1:00 PM: Thursdays
Bookwaves/Artwaves presents in-depth interviews with authors of fiction and narrative non-fiction, delving deeply into political and social issues, literary technique, and the life of the author, along with interviews devoted to theatre and film, and archive interviews from Bookwaves and Probabilities. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
John Barth (1930-2024), America’s master of metafiction, died on April 2, 2024 at the age of 93. He talks about his career and his writing with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff in an interview conducted in 2001 while on tour for the novel, “Coming Soon.” Also: An excerpt from a 2014 interview with short story master Lorrie Moore, and a review of “The Return,” a Golden Thread production at the Garret at the Toni Rembe Theatre through August 24, 2025. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Nature writer Rob Macfarlane discusses his latest book, “Is A River Alive?” which takes us to three different kinds of rivers – a cloud forest in South America, a dying river in India, and an undammed river in Canada. He also discusses the state of environmental issues today. Also: A review of “My Fair Lady” at San Francisco Playhouse through September 13, 2025. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Masters of Science Fiction: Isaac Asimov (1920-1992), recorded in New York City on August 10, 1983. Ray Bradbuy (1920-2012) recorded in Los Angeles in 1992.
Fund Drive Special: Gore Vidal discussing his novel “The Golden Age” in 2000. Change the names and the interview could have been recorded in 2025. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky and Laura Prives. See listing for links to theatre and bookstore calendars.
Martin Cruz Smith (1942-2025), noted novelist of literary and genre fiction, best known for “Gorky Park” and the Arkady Renko series of detective novels. Part One: Interview recorded December, 2004 while on tour for the novel “Wolves Eat Dogs.” Part Two: Interview recorded December, 2013 while on tour for the novel “Tatiana.” Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Colm Tóibín discusses his latest novel, “Long Island,” which follows characters from his earlier best-seller, “Brooklyn” twenty years later. Martin Amis (1949-2023), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studio on a book tour for “The Zone of Interest,” October 29, 2014. Plus review of “& Juliet” at the Orpheum through July 27. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Vauhini Vara, former tech reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Pulitzer Prize finalist for her novel, “The Immortal King Rao,” discusses her latest book, “Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age” which discusses how digital technologies and the internet influence and reshape personal identity. Also: A review of “Aztlan” by Luis Alfaro, at the Magic Theatre through July 13th. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Pride Month: Novelist and biographer David Leavitt discusses the career of gay mathematician Alan Turing in an interview recorded in November, 2005. Playwright Terrence McNally (1938-2020) talks about his work and its relation to gay themes in this 2004 interview. Plus: Reviews of “Co-Founders” at ACT Strand Theatre and “Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” at ThaetreWorks Mountain View. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Pride Month: John Fisher of Theatre Rhino discusses his play, “The Doodler”, now at the Marsh in San Francisco. The late Edmund White (1940-2025) discusses his memoir, “My Lives: An Autobiography,” recorded May 4, 2006. This extended version has never aired. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Edmund White (1940-2025) in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA Studios, September 20, 2012 while on tour for the novel “Jack Holmes and His Friend” and February 17, 2014 while on tour for “Inside a Pearl: My Years in Paris.” Edmund White, who died on June 3, 2025 at the age of 85, was often called the Grandfather of gay literature. Equally at home writing novels, biographies, plays, memoirs, essays and various hybrids, he was a pioneer in the LBGT world. Photo: David Shankbone.
