Writers & Companywith Eleanor Wachtel
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'My mother was a Communist informant.' András Forgách explores his family's secret past
The Hungarian novelist and playwright speaks with Eleanor Wachtel about writing fiction based on a real-life family betrayal.
War veteran Elliot Ackerman on the scars that remain once the battle is over
The American author explores the deeply personal impact of war in his new novel Waiting for Eden.
Jeet Thayil on Baudelaire, drug addiction and his provocative novel, Narcopolis
The prize-winning author spoke with Eleanor Wachtel in 2013 about substance abuse, recovery and the beauty of poetry.
Lee Child on Jack Reacher and his larger-than-life crime thriller series
The bestselling author spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about Past Tense, the latest book in the ongoing series.
Laurie Anderson on language, story and losing her archives to Hurricane Sandy
The American musician and storyteller spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about her book All the Things I Lost in the Flood.
Terrance Hayes examines race and politics in the age of Donald Trump in his new poetry collection
The American poet spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about his latest collection, American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin.
Amitava Kumar on India, the U.S. and the indelible imprint of the immigrant experience
The academic and author spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about his provocative new novel, Immigrant, Montana.
Kathryn Harrison on how her grandparents saved her from a broken childhood
The American author spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about her new memoir, On Sunset.
Michael Winterbottom on the epic journey of his career in film
The English filmmaker spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about his new movie, The Wedding Guest, and using cinema as a means to explore the world.
Lawrence Osborne on re-imagining Philip Marlowe, Raymond Chandler's iconic sleuth
The British novelist spoke with Eleanor Wachtel about writing the quintessential hard-boiled detective's final case.
Teju Cole, Madeleine Thien and Dionne Brand on the places and spaces that inspire their writing
The three celebrated writers joined Eleanor Wachtel on stage in Toronto for a discussion about the significance of location in literature.
Zadie Smith on the ups and downs of female friendship in Swing Time
The author of White Teeth and On Beauty talks to Eleanor Wachtel about her most recent novel, and discusses essays from her new collection, Feel Free.
Listen to Writers & Company's special summer series with Man Booker Prize winners
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Britain's most important literary award, Writers & Company is airing past interviews with previous winners throughout the summer.
Ruth Ozeki, Chris Abani and Tash Aw on faces and identity
Eleanor Wachtel speaks with three authors of the 2016 memoir series, The Face. Chris Abani, Tash Aw and Ruth Ozeki explore the relationship of our faces to identity and belonging.
Man Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle on domestic violence, writing from memory and the lure of Irish culture
The Irish writer won the 1993 Man Booker Prize for his novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, about a boy's life growing up poor in Dublin.
Man Booker Prize winner Marlon James on writing himself into a new life
Marlon James won the 2015 Man Booker Prize for his novel A Brief History of Seven Killings, which revolves around an assassination attempt on reggae superstar Bob Marley.
James Ivory on his storied career and Oscar-winning screenplay
The American director and screenwriter spoke with Eleanor Wachtel in Toronto about his work on the 2017 film Call Me by Your Name.
'I don't believe in God, but I miss him.' Julian Barnes on why he puts his faith in stories
The celebrated English writer talked to Eleanor Wachtel in 2011, shortly after winning the Man Booker Prize for his novel, The Sense of an Ending.
Sebastián Lelio on the fantastic woman at the heart of his Oscar-winning film
The celebrated Chilean film director takes an intimate look at the stories and ideas behind his work.
How Jane Austen inspired Amma Asante's films about race and class in Britain
The filmmaker discusses the opportunities for social commentary that exist in historical fiction.
4 reasons why J.K. Rowling is the only person who could have created Harry Potter
In this interview from Writers & Company in 2000, Eleanor Wachtel talks to J.K. Rowling about the complex world of magic in the Harry Potter series.
Pat Barker on how her grandfather's war wound inspired her powerful World War I trilogy
The Man Booker Prize-winning English novelist talked to Eleanor Wachtel in 1997 on writing fiction about the physical and psychological impact of war.
J. M. Coetzee on language, writing and the pleasure of reading
The famously aloof South African novelist talked to Eleanor Wachtel in 2000, shortly after his second Man Booker win.
Aravind Adiga's books tackle clashes of the classes in Indian society
Aravind Adiga stunned the literary world when his first novel, The White Tiger, won the prestigious Man Booker Prize.
Peter Carey reimagines the life and death of Australian outlaw Ned Kelly
The two-time Man Booker winner talked to Eleanor Wachtel in 2001 about his bestselling novel, True History of the Kelly Gang.
James Ivory on his storied career and Oscar-winning screenplay
The American director and screenwriter spoke with Eleanor Wachtel in Toronto about his work on the 2017 film Call Me by Your Name.
Sebastián Lelio on the fantastic woman at the heart of his Oscar-winning film
The celebrated Chilean film director takes an intimate look at the stories and ideas behind his work.
