This was deeply moving. On a line level and as a whole. You have a gift of describing people. You are the Michael Silverblatt of substack, bringing your audience into new worlds
Once while searching for James Ellroy interviews I came across one unlike all the rest, one where Ellroy broke away from his standard canned schtick and engaged in deep conversation. I regret not going back and researching the interviewer. I'll fix that now.
There were a couple with Ellroy -- one, I think, was a British guy, talking to him about THIS STORM, and then Silverblatt had a great talk with him about WHITE JAZZ
immediately went to spotify upon finishing this article and felt such joy as i scrolled and scrolled down all the episodes of bookworm, i’m so excited to get to know michael’s many worlds
Im glad to know it motivates a deep dive! I think the whole archive has now been made available on Spotify, so just search “Bookworm” and some of your favorite authors and you'll likely land on something great
Yep, I see the feed in my Overcast app. Starting with The Arc of Bookworm episode and then Maile Meloy on her superb story collection Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It.
Another convert! And yes, for a perfect starter episode I'd suggest checking out his conversation with Zadie Smith about her novel “On Beauty.” That's one of his all-time greats.
On the one hand I feel like I missed out on something important and beautiful. On the other hand, I'm glad you wrote about it so I can catch up. Another stellar piece.
Thank you for writing this special piece and moving tribute. I loved how you wove in your own feelings about Michael and Bookworm with those of the (more famous) authors he interviewed.
As a longtime Bookworm fan it pains me to know he had Alzheimer's. Cioran, Iris Murdoch. It hurts to find out these brilliant minds suffered such terminal diminishment, so the detail of Silverblatt fingering the books from his shelves, unable to read them but knowing he loved them, it's just devastating. This is a wonderful essay, thank you for posting it.
A very lovely tribute. And now I apparently have 30 years' worth of interviews to add to TBR, damn you.
Extraordinary, Alex! I’m keen on listening to his interviews after reading your moving and insightful piece. Thank you!
My feelings exactly
I found and listened to his interview with George Saunders, great 😊
This was deeply moving. On a line level and as a whole. You have a gift of describing people. You are the Michael Silverblatt of substack, bringing your audience into new worlds
That's an incredibly generous and warming compliment, thank you!
Once while searching for James Ellroy interviews I came across one unlike all the rest, one where Ellroy broke away from his standard canned schtick and engaged in deep conversation. I regret not going back and researching the interviewer. I'll fix that now.
There were a couple with Ellroy -- one, I think, was a British guy, talking to him about THIS STORM, and then Silverblatt had a great talk with him about WHITE JAZZ
Yes, it's the White Jazz episode.
Glad this piece got to see the light of day, it radiates love and admiration.
We're so lucky to have archives of Bookworm
immediately went to spotify upon finishing this article and felt such joy as i scrolled and scrolled down all the episodes of bookworm, i’m so excited to get to know michael’s many worlds
Wow, thank you for this. I’ve got a backlog to explore…
Im glad to know it motivates a deep dive! I think the whole archive has now been made available on Spotify, so just search “Bookworm” and some of your favorite authors and you'll likely land on something great
Yep, I see the feed in my Overcast app. Starting with The Arc of Bookworm episode and then Maile Meloy on her superb story collection Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It.
“I look forward to collecting that hug” 🥹
So excited to check out Bookworm, what are some of your favorite interviews?
Another convert! And yes, for a perfect starter episode I'd suggest checking out his conversation with Zadie Smith about her novel “On Beauty.” That's one of his all-time greats.
Perfect! White Teeth is on my reading list this year.
On the one hand I feel like I missed out on something important and beautiful. On the other hand, I'm glad you wrote about it so I can catch up. Another stellar piece.
Halfway through my 4th read of "Infinite Jest", omnipresent Michael's interview with Wallace .... RIP! Thank you for writing this!
Thank you. I loved his show and was crestfallen when it was taken off the air.
Thank you for writing this special piece and moving tribute. I loved how you wove in your own feelings about Michael and Bookworm with those of the (more famous) authors he interviewed.
A moving tribute, I very much enjoyed it
Thank you.
Beautiful
As a longtime Bookworm fan it pains me to know he had Alzheimer's. Cioran, Iris Murdoch. It hurts to find out these brilliant minds suffered such terminal diminishment, so the detail of Silverblatt fingering the books from his shelves, unable to read them but knowing he loved them, it's just devastating. This is a wonderful essay, thank you for posting it.