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Books and Authors

A Good Read: Sir Ian Blatchford and Charles Fernyhough

Nov 25, 2024
Join Sir Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group and a literary innovator, as he recommends the captivating 'Tokyo Express,' a thrilling tale of love and deception. Charles Fernyhough, a psychologist and author, passionately discusses the timeless 'Letters of Abelard and Heloise,' celebrating its complex love story and feminist philosophy. The conversation also delves into 'Soldiers of Salamis,' examining how memory and storytelling intertwine with history, particularly amidst the tumult of the Spanish Civil War.
27:52

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Sir Ian Blatchford highlights 'Tokyo Express' as a rich crime narrative revealing psychological complexity against Japan's cultural backdrop of societal expectations.
  • Charles Fernyhough emphasizes 'The Letters of Abelard and Heloise' as a profound early love story that showcases women's voices and philosophical thoughts in history.

Deep dives

The Intricacies of Tokyo Express

The novel Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto is a captivating blend of crime fiction and psychological depth. The storyline revolves around a young couple reportedly found dead on a remote beach, initially ruled as a suicide, but the detectives unravel a complex tapestry of motives behind the tragedy. The narrative features two detectives—a seasoned investigator nearing retirement and a young detective from Tokyo—whose contrasting perspectives contribute to the emotional and psychological layers of the story. Set against the backdrop of Japan's meticulous railway system, the novel also offers insights into cultural themes, such as the significance of timeliness and societal expectations, particularly in a historical context marked by governmental corruption.

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