Sebastian Faulkes: Farewell to Eden
Summary
Sebastian Faulks discusses his novel "Farewell to Eden," which interweaves the lives of a WWII veteran and a music teacher in 1950s England with the complex history of the British Mandate in Palestine. The conversation explores themes of faith, the moral ambiguity of music, and the intricate tensions between Jewish and Arab populations during the state of Israel's formation. Faulks also shares how his father’s service in the region influenced the book’s historical accuracy and reflects on the creative process of balancing detailed research with character-driven storytelling.
Topics discussed
Introduction to 'Farewell to Eden' by Sebastian Faulks
Novel structure and the friendship between Philip and Frances
Themes of belief, religion, and the setting of the boarding school
Personal reflections on faith and the value of church attendance
The nature of music: morality, transcendence, and neurological response
Historical context: The British Mandate in Palestine and Faulks' father
Complexities of Arab-Jewish relations and British occupation
Perspectives on the Holocaust, immigration, and the 'Promised Land'
Plot surprises and the novel's core as a love story
The writing process: roadmap, character development, and revision
Historical accuracy and the romance of post-war London
Character development and closing remarks
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