan finds inspiration in current realities and family secrets
Rutu Modan's Tunnels mirrors the complexity of contemporary Israeli life. The award-winning artist spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about creating a witty, dramatic adventure story involving an archeological dig in the West Bank.
Percival Everett's The Trees imagines a world where the horrors of lynching are avenged
In conversation with Eleanor Wachtel, the American professor and novelist reflects on writing a satirical critique of white supremacy in the Deep South.
The legacy of Joan Didion: The influential stylist inspired generations of writers
The prolific American writer, who died in December 2021 at the age of 87, was known for pioneering the New Journalism movement in the 1960s. Didion spoke with Eleanor Wachtel in 2005 about her life and work.
Chinese writer Yan Ge finds solace in creating literary worlds
The Sichuan-born fiction writer spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about identity, loss and the nature of being human.
Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu brought a spiritual dimension to South Africa's liberation struggle
Desmond Tutu died on Dec. 26, 2021 at the age of 90. In this 2001 conversation, the South African anti-apartheid activist, theologian and author spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about faith and the painful process of healing.
Nadifa Mohamed imagines the life of a Somali man wrongfully executed in her novel The Fortune Men
The Somali-British novelist and Booker Prize finalist spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about uncovering the real story behind a tragic miscarriage of justice.
Pulitzer Prize-winner Quiara Alegría Hudes on her journey to writing the hit musical In the Heights
The acclaimed American playwright spoke to Eleanor Wachtel about her popular musical — and the questions of identity that inspired her new memoir, My Broken Language.
U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo pays homage to art and ancestors in her new memoir, Poet Warrior
The poet, musician and memoirist spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about the joys and harsh realities of her early life — and finding refuge in poetry and art.
Damon Galgut probes South Africa's troubled history in his Booker Prize winner, The Promise
The South African novelist and playwright spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about writing The Promise, a novel that follows a white Pretoria family through the dismantling of apartheid.
Sarah Broom on family bonds and the meaning of home in her award-winning memoir, The Yellow House
In this 2020 interview, the New Orleans-born author spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about generational love and the power of place.
Tash Aw on the dark side of the modern Asian dream
In this 2019 interview, the Chinese-Malaysian novelist spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about why his novel, We, the Survivors, is a portrait of crime, morality and social inequality.
Michelle de Kretser probes the human heart with insight and wit in her novel, The Life to Come
In this 2019 interview, the Sri Lankan-born Australian author talks to Eleanor Wachtel about how the ambivalence of travel shaped her life and fiction.
A secret life in dangerous times: novelist Colm Tóibín imagines the great German writer Thomas Mann
The Irish novelist spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about writing the novel The Magician, a fictionalized story about the enigmatic Nobel Prize-winning author.
With sharp observation and sardonic wit, David Sedaris spins comedy gold out of everyday life
The American humorist and author spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about his latest book, A Carnival of Snackery, and the power of self-examination.
