A Reading Life, A Writing Life, with Sally Bayley
Sally talks to Will Self Part Two
Aug 23, 2023
The podcast explores the life and works of writer W.G. Sebald, discussing his writing style and use of photographs. They also discuss reading and writing approaches, the impact of books on readers, and the issue of dumbing down in education.
37:44
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Quick takeaways
- Zebald's writing explores the vast and influential nature of the past, haunted by repetition and connected to the present.
- Zebald's reception differs between the English-speaking world and Germany, raising questions about national perceptions and biases, shaped by his long stay in England.
Deep dives
The significance of the past in Zebald's writing
Zebald's writing is deeply influenced by his exploration of the past and its impact on the present. He grapples with the idea of the past's capaciousness, acknowledging that it is far more extensive and influential than the future. Zebald's personal desire to alter the past, such as erasing his own happy childhood during the war, exemplifies his struggle with its weight. He sees the past as haunted by repetition, constantly returning and influencing the present. Zebald's writings also draw parallels between the Holocaust and the ongoing ecocide of the planet, highlighting his view of the Holocaust as a specialized form of the destruction humanity inflicts on nature.
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