October 07, 2024

Irvine Welsh and Andrew O'Hagan

27 minutes

A new series begins at the Edinburgh International Book Festival with guests Irvine Welsh and Andrew O'Hagan. Irvine Welsh is best known as the author of Trainspotting. Andrew O'Hagan's Mayflies was recently made into a BBC TV series. The programme was recorded in front of an audience at the Dynamic Earth Centre. Irvine Welsh chooses a lesser known book - Brian by Jeremy Cooper. It's the story of a lonely man's redemption through his love of film. A membership of the BFI (British Film Institute) opens up his world and offers an escape from his humdrum existence working for the housing department of a North London council.

By contrast Andrew chooses Robert Louis Stevenson's masterpiece of dual identity - The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Again although it's set in London Andrew recognises the streets of Edinburgh's New Town in the book.

Harriett brings the Australian writer Helen Garner's novel The Children's Bach for discussion. It's the story of family breakdown and the ensuing emotional fallout.

Produced by Maggie Ayre for BBC Audio Bristol

Photo credit: Desiree Adams / Penguin Random House

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By BBC Radio 4

4.8