In our first podcast from the 2011 Edinburgh international book festival, we explore questions of identity and struggle as played out in the 20th-century.
Sebastian Barry's new novel, On Canaan's Side, is his third to be longlisted for the Man Booker prize. Set against the backdrop of the wars of the 20th century, it tells the story of Lily, who flees to the US from the sectarian scuffles that break out in Ireland in the wake of the first world war, only to find that violence has followed her across the water.
The poet and novelist Jackie Kay turned memoirist last year with her book Red Dust Road, an account of her search for her birth parents: a white Scottish woman, and a Nigerian man. Her writing reflects her grappling with the thorny issue of her own identity, and she reveals how this podcast has reconnected her with her family.
Finally, Charlotte Higgins divulges her tips for visitors to the festival, and tells us which are the hot tickets to chase.
Reading list
On Canaan's Side by Sebastian Barry (Faber)
Red Dust Road by Jackie Kay
