Encore: Colm Toibin on his early life and running away to Barcelona, Brooklyn and beyond

About this episode

Colm Toibin discusses his life experiences and the inspiration behind his novels.

The Irish novelist has always been open to where life can unexpectedly take him, and the excitement that comes with that kind of freedom. Colm Toibin's first big move was from rural Ireland to Dublin after his father died when he was young. Then, it was off to experience the wild hedonism and sexual liberation of post-Franco Spain, a pleasant shock after needing a prescription to buy condoms in Ireland. Since then, he's journeyed to Sudan, Los Angeles, New York and beyond. Wherever Colm goes, he keeps a running list in his head of tiny details — observations of seemingly mundane encounters, an offhand comment or the cut of a lady's suit on a train. Every now and then, these details bubble up in Colm's memory and another of his well-loved novels, like Brooklyn, Nora Webster or The Master, is born. This episode of Conversations was first broadcast in May 2025, the producer was Meggie Morris and the Executive Producer was Nicola Harrison. It explores film adaptations, death of a parent, grief, Ireland, homophobia, growing up gay, Catholicism, epic adventure, John Crowley, Nick Hornby, Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Julie Walters, Dublin, immigrant experience, the Irish immigrant…

People in this episode

Guest: Colm Toibin

Topics covered

• life journey
• immigrant experience
• grief
• sexual liberation
• family dynamics
• writing
• cultural reflection

Keywords

• Colm Toibin
• Irish novelist
• Barcelona
• Brooklyn
• immigrant experience
• grief
• Catholicism
• sexual liberation
• writing
• family dynamics

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Brooklyn, Nora Webster, The Master, Long Island

Places: Ireland, Dublin, Barcelona, Brooklyn, Sudan, Los Angeles, New York

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