Summary
Alif Shafak's latest novel, "In One Brief Moment, All Eternity," explores the life of Gustave Flaubert through a unique lens, emphasizing the voices of women surrounding him rather than focusing solely on the male author. Shafak, who draws parallels between her own life experiences and Flaubert's, discusses how her struggles with loneliness and identity shaped her writing. She reflects on the 19th century's relevance today, particularly themes of nationalism and societal upheaval, suggesting that the emotional turmoil of that era resonates with contemporary issues.
Shafak shares her personal journey from Turkey to the UK, highlighting the complexities of her identity as a Turkish novelist in exile. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling and literature as tools for understanding and connecting with others in an increasingly polarized world. The conversation touches on the challenges of navigating cultural differences and the necessity of empathy and compassion in discourse, particularly in light of rising authoritarianism and censorship globally.
Throughout the discussion, Shafak advocates for the arts as essential to combating apathy and fostering community, urging listeners to recognize the power of words and narratives in shaping our understanding of the world. She expresses hope for a future where diverse voices can coexist and contribute to a richer cultural dialogue, underscoring the enduring significance of literature in addressing the complexities of human experience.
Show Notes
In 2006, Elif Shafak was charged with 'insulting Turkishness' because of words uttered by a fictional character in one of her novels. She had been born to Turkish parents in France and grew up in Ankara but now she lives in London. On Free State today, Turkey's most widely read woman writer talks to Dion about exile, the age of anxiety and reaching out for home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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When Arsenal announced they were cutting 60 jobs at the home of the Premier League champions, the manager Mikel Arteta said he had been told it was to "achieve the success we want to create". With the help of management consultants, Arsenal identified savings while simultaneously awarding Arteta a new contract worth £20 million a season. On Free State today we look at what this story of a sporting club tells us about capitalism and inequality. Dion and Joe look at how sport was sold as everything else was sold and they wonder what happens next. Sport has been sold not just to the highest bidder but to those who believe in a version of society which is the opposite of community. What will be next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
There was an extraordinary response to Jamie Bryson’s appearance on the podcast. What does that tell us about what people want in the north and what people are talking about in the south? On Free State today we ask if these are significant days for the future of unionism. What does it mean when the Belfast Newsletter, the paper of the unionism, says that Bryson is leading unionism down a dead end. Dion and Joe talk about how communities have emerged that challenge how people felt things would be and they ask the important question: would you surrender to a sea border? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Damien Pearse is a psychologist and he is also a football fan. Why does it affect him so much when his side loses and what does it tell us about the modern world? On Free State today he talks to Dion about why we want to belong and why we identify with the tribes we do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who is Jamie Bryson and what does he want? On Free State today Jamie Bryson talks to Joe and Dion about Garvaghy Road, the Orange Order and a United ireland. His conversation with Joe is heated and contentious as they talk about these and other issues. What aspects of his cultural identity does he share with people in England and what would his view be if there was a violent response to a border poll being called? Let us know what you think - [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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