Boarding School Britain and The Things We Normalise | Hugo Rifkind
Summary
Hugo Rifkin discusses his novel *Rabbits*, which explores the brutal culture of a 1990s Scottish boarding school and its impact on masculinity. He reflects on his Orthodox Jewish upbringing, his father’s political career, and the complexities of Jewish identity in modern Britain. The conversation also covers his journalistic values, the nature of human connection, and the societal failure to address latent violence in teenage boys.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Hugo Rifkin and the episode theme
Defining what is sacred: connection and being seen
The pull to journalism and shaping public perception
Childhood: Jewish heritage, Christian boarding school, and political family
Navigating Jewish identity, faith, and community tensions
Israel, Gaza, and the complexity of Jewish identity
Writing 'The School' and exposing boarding school abuse
Specific bullying tactics: bed posting, trunking, and fagging
Latent violence in boys and the failure of modern education
Raising boys, masculinity, and personal philosophy on kindness
Humor, column writing, and the role of the journalist
Navigating political controversy and misinterpretation
Growing up in the orbit of British political power
Conclusion: Empathy, identity, and final thoughts
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