The poet, author and broadcaster Michael Rosen almost died of COVID-19. He talks to Samira Shackle about that experience, described in his new book ‘Many Different Kinds of Love’. They discuss the value of kindness, touch and practical atheism, and reflect on liminality in life and literature. Plus, Michael describes his anger at the “unethical and immoral” decisions made by the British government, and urges against the dangerous devaluing of some lives over others, amidst our present pandemic.

Hosts: Samira Shackle and Alice Bloch
Producer: Alice Bloch
Music: Danosongs

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Further reading:
 
“Many Different Kinds of Love: A Story of Life, Death and the NHS” (2021) Michael Rosen

“In A Word: Quarantine” (2020) Michael Rosen, New Humanist Magazine

“In A Word: Wellbeing” (2018), Michael Rosen, New Humanist Magazine

“In A Word: Deniers” (2021) Michael Rosen, New Humanist Magazine 

"King Lear" (c1606) William Shakespeare

“A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” (1916) James Joyce

“Ulysses” (1922) James Joyce

The Poetry of William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)

"Alice in Wonderland" (1865) Lewis Carroll