Meet the Writers
Georgina Godwin in conversation with top authors. Explore their inspirations, writing processes, and the stories behind their books.
Latest Episodes
Curtis Sittenfeld
Author Curtis Sittenfeld cemented her place in the literary scene with her third novel ‘American Wife’, a story loosely based on first lady, Laura Bush. 12 years on, her eagerly anticipated new book ‘Rodham’ explores a similarly ambitious theme, reimagining the life of Hillary Clinton had she not married Bill.…
Monocle Reads: Mojie Crigler
Mojie Crigler tells Georgina Godwin about her new book, ‘Under the Big Tree’, which tells the story of the people who suffer from Neglected Tropical Diseases, as well as the global movement of extraordinary people working together to defeat them.
Amish Tripathi
Amish Tripathi rocketed to fame with the Shiva trilogy, which became the fastest-selling series of books in Indian history. Tripathi’s path to success was not a simple one, however, as he was initially rejected by publishers more than 20 times. As well as continuing to write, he is now a…
Monocle Reads: ‘Warriors, Witches, Women’
Kate Hodges speaks to Georgina Godwin about her new book, ‘Warriors, Witches, Women: Celebrating Mythology’s Fiercest Females’. From feminist fairies to bloodsucking temptresses, half-human harpies and protective voodoo goddesses, the book does away with stereotypes and explores these historical and spiritual figures from a feminist perspective.
Michael Frayn
British author, playwright and translator Michael Frayn is best known for his farcical comedy ‘Noises Off’ and ‘Copenhagen’, which details a 1941 meeting between Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg. He is also a translator of Russian and has written several English translations of Chekhov. He spoke to us about his…
Monocle Reads: Dan Gretton
Writer and activist Dan Gretton’s disturbing debut work, ‘I You We Them’, is a culmination of Gretton’s career-spanning interest in “desk killers” – perpetrators of crimesagainst humanity, who murder through the cold mechanisms of bureaucracy. ‘I You We Them’ merges history, reportage and memoir to meditate on questions of responsibility…
Humphrey Hawksley
Humphrey Hawksley is an author, commentator and broadcaster. His work as a BBC foreign correspondent took him all over the world, giving him a global perspective that informs his writing. His new book, ‘Man on Edge’, puts the reader at the centre of a geopolitical crisis in Moscow.
Monocle Reads: Emily Thomas
Dr Emily Thomas talks to Georgina Godwin about her new book, ‘The Meaning of Travel’. What compels people to travel and what impact does it have on society? ‘The Meaning of Travel’ traverses the places where philosophy and travel intersect, from the 16th century to the present day. Emily discusses…
Christos Tsiolkas
Christos Tsiolkas is an Australian born to Greek immigrant parents whose breakthrough novel, ‘The Slap’, was longlisted for the Booker prize in 2010. He talks about religion, shame and his most recent book, ‘Damascus’.
Monocle Reads: Major General Paul Nanson
Georgina Godwin is joined by Major General Paul Nanson. Serving in Northern Ireland, the Gulf War, Bosnia and Iraq, Paul’s military career has spanned three decades. Now he has put experience down on paper in the form of a self-help book. ‘Stand Up Straight’ provides the reader with 10 life…
