Some critics call V.S. Naipaul the world's greatest living writer. But his harsh views on Islam and the Third World have sparked enormous controversy. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, Naipaul talks about his life as a writer. Also, poetry for the ages: we'll hear Yeats, Auden and Langston Hughes read their own work.
Andre Brink is a white South African novelist whose anti-apartheid books inspired Nelson Mandela and became a lightning rod for criticism from the ruling regime. He tells Steve Paulson how the end of apartheid has changed things, especially for writers. Brinks' latest novel is "The Rights of Desire." Also, Allan Gurganus (author "Oldest Confederate Widow Tells All" and the collection of stories "The Practical Heart") tells Jim Fleming how he first experienced the power of art and why he writes about Capital "T" Truths in his books.SEGMENT 2:
"Poetry Speaks" is an anthology of poetry which includes three CD's of recording of poets reading their own work. The package was edited by Dominique Raccah, who tells Anne Strainchamps why she loves hearing the actual voices of people like Denise Levertov, W.H. Auden and Robert Frost. And we hear them, too.SEGMENT 3:
Nobel laureate V.S. Naipul talks with Steve Paulson about feeling like an outsider when he went to University in England and condemns the nihilism of the Islamic fundamentalists who attacked the World Trade Center. He says they only want to destroy things and have nothing to offer as a replacement.Cassette copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 02-01-06-A.
flemingj@wpr.org
Page Design and Management by Jim Fleming at Wisconsin Public Radio.
© Copyright 2002 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.