Nadifa Mohamed on Private Passions with Michael Berkeley 17th January 2021
Since the publication of her first novel while she was still in her twenties, Nadifa Mohamed has been a writer to watch. Her second novel, The Orchard of Lost Souls, won her the Somerset Maugham Award and gave her a place on the prestigious Granta List of Best Young Novelists. She’s about to publish her third novel, and is also turning it into an opera – a commission from the Royal Opera House. What’s striking in all her work is the epic sweep of her storytelling, which explores themes of exile and survival: her characters are caught up by war and love. Nadifa herself left Somali-land in northern Somalia when civil war broke out and she was only four when she came to Britain in 1985.
She talks to Michael Berkeley about her dramatic family history, and about her father, who was a travelling troubadour in Sudan. She pays tribute too to the Somali musician Hudeidi, who died of Covid this last April. He was her teacher on the oud for seven years, and her mentor, and she spent many evenings jamming with him in his west London flat. Her musical choices range from Pergolesi, Purcell and Vaughan Williams to Max Richter, Toumani Diabate and Louis Armstrong.
Produced by Elizabeth Burke
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 3
-
LIVE
Fed Reacts
4 hours agoThe Dark Future For Diddy w/ DJ Akademiks
2,215 watching -
LIVE
Due Dissidence
13 hours agoBiden FAILS AGAIN in ABC Interview, Trump HEDGES on Project 2025, UK Election Recap - w/ Ian Puddick
3,123 watching -
2:13:34
Nerdrotic
6 hours agoUnlocking the Stargates, Skinwalker Ranch | Forbidden Frontier #065
37.8K77 -
2:30:44
vivafrei
13 hours agoEp. 218: Biden DISASTER Continues! Trump Immunity FALLOUT! Europe in Turmoil! & MORE! Viva & Barnes
114K154 -
LIVE
Vigilant News Network
6 hours agoMedia Blackout: 10 News Stories They Chose Not to Tell You - Episode 30
3,055 watching -
36:08
Stephen Gardner
6 hours ago🔴Trump Lawyer EXPOSES Judges Juan Merchan & Arthur Engoron in NYC cases
50.5K190 -
4:30
Caleb Hammer
1 month ago27 Year Old Doesn't Give A Single Crap About His Finances
57.2K58 -
52:38
Squaring The Circle w/ Randall Carlson
11 hours ago#011 The Cosmos Speaks: The Tunguska Impact Event Pt.2 - Squaring The Circle
43.9K24 -
27:47
Degenerate Jay
12 hours agoWatch Dogs Is An Underrated Gem - Watch Dogs Game Review
54.6K16 -
51:00
Sports Wars
12 hours agoBronny James Has DISASTROUS Debut, Caitlin Clark HATE Reaches New Level, Vikings Rookie DB Tragedy
78.2K45