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Armistead Maupin

Kirsty Young's castaway is writer Armistead Maupin.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the author Armistead Maupin. Regarded as one of the 'great social satirists of his era', he made his name with his Tales of the City novels, chronicling the shifting cultural landscape of San Francisco throughout the 1970s and 80s. He's written about the search for love and acceptance by a diverse cast of characters, but he was also one of the first novelists to portray the devastating impact of the newly emerging threat of HIV/Aids.

His iconic status as a gay writer and political activist couldn't be further from his background, growing up in the genteel American South, with a 'neo-fascist, arch-conservative' father. Armistead tells Kirsty about his transition to the other end of the political spectrum, and how his life has become inseparable from his work.

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

Favourite track: The reprise of Wicked Little Town by Tommy Gnosis
Book: The Cole Porter Songbook by Cole Porter
Luxury: Vaporiser.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 30 Nov 2007 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Eliza Manningham-Buller

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Steven Isserlis

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Music Played

  • Patti Page

    Mockin' Bird Hill

    • Patti Page’s Golden Hits.
    • Mercury.

  • Audrey Hepburn

    Moon River

    • Music from the films of Audrey Hepburn.
    • Warner.

  • Eagles

    Desperado

    • The Complete Greatest Hits.
    • Warner.

  • Liza Minnelli

    Maybe This Time

    • Cabaret: Original film soundtrack.
    • MCA.

  • Julie Andrews and Tony Roberts

    You and Me (from Victor/Victoria)

    • Victor/Victoria.
    • Decca.

  • k.d. lang

    Hallelujah

    • Hymns of the 49th Parallel.
    • Nonesuch.

  • John Mayer

    The Heart of Life

    • Continum: John Mayer.
    • Columbia.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Tommy Gnosis

      The reprise of Wicked Little Town

      • Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
      • Atlantic.

  • Book Choice

    • The Cole Porter Songbook - Cole Porter

  • Luxury Choice

    • Vaporiser

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Armistead Maupin

Broadcasts

  • Sun 25 Nov 2007 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 30 Nov 2007 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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