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ABC RN Arts

Lessons in life, mortality and love from Julian Barnes

May 30, 2022
Julian Barnes, a Booker winner, reflects on his novel 'Elizabeth Finch' and the impact of influential teachers. He discusses his journey from atheist to agnostic, muses on mortality and immortality in writing, and shares insights on his writing process and personal growth over four decades.
54:06

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Julian Barnes' upbringing in a family of teachers shaped his writing style to prompt moral contemplation.
  • Barnes recalls a childhood devoid of deep intellectual discourse and contrasts it with modern distractions.

Deep dives

Julian Barnes' Family Legacy in Teaching

Julian Barnes comes from a lineage of teachers, including several generations before him, shaping his upbringing in an environment emphasizing hard work without oppressive expectations. This familial influence steered Barnes away from didactic writing, fostering a narrative approach that prompts readers to ponder various moral questions and hypotheses. Despite the educational backdrop at home, discussions rarely delved into complex ideas, marking a distinct separation between familial dynamics and scholarly pursuits.

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