Writers & Company with Eleanor Wachtel
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Mavis Gallant: celebrating the centenary of the masterful Canadian short story writer
In this 2008 conversation in Paris, the late Canadian short story writer — who would have turned 100 this year — spoke to Eleanor Watchel about her journalism roots, her early struggles as a young writer in Europe, and carving out her own literary path.
Talking with a master storyteller: Eleanor Wachtel on interviewing Mavis Gallant
Writers & Company host Eleanor Wachtel reflects on her 2008 interview with Canadian short story master Mavis Gallant.
Karim Rashid wants nothing less than to change the world — through design
In this 2016 conversation, the Egyptian-born, Canadian-raised industrial designer spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about cultural shaping and the power of design.
Artist David Hockney is a master of reinvention — from the swimming pools of LA, to the forests of England
In this 2011 conversation with Eleanor Wachtel, the celebrated British artist and designer reflects on a life of art and challenging the norm.
Nadine Labaki's Oscar-nominated film, Capernaum, highlights the heroism of children in Beirut
In this 2019 conversation, the Lebanese actor and director spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about creating a film involving a pre-teen boy who sues his parents for giving him life.
Edward P. Jones's novel The Known World is a compelling tale of slavery in the Antebellum South
The Pulitzer Prize-winning American author spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about The Known World, a historical novel that looks at slavery in early 19th century Virginia.
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Looking back at the visionary Peter Brook
The influential British theatre director died on July 2, 2022. He was 97. Brook spoke with Eleanor Wachtel on-stage in Toronto in 2000 about the evolution of his career, the enduring power of Shakespeare, and his love of theatre.
Kent Monkman's subversive art creates a counter-narrative of Indigenous experience
In this 2016 conversation, celebrated visual artist Kent Monkman spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about using his art to reflect Indigenous resilience.
Margo Jefferson on her musical icons, the Black elite and the power of self-creation
The American writer, academic and cultural critic spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about her memoir Constructing a Nervous System, an incisive look at race, class, music and feminism.
Turkish American novelist Elif Batuman on finding — and losing — yourself in fiction
The Turkish American novelist spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about her latest book, Either/Or, the sequel to her semi-autobiographical novel, The Idiot.
James Runcie on the beauty, sorrow and genius of Johann Sebastian Bach
The British novelist spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about his latest book, The Great Passion, a fictional imagining of J.S. Bach as an ambitious, passionate musician and father.
Natalie Haynes on the fantastic and fearsome women of Greek myth
The British writer, broadcaster and comedian spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about how her book Pandora's Jar explores the untold stories of the women in Greek myths.
Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier on life, love and The Worst Person in the World
In conversation with Eleanor Wachtel, the celebrated director reflects on his grounded yet hopeful approach to filmmaking.
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.
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.
