Conversations with Ian McEwan

by Ryan Roberts (Editor), Ian McEwan

Conversations with Ian McEwan collects sixteen interviews, conducted over three decades, with the British author of such highly praised novels as Enduring Love , Atonement , Saturday , and On Chesil Beach . McEwan (b. 1948) discusses his views on authorship, the writing process, and major themes found in his fiction, but he also expands upon his interests in music, film, global politics, the sciences, and the state of literature in contemporary society.

McEwan's candid and forthcoming discussions with notable contemporary writers---Martin Amis, Zadie Smith, Ian Hamilton, David Remnick, and Stephen Pinker---provide readers with the most in-depth portrait available of the author and his works.

Readers will find McEwan to be just as engaging, humorous, and intelligent as his writings suggest. The volume includes interviews from British, Spanish, French, and American sources, two interviews previously available only in audio format, and a new interview conducted with the book's editor.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Writing

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

Reviews

[Daniel Recasens Salvador · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sempre és interessant llegir McEwan, més encara si ens parla sobre el fet d’escriure. De tota manera, potser el curador podria haver passat més el rasclet per evitar repeticions impertinents entre entrevistes i que alguna hagués aprofundit més enllà de la pròpia producció o amb l’excusa de. Així i tot, com m’agradaria poder llegir en català depèn de quins llibres, com els de gatopardo ediciones.

[Beatriz Garza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recuerdo lo abrumada que me sentí cuando leí La Frantumaglia, por el desarrollo y profundidad que Elena Ferrante le daba a todas y cada una de sus respuestas, pero se trataba de entrevistas realizadas por escrito. No es este el caso en el que, aunque hay una labor —necesaria— de edición, Ian McEwan expone unos argumentos de calado con una gran capacidad de comunicación y muchísima soltura. Y además, no tiene pelos en la lengua.

Lee la reseña completa en:

https://unlibroaldia.blogspot.com/201...

[meg fitzwater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally the only reason this gets a 3 and not a 4 is because I read it for my diss and I am STRESSED rn so the enjoyment factor was not what it could’ve been. Regardless this man is so interesting and so intelligent and u can really tell he knows what he’s talking about. I wish I had read more of his books just because then I would know exactly what he was talking about when he referenced them rather than just vaguely understanding the plot but I still enjoyed him talking about the books I haven’t read because his themes are so broad and span so much of his work. Really interesting and the parts about Saturday were incredibly relevant for my diss so extra points for that

[Jwt Jan50 · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, most of these are redundant, and as McEwan concedes in one of the latter interviews - the process itself is somewhat inane. You do find out a good deal about McEwan's known background and the part of his writing process that he is willing to speak about. For would be young writers, some of this could be helpful. The last interview is 2008. 'Amsterdam' was such a disappointment to me that I've decided not to even look to see what he's written since. Didn't help that I read this between Dickens' 'Edwin Drood' and Miles Franklin's 'My Brilliant Career.'

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Ian McEwan's writings but this just wasn't of much interest to me.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the greatness of the University Press of Mississippi continues. Both this authors series and the Conversations with Filmmakers series collect interviews with their subjects over the length of that subject's career. These with McEwan go from the 70's through the late 2000's. It's a pleasure to find that McEwan is as smart and engaging as his books are. The interview done by Zadie Smith is a standout.

[Amy Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself analyzing him as he responded to different interviewers. I used some of the Q & A's with my students after they read Enduring Love, and they enjoyed hearing his perspective and insight.