DeepSummary
In this episode of Desert Island Discs, Lauren Laverne interviews Irish author John Boyne, best known for his novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Boyne discusses his childhood in Dublin, his early love for writing, and the profound impact The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas had on his career, selling over 11 million copies and being adapted into various formats.
Boyne also opens up about his experiences of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of teachers during his time at a Catholic school in Dublin. He reflects on how writing became a therapeutic outlet for him, especially when addressing difficult topics like abuse within the church in his book A History of Loneliness.
The interview covers Boyne's musical influences, from nostalgic childhood songs to artists like Kate Bush, whose music has inspired his writing process. He also shares stories about pivotal moments in his career, such as the publication of his first novel and his decision to leave his job at a bookstore to pursue writing full-time.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- John Boyne's novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was a literary phenomenon, selling over 11 million copies and being adapted into various formats.
- Boyne experienced sexual and physical abuse from teachers during his time at a Catholic school in Dublin, which later influenced his writing.
- Writing became a therapeutic outlet for Boyne, particularly when addressing difficult topics like abuse within the church.
- Music and literature played a significant role in Boyne's childhood and influenced his love for storytelling.
- Boyne's decision to leave his job at a bookstore to pursue writing full-time was a pivotal moment in his career.
- The end of a long-term relationship was a difficult period for Boyne, but writing helped him cope with the associated pain and emotional turmoil.
- Boyne's creative process involves a preference for silence during the initial drafting stage, followed by the ability to write on the road once the first draft is complete.
- Boyne's ultimate goal is to showcase a progression and maturation in his writing style throughout his body of work.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I want to push myself with each book. At the end of my life, I'd like to see a progression through a body of work, from youthful energy like a puppy dog jumping all over the place to a much more thoughtful and introspective style.“ by John Boyne
- “When I'm writing a first draft of a book, I need silence, and I prefer to be at home in Dublin for that. However, once that first draft is done, I can take that on the road.“ by John Boyne
- “I went home. I emailed the area manager with about, you know, seven pints in me and emailed the area manager and said, I'm out. I won't be back tomorrow and I won't be back again. Woke up the next morning and I was like, what have I done? But I stuck to it. I never went back.“ by John Boyne
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Episode Information
Desert Island Discs
BBC Radio 4
6/22/24
The Irish writer John Boyne is best known for his 2006 novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which became a literary phenomenon, selling more than 11 million copies around the world. It was translated into 60 languages and adapted into a film, a play, a ballet and an opera. He has written more than two dozen books, including a number of titles for younger readers.
He was born in Dublin in 1971, and had ambitions to become a writer from an early age. He studied English Literature at Trinity College Dublin, followed by a Master’s degree in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. From the mid-1990s, he spent seven years working at a bookshop in Dublin, while trying to launch his literary career.
Many of his books have historical settings: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is the story of two boys – one German, one Jewish – during the Holocaust; other books have taken inspiration from the Mutiny on the Bounty and Tsarist Russia. More recently, he’s addressed sexual and physical abuse within the Catholic church in Ireland, drawing in part on his own experiences at school.
He lives in Dublin, not far from where he grew up.
DISC ONE: Bright Eyes - Art Garfunkel DISC TWO: The Sound of Music - Julie Andrews DISC THREE: Elton's Song - Elton John DISC FOUR: Take on Me - A-ha DISC FIVE: Lullaby for Cain (Instrumental) - Sinéad O'Connor DISC SIX: Extract from String Quartet No. 4, composed by Noah Max and performed by The Tippett Quartet DISC SEVEN: Make Your Own Kind of Music - Mama Cass DISC EIGHT: Night of the Swallow - Kate Bush
BOOK CHOICE: The Waste Land by T. S. Eliot LUXURY ITEM: A cinema screen showing The Devil Wears Prada CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Night of the Swallow - Kate Bush
Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Sarah Taylor