Since publishing his first novel, ‘Flowers and Shadows’, at the age of 21 Ben Okri has established himself as one of Africa’s leading writers. He has established a name for himself across all mediums, from essay writing and the short story to poetry and the novel, even picking up the 1991 Booker Prize for his novel ‘The Famished Road’. It was poetry, however, that first drew him to writing.
Born in the city of Minna in west central Nigeria Ben spent much of his formative years in London while his father studied law. The family soon returned to Nigeria, however, and it was during this time that Ben was exposed to the nation’s rich spiritual storytelling tradition that so strongly influenced his later work. This time also saw Ben witness the horrors of the Biafran War and the charity of man as his father gave free or reduced legal aid to those in need.
By fourteen Ben had realised that his future lay in writing and he began writing articles and short stories that looked at social and political issues. He soon left for England where he studied comparative literature at Essex University. The funding for his scholarship was, however, cut and Ben found himself one of Britain’s many homeless. While many would be daunted by such a turn in fortunes Ben’s resolution to become a writer deepened during this time and ‘Flowers and Shadows’ was the result.
With a unique style that draws on the Nigerian tradition Ben weaves magical worlds where our reality is permeated by extra dimensions. Join Susan as she delves into the enchanted mind of Ben Okri and asks the great author about the mysteries and magic in life.
In the second part of the show we go on a journey with the walking correspondent for The Times newspaper, Christopher Somerville. Since ancient Greece and Homer’s epics man has been writing about adventuring and travels. This fascination has grown in recent years with an ever increasing market for travel writing. While a great deal of these books chronicle dangerous and death defying journeys across nations, continents, and oceans Christopher has kept his focus on leisurely country walks and slightly more strenuous hikes.
By ditching engines and wheels and relying instead on our own two feet we are afforded access to more of the earth’s paths and allowed more time to study them. For Christopher this is the only way to travel and gives us the opportunity to reconnect with nature and the wild. Focusing mainly on the walkways of Britain, Ireland, and Europe Christopher has written extensively on the joys and adventures of walking and the experiences and knowledge that can be gleaned from meandering along the paths of the world.
We take a look at the secret worlds that are unlocked by short walks down side roads, byways, or hidden paths. Join Susan and Christopher this Sunday as they talk about the walkways and landscapes of Ireland. What is so special about the paths around Ireland? How do they differ from the walkways of the rest of the world? And what can we learn by taking short trips down them?
