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#64 The House of Broken Bricks; Fiona Williams on honouring the Landscape and a Sense of Identity
This week on Nonsense in the Chaos we follow the thread from Somerset to Exeter to meet Fiona Williams, author of House of Broken Bricks and partner of Joe, the builder from episode #58. Joe grew up in Burrowbridge with his twin brother Jason, and it was clear from meeting them how deeply the Levels run in their bones. Fiona carries that same connection, and channels it onto the page with remarkable clarity.
Her novel captures the Somerset Levels with a tenderness that feels tactile. Mud, reeds, light, memory… All held with the same depth of care found in Braiding Sweetgrass. Reading her book had me laughing at the scenes of lost hikers pacing back and forth looking for the footpath (a very familiar experience), and wiping away tears more than once. Her writing is extraordinary, easily some of the finest I’ve encountered. She also talked about her PHD and forthcoming work, in which she traces how folk tales act as living records, shaped by the people who work the land and the land that works on them
Mercury Retrograde played its usual games during recording. A first attempt disappeared into the ether, and the second—this episode—picked up the occasional echo on my voice. I’ve reduced it as much as possible. The conversation still shines, and meeting Fiona was a complete delight.
Settle in for an episode rich with story, landscape and the quiet power of a writer who listens closely to the land beneath her feet.
You can find out more about Fiona's work @fionawilliamswrites
The music and artwork is by @moxmoxmoxiemox
Nonsense in the Chaos is available on all podcast platforms or you can listen to it here… https://nonsenseinthechaos.buzzsprout.com
I'd love to know what you think! If you want to get in touch with me about anything on the podcast then email [email protected] or you can follow me on Instagram and Bluesky @kriyaarts or at the Nonsense in the Chaos Page on Facebook.
Please consider supporting me through patreon.com/JolieRose and like, follow, and review wherever you get your podcasts from. Share about Nonsense in the Chaos far and wide! The more people who hear about the podcast the better.
Thank you for all your support -x-
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By JolieThis week on Nonsense in the Chaos we follow the thread from Somerset to Exeter to meet Fiona Williams, author of House of Broken Bricks and partner of Joe, the builder from episode #58. Joe grew up in Burrowbridge with his twin brother Jason, and it was clear from meeting them how deeply the Levels run in their bones. Fiona carries that same connection, and channels it onto the page with remarkable clarity.
Her novel captures the Somerset Levels with a tenderness that feels tactile. Mud, reeds, light, memory… All held with the same depth of care found in Braiding Sweetgrass. Reading her book had me laughing at the scenes of lost hikers pacing back and forth looking for the footpath (a very familiar experience), and wiping away tears more than once. Her writing is extraordinary, easily some of the finest I’ve encountered. She also talked about her PHD and forthcoming work, in which she traces how folk tales act as living records, shaped by the people who work the land and the land that works on them
Mercury Retrograde played its usual games during recording. A first attempt disappeared into the ether, and the second—this episode—picked up the occasional echo on my voice. I’ve reduced it as much as possible. The conversation still shines, and meeting Fiona was a complete delight.
Settle in for an episode rich with story, landscape and the quiet power of a writer who listens closely to the land beneath her feet.
You can find out more about Fiona's work @fionawilliamswrites
The music and artwork is by @moxmoxmoxiemox
Nonsense in the Chaos is available on all podcast platforms or you can listen to it here… https://nonsenseinthechaos.buzzsprout.com
I'd love to know what you think! If you want to get in touch with me about anything on the podcast then email [email protected] or you can follow me on Instagram and Bluesky @kriyaarts or at the Nonsense in the Chaos Page on Facebook.
Please consider supporting me through patreon.com/JolieRose and like, follow, and review wherever you get your podcasts from. Share about Nonsense in the Chaos far and wide! The more people who hear about the podcast the better.
Thank you for all your support -x-