Backlisted

The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro


Listen Later

“A masterpiece I don’t fully understand—and don’t need to.” This week’s book is The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro, a bold, baffling, and darkly funny novel that has confounded and enchanted readers since its publication in 1995. Joining us to explore it is Chris Chibnall, award-winning screenwriter, playwright, and now novelist, best known for Broadchurch and Doctor Who, and author of the new detective novel Death at the White Hart.

Written in the wake of Ishiguro’s Booker-winning The Remains of the Day, The Unconsoled follows Ryder, a famous pianist, through an unnamed European city where nothing is quite as it seems.

We talk about Ishiguro’s decision to “go electric” with this daring experiment in narrative structure and tone; how the novel grew from critical confusion to cult classic; and why its unresolved tensions and emotional obliqueness are part of its power.

For anyone who’s ever had to perform while still in their dressing gown, this one’s for you.


* To purchase any of the books mentioned in this episode please visit our bookshop at uk.bookshop.org/shop/backlisted where all profits help to sustain this podcast and UK independent bookshops.

* For information about everything mentioned in this episode visit www.backlisted.fm

*If you'd like to support the show and join in with the book chat, listen without adverts, receive the show early and with extra bonus fortnightly episodes and exclusive writing, become a Patreon at www.patreon.com/backlisted

*You can sign up to our free monthly newsletter here 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

BacklistedBy Backlisted

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

547 ratings


More shows like Backlisted

View all
The Penguin Podcast by Penguin Books UK

The Penguin Podcast

148 Listeners

Arts & Ideas by BBC Radio 4

Arts & Ideas

295 Listeners

Great Lives by BBC Radio 4

Great Lives

501 Listeners

World Book Club by BBC World Service

World Book Club

365 Listeners

Books and Authors by BBC Radio 4

Books and Authors

365 Listeners

The LRB Podcast by The London Review of Books

The LRB Podcast

292 Listeners

Bookclub by BBC Radio 4

Bookclub

236 Listeners

London Review Bookshop Podcast by London Review Bookshop

London Review Bookshop Podcast

124 Listeners

The TLS Podcast by The TLS

The TLS Podcast

186 Listeners

The Shakespeare and Company Interview by Shakespeare and Company

The Shakespeare and Company Interview

90 Listeners

The Book Club by The Spectator

The Book Club

85 Listeners

The Waterstones Podcast by Waterstones

The Waterstones Podcast

35 Listeners

Shedunnit by Caroline Crampton

Shedunnit

690 Listeners

Close Readings by London Review of Books

Close Readings

55 Listeners

A Good Read by BBC Radio 4

A Good Read

13 Listeners