Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin Jamie Byng
Nov 1, 2023
Jamie Byng, CEO of Canongate Books, dives deep into his publishing journey that transformed a struggling company into a beacon for cult authors. He shares his passion for bold literature, discussing famous authors like Barack Obama and Ruth Ozeki. Byng also reflects on the contrasts between Edinburgh and London, the digital shift in publishing, and how independent firms navigate these changes. With insights into unique projects like the Canongate Myths and community-focused initiatives, he champions the enduring magic of print in a digital world.
01:42:09
A Childhood Filled with Books and Nature
- Jamie Byng, reflecting on his childhood, describes a home filled with books, art, and nature.
- His father, a gardener and river keeper, instilled in him a deep connection to the outdoors.
Discovering Music with Charlie McVeigh
- At Edinburgh University, Byng lived with Charlie McVeigh, who had a vast record collection.
- This experience broadened Byng's musical tastes and led him to start a club called Chocolate City.
The Impact of Simande's Music
- Byng recalls discovering Simande's music through McVeigh and its profound impact.
- This encounter sparked a lifelong passion for music and significantly influenced his career.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Musical Memories and Transformative Discoveries
04:19 • 25min
A Journey of Growth and Natural Vitality
29:00 • 2min
The Journey of Canongate: Passion and Persistence in Publishing
31:26 • 19min
The Editor's Influence: Crafting Narratives
50:27 • 5min
Mythical Retellings: The Canongate Project
55:32 • 10min
Edinburgh vs. London: Perspectives and Partnerships
01:05:46 • 8min
The Digital Shift in Publishing
01:13:54 • 14min
The Resilience of Print in a Digital Age
01:27:25 • 14min
The Artistry of Letters and Lights of Poetry
01:41:12 • 3min
The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ
Philip Pullman
Letter to the Father
Brief an den Vater: Bilingual Edition (The Schocken Kafka Library)
Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka's "Letter to His Father" is a deeply personal and emotionally charged account of his complex relationship with his father, Hermann.
Written in 1902 but not published until after Kafka's death, the letter reveals Kafka's feelings of inadequacy and his father's overwhelming presence in his life.
It explores themes of parental authority, filial resentment, and the struggle for self-discovery.
The letter's raw honesty and introspective nature offer a poignant exploration of the father-son dynamic and the lasting impact of parental influence.
It remains a powerful testament to the complexities of family relationships and the enduring search for understanding and acceptance.
The Gift
The Form and Reason for Exchange in Archaic Societies
Marcel Mauss
In 'The Gift', Marcel Mauss explores the concept of gift exchange in various cultures, particularly in societies without monetary exchange or legal structures.
He argues that gifts are not freely given but are part of a complex system of social obligations involving giving, receiving, and reciprocating.
Mauss examines practices such as the potlatch among North American peoples and the kula in Melanesia, emphasizing the role of gifts in binding people together in a web of reciprocal commitments.
The book also discusses the spiritual and economic implications of gift-giving, highlighting its significance in understanding social relations and cultural practices.
Life of Pi
Yann Martel
Published in 2001, 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel tells the story of Piscine Molitor 'Pi' Patel, a teenage Indian boy from Pondicherry.
After a shipwreck, Pi finds himself stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with four wild animals: an orangutan, a zebra, a hyena, and a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
As the story unfolds, Pi must use his knowledge of animal behavior and his eclectic religious beliefs, which include Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, to survive.
The novel explores themes of spirituality, the conflict between man and nature, and the power of storytelling.
Pi's journey is a metaphor for how one practices and maintains faith during life's challenges, and it raises questions about the nature of reality and how it is perceived and told.
A Short History of Myth
Karen Armstrong
In 'A Short History of Myth', Karen Armstrong delves into the evolution of mythology from the earliest human societies to the present day.
The book covers six ages of myth, starting from around 20,000 BCE, and explains how myths served as a moral framework and helped people make sense of the world.
Armstrong argues that myths are essential for human well-being, providing a way to cope with emotions and find ultimate meaning and significance in life.
She also discusses the impact of the Enlightenment and the rise of scientific reasoning on the role of myths in modern society, emphasizing the need for myths in contemporary culture to foster compassion, empathy, and moral guidance.
Peanuts
Vince Guaraldi
Peanuts is a beloved comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz.
It features the adventures of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and their friends.
The strip is known for its humor, relatable characters, and exploration of universal themes.
It has been adapted into numerous television specials, films, and merchandise.
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig
The Midnight Library follows Nora Seed, a 35-year-old woman who feels trapped in a life filled with regret and disappointment.
After a series of devastating events, she attempts to end her life but instead finds herself in the Midnight Library, a limbo between life and death.
Here, guided by her childhood librarian Mrs. Elm, Nora can explore countless versions of her life by entering books that represent different paths she could have taken.
As she navigates these alternate lives, Nora must confront her regrets, understand the complexities of choice, and discover what truly makes a life worth living.
The novel delves into themes of regret, the meaning of life, and the importance of living in the present.
Dreams from My Father
A Story of Race and Inheritance
Barack Obama
In this memoir, Barack Obama recounts his early life, from his childhood in Hawaii and Kansas to his experiences in Chicago and Kenya.
The book delves into his search for identity as the son of a black African father and a white American mother, and his efforts to reconcile his divided inheritance.
It is a personal and reflective account of his encounters with racism, his family history, and his quest for community and understanding of his roots.
For the Time Being
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Cecil Day-Lewis
While not explicitly mentioned as a book in the transcript, "For the Time Being" is a poem by W.H.
Auden, referenced by Sean Johnson in relation to Cecil Day-Lewis's "The Christmas Tree.
" Auden's poem shares similar themes and imagery with Day-Lewis's work, particularly regarding the concept of vision and its transience.
The connection between the two poems highlights the influence and shared artistic sensibilities between Auden and Day-Lewis.
The shared themes and imagery suggest a deeper exploration of the cyclical nature of time and the enduring power of faith and hope.
The poems' shared vocabulary and imagery underscore their mutual influence and artistic kinship.
Weight
Jeanette Winterson
In 'Weight', Jeanette Winterson creatively reimagines the myth of Atlas and Heracles, weaving together elements of autobiography, history, and science.
The book delves into complex human themes such as boundaries, desires, and the tension between fate and free will.
Winterson's poetic prose brings a fresh perspective to the classic tale, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Blues People
Amiri Baraka
LeRoi Jones
The vulture
Gil Scott-Heron
Published in 1970, 'The Vulture' is a thriller set in lower Manhattan, exploring themes of gang violence, drug trafficking, and social issues through the narratives of four men who knew the victim, John Lee. The novel provides a vivid portrayal of life for young Black Americans in the late 1960s, with its complex characters and unexpected plot twists.
The Penelopiad
Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood's "The Penelopiad" offers a feminist reimagining of the classic Greek myth of Penelope and Odysseus.
Atwood gives voice to Penelope, retelling the story from her perspective and challenging traditional interpretations of her character.
The novel explores themes of female agency, power dynamics, and the complexities of marriage and relationships.
Atwood's writing style is both sharp and witty, blending historical context with contemporary sensibilities.
"The Penelopiad" is a powerful and thought-provoking work that reexamines a timeless myth through a modern lens.
The Nigger Factory
Gil Scott-Heron
The Nigger Factory, published in 1972, is Gil Scott-Heron's second novel.
It is set on the campus of Sutton University, a fictional historically Black college, and explores themes of resistance and social change amidst the Black Power movement.
The novel follows Earl Thomas, the student body president, as he navigates tensions between reform and revolution, reflecting Scott-Heron's own experiences with student radicalism and Black politics.
Black talk
Ben Sidran
In 'Black Talk', Ben Sidran explores how black music, particularly jazz, has played a pivotal role in shaping cultural identity and resistance.
The book discusses unique elements of black music, such as vocalized tone and rhythm, and their influence on creating a radical alternative to mainstream culture.
It is considered a significant work following LeRoi Jones's 'Blues People' in analyzing the social impact of black music.
Letters of note
Shaun Usher
Shaun Usher's "Letters of Note" is a collection of fascinating and often poignant letters from throughout history.
Usher's curation highlights the power of correspondence to reveal personal stories and historical events.
The book features a diverse range of letters, from famous figures to everyday individuals, showcasing the emotional depth and historical significance of written communication.
Usher's work is known for its engaging presentation and its ability to connect readers with the past.
"Letters of Note" is a captivating read that celebrates the enduring power of the written word.
Lion's Honey
Stuart Schoffman
David Grossman
In 'Lion's Honey', David Grossman offers a nuanced exploration of the biblical figure Samson, portraying him as a complex, lonely individual struggling with his divine mission.
The book delves into the emotional and psychological depths of Samson's story, providing a fresh perspective on this ancient myth.
Translated by Stuart Schoffman, it is part of The Myths series, which reimagines classic myths through contemporary lenses.
Jamie Byng is the CEO and publisher of the independent publishing firm Canongate Books.
When Canongate was on the verge of bankruptcy in 1994, Byng, then in his mid-20s, bought it with a business partner. His first move in overhauling the company's image was to establish the ultra-hip Payback and Rebel Inc. imprints, dedicated to championing cult authors. Over a series of years, the publisher became a radical underdog success story not only publishing wonderful books by Miranda July and The Mighty Boosh but also two books by an, at the time, little-known Senator in Barack Obama—Dreams From My Father and The Audacity of Hope. Jamie continues to be a maverick and taste-maker in the industry, taking chances on bold titles and authors and navigating an industry with an ever-consolidating base of power.
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