13 May 2017
Episode 75
27 minutes
Bill Hayes, the author, photographer and long-term partner of writer and professor of neurology Oliver Sacks, reveals the stories of their lives and talks about his moving new book ‘Insomniac City, New York, Oliver and Me’.
13 May 2017
Share episode
DownloadWant more radio episodes like these in your inbox?
Sign up to Monocle’s email newsletters to stay on top of news and opinion, plus the latest from the magazine, radio, film and shop.
Meet the Writers - latest episodes
Bill Granger
Bill Granger is credited with inventing avocado toast. He is an Australian restaurateur and food writer, loved by family cooks and sophisticated foodies alike. His sunny, relaxed approach is an essential to his enduring…
Monocle Reads: Lola Shoneyin
Now in its eighth year, Ake Festival brings together artists, writers and other creatives to celebrate culture in Africa. Its founder and director, Lola Shoneyin, tells Georgina Godwin about this year’s event and her own…
Andrew Harding
Georgina Godwin speaks to the award-winning UK journalist and author Andrew Harding. Africa correspondent for BBC News, Harding began his career in Moscow in 1991 and has lived in Tbilisi, Nairobi, Singapore, Bangkok and…
Monocle Reads: Amir Khan
Georgina Godwin speaks to NHS doctor and TV personality Amir Khan about his bestselling book, ‘The Doctor Will See You Now’. The memoir draws on Khan’s past 10 years as a GP, including his experience of the current pandemic…
Lauren Child
Georgina Godwin meets children’s author and illustrator Lauren Child, best known for the ‘Charlie and Lola’ books that have been adapted for a BBC animated series. A previous children’s laureate and Unesco artist for peace…
Monocle Reads: Sue Armstrong
Georgina Godwin speaks to science writer, broadcaster and foreign correspondent Sue Armstrong about her new book, ‘Borrowed Time: The Science of How and Why We Age’, in which she tells the story of science’s quest to und…
Robert Zoellick
Georgina Godwin speaks to Robert Zoellick, a man whose experience in the US government spans six presidencies. Having served in a number of roles such as deputy secretary, counsellor of the State Department and as US trade…
Monocle Reads: Christian Busch
Georgina Godwin speaks to Christian Busch about his latest book, ‘The Serendipity Mindset: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck’, which explores how we can all use chance to create more joy and opportunity in our lives…
Max Seeck
Georgina Godwin speaks to the Finnish best-selling author Max Seeck, whose unique and gripping style of crime fiction is earning him plaudits across the world. He discusses the influence of his military past and the inev…
Monocle Reads: Laila Lalami
Georgina Godwin speaks to Pulitzer prize-finalist Laila Lalami about her latest book ‘Conditional Citizens’. Using her own journey from Moroccan immigrant to US citizen, Lalami explores notions of belonging in America.
Brandon Taylor
Georgina Godwin talks to Brandon Taylor, whose debut novel has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2020. The son of illiterate parents from Alabama, Taylor’s powerful ‘Real Life’ is the story of a gay, black biochemistry…
Monocle Reads: Andrew Hankinson
Andrew Hankinson, the award-winning author of ‘You Could Do Something Amazing with Your Life: (You Are Raoul Moat)’ speaks to Georgina Godwin about his latest book, ‘Don’t Applaud. Either Laugh or Don’t’, which explores…
Rose Tremain
Georgina Godwin interviews acclaimed novelist Rose Tremain about her relationship with her parents and how that has impacted on her writing, including in her latest book, ‘Islands of Mercy’. Set in 1986, it shifts between…
Monocle Reads: Maggie O’Farrell
Georgina Godwin speaks to the newly crowned winner of the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction, Maggie O’Farrell. Her winning novel, ‘Hamnet’, was inspired by the life and death of Shakespeare’s only son.
Vanessa Branson
Vanessa Branson is a champion of numerous cultural and ecological initiatives. A trustee for the charitable Virgin Unite organisation that was started by her brother Richard, she has now written a frank and highly entert…
