Friday, May 12, 2006

Happy with Hari

It was good to hear about Hari Kunzru's readings at Kinokuniya and know that so many people enjoyed meeting him. (Ted has a good account of it, and Eric a couple of pictures. )

Now I'm jealous. I couldn't go because I had to get the article about him written (should be in Starmag Sunday), and then last night I was teaching so I couldn't go to Borders. Not fair!!!

But I did have him all to myself for the interview and that was fun. He's very much the kind of bloke you'd like to sit and chat to (especially about books!) for hours down the pub. Formidably intelligent, sure, but very down-to-earth and warm.

The article was tough to write - how on earth do you do justice to such a fascinating writer in just 800 words? I had to just trim trim trim everything down to the bare bones, and although the stuff I got on tape was fascinating, I could only use little snippets of it. (Note to self: really ought to transcribe the whole thing.)

14 comments:

Ted Mahsun said...

Transcribing it is a good idea! Then you could post the uncut version here. Or you could post the audio up instead. But I suppose that would be too much work?

bibliobibuli said...

yes, it should be posted up somewhere - let me think how - it really isn't fair to sit on this material ...

q said...

ehem:
http://flickr.com/photos/shafina/144521535/
http://flickr.com/photos/shafina/144512369/

:-D

i had to rush off after getting my books signed so didn't get to chat *cries*

Ted Mahsun said...

q: oho! so you were the one sitting in that corner :D

sharon: could I ask a tiny widdle favour? Could you change the link to my blog to this instead? The Hari Kunzru post has been pushed down a bit and I'm afraid ppl won't scroll down. Thanks!

Ted Mahsun said...

Gah! Wrong link, I meant this one. Sorry.

q said...

hehe yea, that was me - came in running, but got the best seat so hey! and went out running - almost stumbled down the stairs (phew) but my book did instead, picked up by an older couple, after which the lady said a little prayer (for me? thank you whoever it was).

(luckily my new friend came to sit with m)

and which one were you?

Ted Mahsun said...

Er... I was the one "manning" the free coffee table. I came in late too.

bibliobibuli said...

q - great pictures! didn't he look handsome! i'm even more jealous now!

ted - yes - i tried to find the direct link but couldn't ...

Ted Mahsun said...

Right! Off I go to change the template :D The direct link's actually on the timestamp of the blogpost.

Lydia Teh said...

Yes, Sharon, please transcribe the entire interview and let us read it here.

sharanya said...

Oh no -- too bad you couldn't make it, but at least the solo time with him made up for it! Please do transcribe, podcast, or otherwise let the rest of us eavesdrop.

Btw, I have plagiarised the title of this post for my own blog. Got a nice pic with him. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm Agnes, went to Kinokuniya to attend handsome Hari's reading. I remember someone mentioned Hari have a blog site. There were too many pretty girls around him at the end of the session. Anyone knows Hari's blog?

Ted Mahsun said...

Not a blog, but a website: here

bibliobibuli said...

lydia, sharanya - yes will do

lovely pic sharanya

hi agnes - hope you found the site - it really is great with a lot to read