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Louise Kennedy, writer

Michael Berkeley's guest is Louise Kennedy, who worked as a chef for 30 years before deciding to become a writer and enjoying great success with her first novel, Trespasses.

After working as a chef for 30 years, Louise Kennedy changed course and became a writer.

Her first novel Trespasses enjoyed the kind of success every author dreams of. It won widespread acclaim and prizes, including best debut novel at the British Book Awards in 2023. It was also adapted as a drama series for Channel 4.

Louise was born in Belfast, and her writing draws on the world she grew up in: Trespasses is set in the 1970s and focuses on a love affair across the religious divide between a young Catholic teacher and a married Protestant lawyer.

Her most recent book, Stations, is set in the 1980s and is inspired by the young people who left Ireland to look for a new life in London – a path Louise herself followed.

Her musical passions include Mozart, Bach and Charlie Parker.

Presenter Michael Berkeley
Producer Clare Walker

27 days left to listen

1 hour, 26 minutes

Last on

Sunday12:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Seán Ó Riada

    Mise Eire

    Orchestra: RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Seán Ó Riada.
    • RADIO TEILIFÍS EIREANN.

  • Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

    The Kalendar Prince (Sheherazade)

    Orchestra: New York Philharmonic. Conductor: Leonard Bernstein.
    • Rimsky-Korsakov: Shéhérazade; Capriccio espagnol.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 2.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Horn Concerto no.1 in D (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Alec Frank-Gemmill. Orchestra: Swedish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Nicholas McGegan.
    • Mozart: Horn Concertos.
    • BIS.
    • 3.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no.7 in A (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: Malmö SymfoniOrkester. Conductor: Robert Treviño.
    • Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Live).
    • Ondine.
    • 402.

  • Charlie Parker

    Parker's Mood

    Performer: Charlie Parker. Performer: John Lewis. Performer: Curley Russell. Performer: Max Roach.
    • Best Of The Complete Savoy & Dial Studio Recordings.
    • Savoy.
    • 19.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Polonaise in A flat Op.53 'Heroic'

    Performer: Martha Argerich.
    • EMI.

  • The Doors

    Hyacinth House

    • L.A. Woman (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition).
    • Rhino/Elektra.
    • 7.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Herr, unser Herrscher (St. John Passion BWV.245)

    Ensemble: Pygmalion. Conductor: Raphaël Pichon.
    • J.S. Bach: Johannes-Passion, BWV 245.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 101.

  • Trad.

    Wayfaring Stranger

    Ensemble: Charlie Haden Quartet West.
    • Charlie Haden - The Best Of Quartet West.
    • Universal Music France.
    • 12.

Broadcast

  • Sunday12:00
    BBC Radio 3

Podcast