Nick Laird & Zadie Smith Talk to John Mullan

Queen’s Park residents Zadie Smith and Nick Laird read from their latest books and talk about their work and teaching at New York University. Zadie’s most recent book Feel Free is a collection of essays. Nick’s novel Modern Gods is just out in paperback and his new poetry collection Feel
Free was published in 2018. They discuss writing, reading, poetry and teaching with John Mullan,
Professor of English at University College London and regular contributor to the Guardian.

[@minamansri7732]

The way they talk about the same book is another definition of love

[@Kobe29261]

Authorship is like a super-power; like being a musician - a tune appears in your head and in 6 months people on the other side of the world are grooving to it!

[@hollowparcel]

The way she just ruthlessly bent back the binding of her own book

[@nmaurok]

brilliant interview as always, nice to see Nick and Zadie together. poor questions sadly...

[@kimm.8718]

Why the shot at @37:52? What purpose does it serve? Why that particular woman? What are we supposed to make of her expression (or lack thereof)?

[@atkinspea]

Super "fun" to watch the beginning minutes unaware that Laird and Smith are married. I kept thinking "Look at that dude take over the physical space on the couch, like he owns the whole thing." Interesting! (Love her novel "White Teeth," her essays; like the poem he reads at the start.)

[@muoian]

Me watching their interview in March 2021 , and listening them critique the internet as a time suck .... Hahahah

[@nmaurok]

this is definitely one of the better time-sucks!

[@phlarrdboi]

i love their man-bags

[@kimm.8718]

Why does Nick temporarily grasp Zadie's hand at @41:10? That particular gesture falls somewhere between reassurance, appreciation and irritation.

[@leonore3349]

I don't see irritation. He seems concerned, but I don't know why.

[@GIBKEL]

Modern life is getting really complicated. That’s some dank dark pros....complicity without permission.

[@painbow6528]

Must be hard for him, being talentless and married to someone much more successful.

[@ghy518]

If you’re envious or jealous then just say it. No need to be nasty