Podcasts about mattea roach

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Best podcasts about mattea roach

Latest podcast episodes about mattea roach

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
David A. Robertson puts stories at the heart of reconciliation

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 39:11


Through his books and public speaking, David A. Robertson has dedicated his career to sharing stories about Indigenous people. His latest book, 52 Ways to Reconcile, is a guide for all of us to take action when it comes to reconciliation — and shows how small acts can have a big impact. Like all of David's work, the book tackles hard truths with a gentle touch and a profound sense of hope. David joins Mattea Roach to talk about educating children on Indigenous histories, how his father influenced his life and work and why "reconciliation" is a journey ... not a destination.If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Tanya Talaga: Searching for her great-great grandmother — a story of family, truth and survival Imani Perry: Tracing blue through Black American life

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
An opera singer gives voice to the Grenadian revolution

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 33:31


The 1983 revolution in Grenada was a major moment of the Cold War era ... and writer Zilla Jones grew up hearing stories about its connection to her own family. She transports readers back to that time in her debut novel, The World So Wide. It follows a Canadian opera singer named Felicity who is caught up in the military coup and placed under house arrest. What unfolds next is a saga that spans decades and reflects on race, love, belonging and revolution. Zilla joins Mattea Roach to talk about why opera is at the centre of the story, her work as a lawyer and the power of art as protest.If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Nnedi Okorafor: Bringing a writer to life in Death of the Author Jack Wang: Reimagining the lost stories of Chinese Canadians during WWII

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Music, sex and finding the soundtrack to queer joy

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 32:29


Growing up in the midst of the HIV/AIDS epidemic left Pete Crighton with a huge fear of sex … and he threw himself into music as a way to cope with his anxieties. Decades later, he realized that he needed to face his fears and live his queer life to the fullest. Pete writes about this journey in his new memoir, The Vinyl Diaries, where he uses his favourite songs, albums and artists as the backdrop to his story. He tells Mattea Roach about his later-in-life exploration of sex and why music was so formative to his queer experience. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Kate Bush spins a magical story on her album Hounds of LoveZoe Whittall: Why heartbreak is a valid form of grief

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Weightlifting made Casey Johnston stronger — in muscle and mind

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 30:14


For years, Casey Johnston thought fitness was all about shrinking down. She was terrified of weightlifting and what it would do to her body. Now, she's a writer and fitness advocate with a massive following of fellow lifters. Her latest book, A Physical Education, tells the story of how stepping into the weight room changed her life — body, mind and heart. Speaking with Mattea Roach, she shares how training for strength helped her take a closer look at her upbringing, body image and the way she approaches every day.If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Kate Gies: Reclaiming her body after years of medical traumaWhy growing up is so hard — and why Canadians are so funny

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Ocean Vuong finds beauty in a fast food shift

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2025 36:59


Long before he became a bestselling writer, Ocean Vuong sold rotisserie chickens at Boston Market. In his latest novel, The Emperor of Gladness, he explores the meaning that can be found in the daily grind of a fast food restaurant. The book follows a young addict named Hai as he unexpectedly becomes caretaker to an elderly woman and makes unlikely connections at the fast-food restaurant where he works. Ocean tells Mattea Roach about challenging the American Dream, how being raised by women shaped him and why this novel is his most self indulgent yet. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's triumphant return to fictionTeresa Wong: Illustrating her family's past — in all its ordinary and epic moments

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Fighting for an unlawful love in Uganda

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 32:05


Iryn Tushabe says she loves Uganda “like a problem.” Her debut novel, Everything Is Fine Here, dives into what exactly those words mean. Aine is coming of age at a boarding school in Uganda … and her world is turned upside down when she learns that her beloved older sister is gay. She's happy to see her sister in love, but disapproving parents and a hostile culture complicate her ideas of love and faith. Iryn joins Mattea Roach to talk about queer culture in Uganda, her complex relationship with religion and the folklore that inspired the story.If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:In the Caribbean, secret lives come at a costEmily Austin: Would life be easier as a rat? And other ways to escape adulthood

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
What if your dreams could land you in jail?

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2025 36:29


In The Dream Hotel, Laila Lalami imagines a world where the government has access to data about people's dreams … and uses it to decide if someone is likely to commit a crime. When Laila's protagonist, Sara, is flagged as high risk, she's sent to a retention centre and subjected to constant surveillance. Laila talks to Mattea Roach about her interest in dreams, the dangers of invisible data collection and her multilingual journey to writing. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:We can still avoid a tech dystopia — here's howNnedi Okorafor: Bringing a writer to life in Death of the Author

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Meet the winner of the 2025 CBC Short Story Prize

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 21:13


You may not be familiar with Dorian McNamara yet … but his story, You (Streetcar at Night), is the winner of the 2025 CBC Short Story Prize. If you've spent time in Toronto, you'll know its trademark red streetcars. Dorian grew up on those streetcars, which is why he chose one as the backdrop for his story of a young transgender person reflecting on their first relationship. Dorian and Mattea Roach talk about reflecting on transition, what he loves about Halifax and what winning this prize means for him. You can read Dorian's winning story here. 

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Why growing up is so hard — and why Canadians are so funny

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 30:27


For some people, young adulthood can feel more like a crash landing than a glorious journey — and Georgia Toews knows that better than anyone. Her new novel, Nobody Asked For This, is about Virginia, a young comedian. Alongside the usual messiness of growing up and chasing comedy stardom, Virginia is grappling with the loss of her mother, discord in her closest personal relationships and navigating a traumatic encounter. Georgia and Mattea Roach talk about the perils of adulthood and the Canadian comedy industry. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Emily Austin: Would life be easier as a rat? And other ways to escape adulthoodFawn Parker: Blending her own grief with fiction in new novel Hi, It's Me 

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's triumphant return to fiction

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 35:49


Readers have been waiting for a new novel from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for 12 years … and Dream Count delivers a sweeping tale that was well worth the wait. In the novel, Chimamanda weaves together the perspectives of four women moving between Nigeria, Guinea and the United States. In this Canadian broadcast exclusive, she joins Mattea Roach to talk about her longing to be known, grappling with the sudden loss of her parents and how her mother's spirit brought her back to fictionCheck out the full video interview on the CBC Arts YouTube channel. 

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Yes, tuberculosis is still a thing — John Green tells us why

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 29:19


You might know John Green as the author of bestsellers such as The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska, or from the hugely popular Crash Course and Vlogbrothers Youtube channels. John's latest obsession is tuberculosis, the deadliest disease in the world — and he writes all about it in his book, Everything is Tuberculosis. John and Mattea Roach dive into the wild history of the disease, why it persists today and John's personal relationship with a young tuberculosis patient from Sierra Leone. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Bryan Lee O'Malley: 20 years of Scott Pilgrim Judith Butler: Breaking down why people fear gender

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Why Heather O'Neill believes in magic

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 24:18


The great Canadian book debate is underway, so we're revisiting our 2024 conversation with Canadian writer and former Canada Reads winner, Heather O'Neill.Heather's latest novel, The Capital of Dreams, follows a young girl hunting for her mother's lost manuscript during a war. She spoke with Mattea Roach about taking inspiration from her own daughter, her love of imperfect art and how famous philosophers inspired a talking goose.Find everything you need to know about Canada Reads at cbcbooks.ca.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Getting to know Canada's king of suspense

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 38:25


Linwood Barclay's literary journey started with writing fanfiction on a typewriter. Over 20 books and millions of copies later, he's one of Canada's most successful living writers. His intricate thrillers have captivated audiences around the world — and his newest book, Whistle, comes out in May. Linwood joins Mattea Roach to talk about how he dreams up big thrillers, being mentored by the greats and why he loves model trains. You can also catch Linwood this week as a panellist on Canada Reads 2025. He's championing the book Jennie's Boy by Wayne Johnston. Canada Reads airs from March 17th to 20th. Find out more at cbcbooks.ca.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
How Frida Kahlo and Sylvia Plath inspired a novel about chronic pain

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 34:52


Have you ever met someone who felt like a mirror of you? In Katherine Brabon's new novel, Body Friend, the protagonist meets two women named Frida and Sylvia. All three are living with chronic illness and they're in profound pain. But when it comes to dealing with that pain, Frida and Sylvia are polar opposites — and our protagonist is caught in the middle. Katherine knows these difficulties firsthand. She joins Mattea Roach to talk about living with and writing about chronic pain. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Kate Gies: Reclaiming her body after years of medical traumaSarah Leavitt: Illustrating grief too wide for words

Because News from CBC Radio
Quizzing Canadian with Jeopardy champ Mattea Roach

Because News from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 29:36


The panel gets grilled on Trump Steaks, blasts off with Blue Origin rocket theories, and pitches an idea for a heavenly new soap opera. Featuring Ajahnis Charley, Jan Caruana, and Mattea Roach

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Pitbull, Scarface and a whale walk into a book

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2025 39:53


A famous rapper, an Al Pacino movie and a captive whale named Lolita seemingly don't have much in common. But in Jennine Capó Crucet's latest novel, Say Hello to My Little Friend, she manages to bring them all together in an ode to the magic of Miami. Jennine joins Mattea Roach to talk about the wild ride of writing the book and how her own experiences as a Cuban American are reflected in the story.  If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Teresa Wong: Illustrating her family's past — in all its ordinary and epic momentsKaveh Akbar: Finding meaning in sobriety and writing his bestseller, Martyr!  

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Nnedi Okorafor: Bringing a writer to life in Death of the Author

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2025 28:56


Nnedi Okorafor's latest book is about a writer whose new science fiction novel brings her unexpected literary fame — and it asks a lot of questions about what it means to be a storyteller today. Nnedi joins Mattea Roach to talk about metafiction, the crossroads of disability and technology and how her experiences as a Nigerian American shaped her story. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Nalo Hopkinson: How Caribbean folktales inspired her fantastical novel, Blackheart ManHelen Phillips: In a world run by AI, what makes us human?

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Jack Wang: Reimagining the lost stories of Chinese Canadians during WWII

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 34:30


In The Riveter, Jack Wang explores the untold stories of Asian Canadians during the Second World War. The novel follows Josiah Chang, a Chinese Canadian soldier navigating the horrors of war while facing discrimination at home. Jack joins Mattea Roach to talk about the historical context of the novel, the complexities of writing about war and the value of diverse perspectives.If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:V.V. Ganeshananthan: Exploring the complexity of Sri Lanka's civil war in her prize-winning novel, Brotherless NightTeresa Wong: Illustrating her family's past — in all its ordinary and epic moments

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Helen Phillips: In a world run by AI, what makes us human?

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 29:13


If you feel like your phone is tracking your every move, or that AI is getting a little too advanced for comfort… You're not the only one. Helen Phillips' latest dystopian thriller, Hum, is set in a near future where climate change has devastated life as we know it — and superintelligent robots have become an irreplaceable part of society. Helen talks to Mattea Roach about her complicated relationship with technology, parenting in the digital age and reclaiming our humanity through the little joys. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Jeff VanderMeer: How his blockbuster Southern Reach series reflects our own fight against climate changeNalo Hopkinson: How Caribbean folktales inspired her fantastical novel, Blackheart Man

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Kate Gies: Reclaiming her body after years of medical trauma

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 33:42


When Kate Gies was born without an ear on one side, a plastic surgeon told her parents that he could “fix” her. In her new memoir, It Must Be Beautiful to Be Finished, Kate recounts her harrowing journey through numerous surgeries, many of which failed — and questions what it really means to “fix” a body. Kate joins Mattea Roach to talk about blurry medical boundaries, growing up with a congenital difference and pushing back against oppressive beauty standards.If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Amy Lin: Widowed at 31, she looks for the beauty in griefJenny Heijun Wills: Sharing her journey of transracial adoption and self-discovery in her moving essay collection

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Emma Knight: 'Bad' mothers make good stories — and are more true-to-life

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 36:14


You might be surprised to learn that Emma Knight's new book, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, isn't about marine life at all. The novel follows two Canadian students finding their way in Scotland as they navigate family secrets and first love. Emma joins Mattea Roach to talk about coming of age abroad, the freedom of the pre-smartphone age, and her interest in imperfect mothers. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Fawn Parker: Blending her own grief with fiction in new novel Hi, It's Me Alan Hollinghurst: Coming of age in Britain and writing through the gay gaze

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Imani Perry: Tracing blue through Black American life

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2025 34:14


Imani Perry's latest book, Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People, is an evocative exploration of what the colour can tell us about being Black in the United States today — and the extraordinary human capacity to find beauty in the face of devastation. Imani speaks to Mattea Roach about tracing blue through history, music, and her own life.If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Nalo Hopkinson: How Caribbean folktales inspired her fantastical novel, Blackheart ManTanya Talaga: Searching for her great-great grandmother — a story of family, truth and survival

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Chris Ware: Inside the sketchbooks of a comics master

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 53:58


The latest volume of Chris Ware's Acme Novelty Date Book series is made up of pages from his personal sketchbooks, providing a window into his ideas, obsessions and insecurities. Chris tells Mattea Roach about his career as a cartoonist, staying in touch with childhood and why his daughter is the star of the comics in this book.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Rumaan Alam: How would you spend a billion dollars?

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 35:00


Rumaan Alam's latest novel, Entitlement, is about a young woman hired to help an aging billionaire give away his fortune — and it asks a lot of questions about the cash-driven world we live in. Rumaan joins Mattea Roach to talk about wealth, morality and how much money a billion dollars really is.

The Next Chapter from CBC Radio
Minelle Mahtani on finding her voice while her mother was losing hers, books bringing hope into 2025 with Ryan B. Patrick, and more

The Next Chapter from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2025 51:23


The Vancouver author and radio host's memoir May It Have a Happy Ending discusses her journey of love, grief and radio; the CBC Books senior producer recommends hopeful books to inspire us in the New Year; musician Julian Taylor talks about his favourite parenting book; a sneak peek at what authors are coming to Bookends with Mattea Roach this winter; and why patience was key for Amanda Peters in writing her first novel on this episode of The Next Chapter.Books discussed in this episode include:Great Expectations by Vinson CunninghamThe Capital of Dreams by Heather O'NeillUnearthing by Kyo MaclearAcme Novelty Datebook Volume Three by Chris WareI Might Be in Trouble by Daniel AlemanHum by Helen Phillips

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Rachel Robb: Exploring reconciliation and the natural world

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 18:43


Rachel is a teacher from Toronto. Her students didn't even know she was a writer — until she won the 2024 CBC Poetry prize. Her poem, Palimpsest County, is inspired by Ontario landscapes and speaks to colonialism, climate change, and how our responsibility to protect the natural world is a key part of reconciliation. Rachel talks to Mattea Roach about approaching reconciliation as a non-Indigenous person and how her job inspired her winning poem.The CBC Poetry Prize is one of three literary prizes that CBC Books offers for aspiring Canadian writers. The CBC Nonfiction Prize is open right now. You could win $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a writing residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and have your work published by CBC. Head to CBCBooks.ca for all the details.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Judith Butler: Breaking down why people fear gender

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2025 39:56


Judith Butler is one of the foremost gender and political theorists of the 21st century — an academic celebrity. Their latest book, Who's Afraid of Gender?, explores gender in today's polarized world and how the word itself is being used to incite political passions. Judith joins Mattea Roach to tackle the book's titular question and discuss their influential body of work.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Zoe Whittall: Why heartbreak is a valid form of grief

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 28:12


The profound impact of romantic loss doesn't always get taken seriously, but Zoe Whittall is here to tell you that she gets it. The Canadian author talks to Mattea Roach about her latest book, No Credit River, and why she's sharing her experiences with queer breakups, anxiety, and miscarriage. 

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Adrian Tomine: Answering his readers' burning questions

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2025 31:50


If you could ask your favourite author one question, what would it be? If that author is Adrian Tomine, your question might be answered in his latest book, Q&A. The cartoonist talks to Mattea Roach about what he's learned from his readers and why you might want to think twice about becoming a professional cartoonist.

q: The Podcast from CBC Radio
Quick Q: Mattea Roach on Jeopardy! and their new show Bookends

q: The Podcast from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 15:43


A few months ago, a new podcast and radio show called “Bookends” premiered on CBC. It's hosted by Mattea Roach, the Canadian “Jeopardy!” champion who held a 23-game winning streak a few years ago. Right before the show's debut, Mattea sat down with Tom Power to tell us a bit about “Bookends” and what they were most looking forward to. Plus, they shared the correct strategy for wagering on a Daily Double.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Nita Prose: The Maid series returns with a Christmas twist

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 36:38


The bestselling Maid mystery series has a new festive novella, and Nita Prose joins Mattea Roach onstage for the first Bookends live show. 

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Charles Burns: Why the comics icon keeps returning to teenage angst

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 33:18


Charles Burns's latest graphic novel, Final Cut, revolves around a group of teens in the 1970s and draws on his favourite sci-fi and horror movies. Charles joins Mattea Roach to talk about his evolution as an artist and how Final Cut was inspired by his own youth.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Pasha Malla: Parodying a wellness resort with horror and humour

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 34:26


The Canadian author's new novel, All You Can Kill, opens with the narrator floating through the sky and landing in an erotic wellness retreat --- and it only gets stranger from there. Pasha speaks with Mattea Roach about the nuances of writing about identity and the joy of a story with no rules.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Sarah Leavitt: Illustrating grief too wide for words

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 31:44


The Canadian graphic novelist talks with Mattea Roach about life with their late partner, who had an assisted death, and using art to confront grief in Something, Not Nothing

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Nalo Hopkinson: How Caribbean folktales inspired her fantastical novel, Blackheart Man

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 34:07


Nalo Hopkinson's latest work, Blackheart Man, is a dynamic sci-fi story that took 15 years to complete. The novel takes readers to the fantastical land of Chynchin, which was inspired by Afro-Caribbean histories and traditions. Nalo joins Mattea Roach to discuss the folktale-inspired world her characters live in, and the process of crafting a utopian novel while battling financial insecurity and chronic illness.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Leslie Jamison: Capturing Peggy Guggenheim in fiction and honouring a friend's dream

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 27:41


The novel Peggy fictionalizes the life of art collector Peggy Guggenheim and is Rebecca Godfrey's final project. Rebecca worked on Peggy for ten years before she died from lung cancer, leaving behind an unfinished manuscript and notes. Her close friend, writer Leslie Jamison, stepped in to fulfill Rebecca's wishes and complete the book. Leslie talks to Mattea Roach about bringing Peggy's story to life and honouring her friend's legacy.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Teresa Wong: Illustrating her family's past — in all its ordinary and epic moments

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 38:59


In the graphic memoir All Our Ordinary Stories, Teresa Wong uses spare black-and-white illustrations and thought-provoking prose to unpack how intergenerational trauma and resilience can shape our identities. Teresa and Mattea Roach discuss the art of cartooning and the intricate, often challenging journey of piecing together family history.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Paula Hawkins: Exploring the dark side of the art world in new thriller The Blue Hour

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 33:49


When Paula Hawkins dropped her pen name and switched from writing romantic comedies to thrillers, she wrote The Girl on the Train. Now she has a new book called The Blue Hour. It follows a reclusive painter named Vanessa Chapman and reflects on themes of power and legacy. Paula and Mattea Roach talk about the motivations and inspiration behind the women at the centre of her stories. 

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Anne Fleming: Why her latest novel is a gender-bending tale of witchcraft and forbidden love

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 39:33


In Anne Fleming's new novel, Curiosities, an amateur historian becomes fascinated by the lives of two girls from 1600s England. But as she pieces their stories together, the very nature of truth itself comes into question. Curiosities is a finalist for the 2024 Giller Prize. Anne and Mattea Roach discuss the pull of the 17th century and the exploration of gender and identity at the heart of the novel.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Eric Chacour: Exploring the power of familial expectations and forbidden love

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 34:37


When Montreal author Eric Chacour wrote his first book, he didn't expect it to become a huge hit in France. Translated from French to English by Pablo Strauss, What I Know About You is a novel set in Cairo and Montreal, exploring sexuality as well as family secrets and pressures. It's nominated for this year's Giller Prize and Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Eric and Mattea Roach discuss the inspiration behind his debut novel. 

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Rachel Kushner: In Booker Prize finalist Creation Lake, an agent provocateur faces deep questions about how to live

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2024 34:19


In Rachel Kushner's latest novel, Creation Lake, an undercover agent is tasked with sabotaging a group of young activists in rural France. Rachel joins Mattea Roach to talk about blending a spy premise with meditations on life's big questions, putting an anti-hero at the centre of her story and why writing this novel was a transcendent experience. Creation Lake is a finalist for the 2024 Booker Prize.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Alan Hollinghurst: Coming of age in Britain and writing through the gay gaze

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 35:39


When Alan Hollinghurt's novel The Line of Beauty won the Booker Prize in 2004, it was the first time a book about the gay experience won the award. Now his newest novel, Our Evenings, puts a biracial boy who's discovering queer culture for the first time at the front and centre. Alan and Mattea Roach discuss how growing up gay in Britain inspires his writing.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Fawn Parker: Blending her own grief with fiction in new novel Hi, It's Me

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 24:44


Fawn Parker's latest book centres on a woman navigating life immediately following the death of her mother. The novel is a finalist for this year's Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Fawn and Mattea Roach talk about grief, loss and the real-life inspiration behind Hi, It's Me.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Erica McKeen: Using horror and surrealism to explore grief, care and love in new novel Cicada Summer

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 25:59


When a trio of characters living in a lakeside cabin in the summer of 2020 begin reading a book of horror stories, the details start to bleed into real life. This is the premise of Erica McKeen's latest novel. Erica talks to Mattea Roach about why she uses horror to explore the mundane and complex aspects of everyday life.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Jeff VanderMeer: How his blockbuster Southern Reach series reflects our own fight against climate change

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024 32:07


When Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach series was first published 10 years ago, it was a sensation. The mysterious environmental phenomenon known as Area X captivated readers and inspired a movie. Now the saga continues with a highly anticipated fourth installment, Absolution. Jeff talks to Mattea Roach about the inspiration behind the series, dealing with climate threats to his home in Florida and what fiction can teach us about our own environmental crisis.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
V.V. Ganeshananthan: Exploring the complexity of Sri Lanka's civil war in her prize-winning novel, Brotherless Night

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 38:15


V.V. Ganeshananthan won two of the world's biggest fiction prizes this year: the U.K. Women's Prize and the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction. Her novel Brotherless Night imagines one Tamil family's experience during the first decade of Sri Lanka's civil war, told through the eyes of a courageous medical student. V.V. speaks to Mattea Roach about the complexities of writing fiction about a real conflict, grappling with authenticity and diasporic storytelling, and her almost 20-year journey working on the novel.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Corinna Chong: Uncovering long buried truths against the backdrop of Alberta's Badlands

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 25:53


Alberta's Badlands, the world's largest dinosaur bone repository, set the eerie stage for Corinna Chong's novel Bad Land. It follows a loner whose family secrets, like the ancient bones buried deep beneath the earth, are destined to be uncovered. Corinna talks to Mattea Roach about drawing from her own life to bring flawed characters and complicated family relationships to life.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Jenny Heijun Wills: Sharing her journey of transracial adoption and self-discovery in her moving essay collection

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 25:21


Everything and Nothing At All by Jenny Heijun Wills is an essay collection where the author reflects on her experiences as a transnational adoptee. Jenny was born in Korea and was adopted by a white Canadian family in southwestern Ontario when she was nine months old. Twenty years ago, she reconnected with her Korean birth family. She talks to Mattea Roach about this journey — which also inspired her prize-winning memoir, Older Sister. Not Necessarily Related — and about how writing and literature have helped her figure out who she is.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Matt Haig: A surprise inheritance, a magical island and why he's embracing hope — in fiction and life

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 29:27


In Matt Haig's latest bestseller, The Life Impossible, a retired math teacher goes on a Spanish adventure after inheriting a house on Ibiza. But things on the island aren't quite what they seem. For Matt, the story's surrealist elements mirror aspects of his own journey through depression and mental illness — and coming through it with new ideas about what's possible. He speaks with Mattea Roach about striving for authentic optimism in his fiction.Music featured in this episode: "Rainy Days and Mondays" written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, performed by Carpenters, from the 1971 self-titled album, Carpenters, produced by Jack Daugherty.

Writers and Company from CBC Radio
Aldona Dziedziejko: Poetic reflections on land and loss wins 2024 CBC Nonfiction Prize

Writers and Company from CBC Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 17:38


Poet Aldona Dziedziejko's Ice Safety Chart: Fragments is a beautiful, experimental essay about different moments from Aldona's life in the Northwest Territories. The writer, who now lives in Alberta, spoke to Mattea Roach about their life, literary inspirations and her big win.