Novel techniques
Natasha Brown, author

Following the success of her debut, Assembly, in 2021, British novelist Natasha Brown returns with Universality. In this comedy thriller, a journalist’s exposé raises questions about the power that language holds. Here, Brown tells us about her influences, writing dialogue and hooking readers.

Is social analysis at the heart of ‘Universality’? 
Jane Austen is a huge influence. Her novels capture what life and people were like in her time; the little hypocrisies of those who take themselves too seriously. I wanted to do the same for what the world looks like today. 

How do you write such lifelike conversations? 
I write every scene from the perspective of every character, then go over it. After I’ve done that, I write from that scene’s narrative perspective and pick and choose from those different bits. Sometimes I have to be harsh and take away a character’s perfect line but I always need to believe that they’re real people and that their motivations are real. 

How do you balance the excitement with the ideas?
I wouldn’t write novels if I wasn’t interested in these questions about language. The esoteric side is where I begin. But when I get into it, it’s about the characters, the story and the hook. These are key.

‘Universality’ is published by Faber UK and Penguin US

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Slice of life
Louise Courvoisier, director

The process of making comté cheese isn’t something that has had much cinematic airtime. But director Louise Courvoisier puts the arduous task centre stage in Holy Cow. The new film follows 18-year-old Totone as he takes over his father’s dairy farm while wrestling with the travails of first relationships. Here, Courvoisier tells us about decentralising French cinema, casting non-professional actors, and why cheese is a worthy protagonist.

How did you choose the film’s location?
I grew up in the Jura, so that’s where I shot the film. I wanted to make a film about the young people who I grew up with and those that don’t have a choice to leave the countryside. In France, films are always set around Paris, so it was important for me to focus on my area.

How did you cast the film?
I wanted to work with non-professional actors who were from the area, but I didn’t know how to find them. It isn’t a documentary, so they had to be good at acting. Clément Faveau, who plays Totone, has fire and fragility in him.

Why did you want to tell a story about comté?
Only a small part of France is allowed to make this cheese. When you come from the area, it surrounds you in a way. It was a challenge to film, but I was confident about the idea because it’s interesting to capture a process that’s so physical. Totone grows up in the film, and making comté helps him to evolve.

Holy Cow is in cinemas on 11 April.