
Life and Art from FT Weekend
Novelist Elif Shafak: ‘Writers are the memory keepers’
Dec 16, 2024
Elif Shafak, a celebrated novelist with 13 novels, discusses her latest work, which intertwines stories across centuries, highlighting how fiction can illuminate forgotten histories. She shares insights on the role of oral traditions in preserving memory, especially within the Yazidi community. The conversation dives into nostalgia's dual nature, revealing how storytelling fosters connection amid identity struggles. Elif emphasizes the writer's role as a memory keeper and the importance of acknowledging emotions in today's complex societal landscape.
29:46
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Elif Shafak emphasizes storytelling's power to preserve cultural legacies through the perspective of family memory keepers across generations.
- The podcast connects fiction with vital global issues, illustrating how narratives about water scarcity reflect broader themes of social injustice and inequality.
Deep dives
The Importance of Ancestral Connections
Connecting with ancestral heritage is highlighted as a powerful yearning many people feel. The speaker emphasizes that while meeting ancestors in person may not be possible, exploring family stories and silences is crucial. This exploration often varies across generations, with the eldest family members holding memories that remain unspoken, while younger generations grapple with understanding their roots. The idea that each family has at least one 'memory keeper,' often a writer or poet, illustrates the role of storytelling in preserving cultural legacies.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.