The Book Club Nicola Barker: TonyInterruptor
Aug 6, 2025
Nicola Barker, a renowned novelist known for her exploration of interruption and freedom of expression, discusses her latest work, *Tony Interrupter*. She dives into how an unexpected disruption at a free jazz concert reflects on artistic freedom and community norms. Their conversation touches on the evolution of digital narratives and the impact of social media on storytelling. With a humorous anecdote about visiting Martin Amis, Barker shares her thoughts on language, reality TV's influence on creativity, and the delicate balance of spontaneity in her writing.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Interruption Challenges Artistic Freedom
- The concept of interruption questions freedom and expectations in art, especially in free jazz.
- Interruption disturbs people because it challenges accepted norms in that context.
Experimental Art Needs Rebels
- Experimental art is hard to create and often misunderstood or disliked.
- Society needs rebellious outliers who challenge norms, despite their difficulty to be accepted.
Novel's Relevance in Crisis
- Nicola Barker feels the novel form is increasingly irrelevant in a rapidly changing world.
- Yet this very crisis might make the novel more important as it reflects cultural and psychological shifts.
