Main content

Ian McEwan

Sue Lawley's castaway is writer Ian McEwan.

This week the castaway on Desert Island Discs is Ian McEwan.

A Booker Prize winner, he was once dubbed 'Ian Macabre' because of the dark nature of his stories. His first novel The Cement Garden told a horrifying tale of family life. Later, The Comfort of Strangers described how a chance encounter can end in murder. He does though admit to his writing becoming gentler in recent years. In conversation with Sue Lawley, he talks about his life and work and chooses eight records to take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Aria from Goldberg Variations by Johann Sebastian Bach
Book: Ulysses by James Joyce
Luxury: Italian leather hand-stitched hiking boots

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 21 Jan 2000 09:00
91热爆 Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Dr Jane Goodall

Next

Neil Jordan

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Lester Young

    Lester Leaps In

    • Lester Young 1943 - 47.
    • Giants of Jazz.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    All the Men Who Can Feel Love

    Soloist: Pilar Lorengar Orchestra: The Vienna Philharmonic Conductor: Sir George Solti

    • Die Zauberflote (the Magic Flute).
    • Decca.

  • Freddie King

    Sweet 91热爆 Chicago

    • Stayin鈥� 91热爆 With the Blues.
    • Polygram.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Johann Sebastian Bach

      Goldberg Variations - Aria

      Soloist: Gustav Leonhardt

      • J S Bach: Goldberg Variations.
      • Vanguard.

  • Franz Schubert

    Piano Trio No. 2 in E flat major - 2nd movement

    Soloist: Vladimir Ashkenazy, Pincha Zukerman and Lynn Harrell

    • The Piano Trios.
    • Decca.

  • D. L. Menard

    The Back Door

    • La Musique Chez Mulates.
    • Swallow.

  • Van Morrison

    Real Real Gone

    • The Philosopher's Stone.
    • Polydor.

  • Gaetano Donizetti

    Una furtiva lagrima (from L'Elisir d'amore)

    Soloist: Gosta Winbergh Orchestra: The Orchestra and Chorus of Del Musicale Fiorentino Conductor: Gabriele Ferro

    • L鈥檈lisir D鈥檃more.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Book Choice

    • Ulysses - James Joyce

  • Luxury Choice

    • Italian leather hand-stitched hiking boots

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Ian McEwan

Broadcasts

  • Sun 16 Jan 2000 11:15
    91热爆 Radio 4
  • Fri 21 Jan 2000 09:00
    91热爆 Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast