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Alice Walker

Alice Walker, Pulizter prize-winning author of The Color Purple, is interviewed by Kirsty Young.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the Pulitzer Prize winning writer Alice Walker.

Author, poet, feminist and activist, it was her novel The Color Purple that brought her worldwide attention and acclaim. The story of a poor black girl surviving in the deep American south, between the wars, it is a landmark work, disturbing and exhilarating in equal measure.

If one subscribes to the idea that "art is a wound turned to light", then Alice Walker's early life proved crucial to her future creations. Shot and blinded in one eye by her brother's BB gun it was through the isolation of her injury that she began to write. She once described poetry as "medicine".

She has also said, "I know the world's a mess, but there's so much that's gorgeous in it. I wish everybody could have what I have."

Producer: Cathy Drysdale.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 24 May 2013 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Stevie Wonder

      As

      • Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection CD2.
      • Verve.

  • Archie Roach

    Took the Children Away

    • Charcoal Lane.
    • Mushroom Imports.

  • Jennifer Berezan

    Returning

    • Edge of Wonder.
    • Edge of Wonder.

  • Jerry Butler

    For Your Precious Love

    • Everybody Loves Somebody.
    • Demon.

  • Imee Ooi

    The Chant of Metta 2

    • Chant of Metta.
    • Blue Angel Gallery.

  • Tracy Chapman

    The Promise

    • Tracy Chapman: The Collection..
    • Elektra.

  • John Lennon

    Mother (feat. Plastic Ono Band)

    • Lennon Box Set 1.
    • EMI.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 9 in D minor 'Choral' - Ode to Joy

    Performer: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Sir Georg Solti

    • The World of Beethoven.
    • Decca.

  • Book Choice

    • Human Race Get Off Your Knees: The Lion Sleeps No More - David Icke

  • Luxury Choice

    • Solar power vitamix

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Alice Walker
Producer Cathy Drysdale

Broadcasts

  • Sun 19 May 2013 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
  • Fri 24 May 2013 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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