What happens when a man can't stop his drive and desire for more? Author Andrew O'Hagan dissects the pitfalls of more money, more success and more applause (R)

Andrew O’Hagan is the author of several highly acclaimed novels.

His most recent book is a sweeping portrait of modern-day London, a city ‘levitating on a sea of dirty Russian money’.

The main character, Campbell Flynn, is much like Andrew himself: a public intellectual who escaped from the Scottish council estate he grew up in and came to London to enjoy great success.

But success, a big house, a loving family and expensive habits are not enough.

Campbell is a man riding for a fall, and there will be many spectators at the final hurrah, when his life comes tumbling down.

Further information

First Broadcast May 2024, and recorded at the Melbourne Writers' Festival.

Caledonian Road is published by Allen & Unwin.

Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

To binge even more great episodes of the ‘Conversations podcast’ with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

What Shawn has learned