Inbox: Oranges, Sunshine and a Storm Coming | Sebastian Faulks

Sebastian Faulks, renowned author, discusses his latest novel, "Farewell to Eden," which explores the complexities of British Palestine in 1945. Drawing from personal history, including his father's experiences as a soldier in the region, Faulks aims to provide a nuanced perspective on a time often overshadowed by conflict. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the diverse narratives of all parties involved, advocating for increased sympathy towards each side of the historical divide.

The novel is rooted in extensive research, including oral histories from soldiers and police officers, as well as a diary from a Uruguayan diplomat. Faulks reflects on the human aspects of the British soldiers' experiences, capturing both the beauty of the landscape and the impending sense of turmoil. He also touches on the cultural interactions among various communities in Palestine, highlighting moments of camaraderie that contrast with the political tensions of the era.

Faulks shares insights into his writing process, revealing that he typically writes daily and engages in thorough preparation before starting a novel. He also discusses the significance of faith and spirituality within the story, as characters navigate their beliefs against the backdrop of a historically rich and complex setting. The conversation concludes with Faulks hinting at a surprising twist in the narrative, leaving readers intrigued about the unfolding of events in "Farewell to Eden."

What were British soldiers doing in Palestine in 1945, between the oranges, the swimming and the bombs?

Why does the Christmas show in Sebastian Faulks's Jerusalem swap Gilbert and Sullivan for Oscar Wilde?

And, how did a novelist who plans everything end up with a twist he never saw coming?

Sebastian Faulks tells Peter Frankopan and Afua Hirsch how his father's posting, hundreds of hours of soldiers' memories and a much-missed friend became his new novel, Farewell to Eden.

His father was sent from Italy in late 1945 for what the army called "rest and peacekeeping", and was there when the King David Hotel was bombed. Sebastian built the book from the Imperial War Museum's sound archive, a 1949 diary kept by the Uruguayan member of the UN committee that drew the borders, and the memory of his closest friend, the Guardian's Middle East editor Ian Black, who first explained it all to him in their first week at Cambridge. Plus Amos Oz's grandparents, who thought Palestine was "too Asian", a padre's vision on Easter Saturday, the grey "tundra" of post-war Britain, and why Sebastian had to unlearn the idea that happy endings are vulgar.

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[0:00] Oranges, sunshine and a storm coming [2:22] A boarding school, October 2023 and an old friend [5:52] His father's "rest and peacekeeping" in 1945 [15:17] The Irgun, a bombing in Rome and no easy sides [18:53] Faith in the Holy Land, and a Christmas show in Jerusalem [24:51] The twist even he didn't plan [26:56] How grim post-war Britain really was [29:43] Why happy endings aren't vulgar [33:04] Crosswords, coffee and 1,000 words a day [38:14] A diary from 1949 and the UN's impossible job

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Explore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com Join Legacy+ for bonus episodes, early access, Q&A's, fewer adverts and more. legacy.supportingcast.fm

Stay connected with Legacy: Instagram: @originallegacypodcast TikTok: @legacy_productions

Explore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.