The Start of Something by Holly Williams is a novel that follows ten characters over the course of a summer, weaving their stories together through a series of interconnected encounters. It explores themes of identity, love, and the complexities of human relationships, offering a nuanced and compassionate portrayal of contemporary life. The book is praised for its clever structure and its ability to tackle contentious themes with humor and empathy.
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan delves into the lives of the Green family, an Irish immigrant family living in London. The story unfolds around a tragic event involving a child's death and the subsequent investigation, which exposes the family's deep-seated issues and personal tragedies. Through multiple perspectives, Nolan explores themes of family, trauma, and the complexities of human relationships.
Megan Nolan's "Acts of Desperation" is a novel that explores the complexities of a toxic relationship with unflinching honesty. The story follows the narrator's descent into a consuming and ultimately destructive romance. Nolan's writing is characterized by its raw emotionality and unflinching portrayal of difficult themes. The novel delves into the psychological aspects of unhealthy relationships, exploring the fine line between desire and misery. The narrator's experiences resonate with readers who have experienced similar dynamics. The novel's exploration of self-destruction and the search for meaning in the face of heartbreak is both poignant and unsettling.
Megan Nolan is an Irish journalist and author who has made a name for herself by cutting to the quick of the most uncomfortable facets of the human experience. She first appeared on Intelligence Squared to discuss her widely acclaimed debut, Acts of Desperation, back in 2022 and she returns now with her latest novel, Ordinary Human Failings, which follows a family and a tabloid journalist embroiled in a harrowing murder, which was recently selected for the Women’s Fiction Prize longlist. In this episode Nolan discusses her recent rise to fame, the nuances involved in depicting intergenerational trauma and her plans for future writing with fellow writer and critic Holly Williams, whose own latest novel is The Start of Something.
We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/is for £100 sponsored credit.
If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all of our longer form interviews and Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.
For £4.99 per month you'll also receive:
- Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts
- Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
- 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events
- Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox
...
Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99:
- Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts
- Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
...
Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more
...
Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more.
https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Intelligence Squared 
