For the latest podcast Ali caught up with writer and academic Dr Rodge Glass to learn about his extraordinary new book, Joshua In The Sky: A Blood Memoir.
It's a slightly different interview as Ali picks certain texts which are referenced throughout, allowing Rodge to talk about the book in a different way. Before that he explains who Joshua is and the reasons for writing Joshua In The Sky, and talks about HHT (Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia) the rare genetic disorder they share.
The two then go on to talk about the work of Caroline Bird, Jenny Offill, Tom Leonard, Hassan Blasim, and Grace Paley, among others. They also discuss the life and work of Alasdair Gray and Michel Faber, both of whom Rodge has written biographies of, which raises the subject of memoir, the differing ways to approach the form, and how both these writers, and writing about them, feed into this one.
Fittingly for a book which defies easy explanation, this is an insightful and honest conversation which touches upon just some of the themes in Joshua In The Sky and which will hopefully lead to you wanting to know more.
For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com
Photos of Rodge Glass - credit Alan Dimmick
Rodge Glass