Howard Jacobson delves into the art of personal essay writing, revealing its balance of intimacy and humor. He discusses how radio essays capture the 'frolicsome spirit of truth,' urging listeners to cherish the shards of skepticism they offer. The conversation highlights the unique value of essays over novels, celebrating life's imperfections and the critical insights they provide amidst today's chaotic media landscape. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of why essays matter now more than ever.
10:26
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Initial Inspiration
Howard Jacobson coveted the "A Point of View" slot after listening to Clive James.
He bought a special notebook, rejecting the bulky free ones from literary festivals.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Notebooks and Style
Jacobson preferred a notebook for initial ideas, not full essays.
He compared his writing style to Dickens' Miss Peacher, favoring a less structured approach.
insights INSIGHT
Broadcasting vs. Writing
"A Point of View" differed from newspaper columns as it was broadcast and demanded attention.
Jacobson felt the word "broadcast" held weight, comparing it to Churchill's wartime speeches.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The Man Without Qualities is a sprawling, philosophical novel that delves into the lives of various characters in Vienna during the final years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The protagonist, Ulrich, a 32-year-old mathematician and former military officer, is characterized by his indifference to life and his search for meaning. The novel explores a wide range of themes including truth vs. possibility, science vs. mysticism, and the ambiguity of human existence. It is known for its complex characters, such as the murderer Moosbrugger and the intellectual Arnheim, and its critique of societal values and the bureaucratic absurdities of the time. The book is notable for its lack of a dominant plot, instead focusing on the intellectual and philosophical musings of its characters[1][3][5].
Our Mutual Friend
Charles Dickens
Our Mutual Friend, a novel by Charles Dickens, explores themes of wealth, poverty, and social class in Victorian London. The story revolves around the inheritance of a fortune left in the form of dead bodies found in the River Thames. Dickens satirizes the materialistic values of the wealthy elite and the struggles of the working class. The novel features a complex cast of characters, each grappling with their own moral dilemmas. Our Mutual Friend is a complex and multifaceted work, showcasing Dickens' skill in creating memorable characters and weaving together multiple storylines.
Howard Jacobson reflects on the radio essay, after almost two decades of A Point of View.
With nods to Clive James, body-pierced baritones and with a plentiful supply of svelte notebooks, Howard explains why he believes the radio essay is 'more than words on paper'...why it captures the 'frolicsome spirit of truth'.
And, Howard writes, 'at a time when we no longer have the concentration to read entire books, and what we do read leads us into the arms of madmen, we should love the shards of scepticism with which the best essays dazzle us.'
Producer: Adele Armstrong
Sound: Peter Bosher
Production coordinator: Liam Morrey
Editor: Penny Murphy
A Point of View 
