Last month saw some of the world’s leading literary talent descend on Galway as the city played host to the Cúirt International Festival of Literature. Novelists, poets, and writers from around the world gave readings and talks, transforming the city into a hive of literary culture. Susan was able to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere there and had a chance to talk with some of the festival’s fantastic guests.

Joseph O’Neill’s latest novel, ‘The Dog’, tells the story of a man trying to rebuild his life in Dubai and the solitude of being a stranger in a foreign land. Susan spoke with Joseph at Cúirt about this novel and his life behind the pen. Join ‘Talking Books’ as Susan journeys into Dubai and the experience of a man isolated from the world by culture and heartache.

Rounding off the show Susan speaks with poets Naomi Shihab Nye and Nikola Madzirov. A self described ‘wandering poet’ Naomi has made her disparate background and the interconnectedness of people the focus of much of her poetry. Susan spoke to Naomi about her poetry, what it means to her, and why she writes it.

Nikola Madzirov was born in Macedonia in 1973. The son of Balkan War refugees nationality and his place in the world have been key parts of Nikola’s identity and poetry. At Cúirt he spoke to Susan about growing up in Macedonia, life under Tito’s rule, his sense of home, and how poetry acted as his passport to the wider world.