books review

Hanif Kureishi: Meet the Author

Edinburgh International Book Festival

Hanif Kureishi's refusal to shy away from the taboo subject of madness is commendable. Although he argued that reading and writing can be a form of therapy and that writing is a symptom of madness, he retracted what he said at the Hay Festival - that students and teachers on creative writing courses are mad - but maintained that the system of creative writing courses is mad. As a teacher, he also suggested that teaching is morally rewarding, unlike being an artist "when you don't feel as if you're a good person". Although he has a simultaneously dislikeable but amusing arrogance, he spoke at a deep and honest level and his ability to do that is surely a reason for his success.

RBS Main Theatre, 17 Aug, 11.30 am (12.30pm), £9.00 (£7.00)

published: Aug-2008

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